nancyinnewjersey
06-21-2002, 09:53 PM
Hi! I hope some of you can help me. I am a 47 year old female, in excellent health, not overweight, with normal blood pressure. I exercise very regularly and am very fit. You can imagine my surprise when I got my bloodwork back!
Total Cholesterol 270
Triglicerides 168
HDL 66
VLDL (whatever that is!) 33
LDL 170
LDL/HDL Ratio 2.5
When I called my internist to discuss these numbers, he said something about "family history" (which I DO have) and doctors coming under fire for "undertreating women." He then put me on 40 mgs. of Zocor daily.
I would love to hear from all of you as to what you think of my numbers and my doctors' suggested treatment. Thank you so very much!
Total Cholesterol 270
Triglicerides 168
HDL 66
VLDL (whatever that is!) 33
LDL 170
LDL/HDL Ratio 2.5
When I called my internist to discuss these numbers, he said something about "family history" (which I DO have) and doctors coming under fire for "undertreating women." He then put me on 40 mgs. of Zocor daily.
I would love to hear from all of you as to what you think of my numbers and my doctors' suggested treatment. Thank you so very much!
Sponsor
JJ
06-22-2002, 01:30 AM
Did he give U an option of trying to lower the numbers with diet? Even though U have family history of cholesterol problems, I don't see where your numbers are that bad. Maybe a slight change in diet, especially less carbs. might just do the trick for you.
I would call and ask if he/she thinks it is worth a try. JMHO.... Good luck!! :) JJ
I would call and ask if he/she thinks it is worth a try. JMHO.... Good luck!! :) JJ
nancyinnewjersey
06-22-2002, 08:18 AM
Hi JJ~ Thank you so much for your reply! I kind of thought my numbers were not so unmanageable that I couldn't at least attempt to lower them through my diet (altho honestly I don't eat badly at all.) Has anyone ever lowered their numbers significantly through diet?
HMason
06-22-2002, 10:05 AM
Hi Nancy
I've been taking Lipitor for 2 years (similar to Zocor) with great results. Overall chol has been reduced from 240 to 160. Your LDL and Triglycerides are too high and the Zocor will bring both numbers to good levels. 40 mg sounds a bit much but your Doc should know best. I do 10 mg of Lipitor. Take it in the evening b4 bed because your cholesterol rises naturally during the nite. Trying to reduce your LDL (should be 100 or less) and Triglycerides (should be 100 or less) by diet alone will not work. Not to worry - I think your on the right track. Good luck!
I've been taking Lipitor for 2 years (similar to Zocor) with great results. Overall chol has been reduced from 240 to 160. Your LDL and Triglycerides are too high and the Zocor will bring both numbers to good levels. 40 mg sounds a bit much but your Doc should know best. I do 10 mg of Lipitor. Take it in the evening b4 bed because your cholesterol rises naturally during the nite. Trying to reduce your LDL (should be 100 or less) and Triglycerides (should be 100 or less) by diet alone will not work. Not to worry - I think your on the right track. Good luck!
JJ
06-22-2002, 12:03 PM
Nancy, I would ask to at least have a 6 months try of changeing your diet. I know U said U eat well and exercise, but there just might be something U could change? I know most folks that have done well with diet have really cut back on carbs. like , potatoes, pasta, bread etc. Then again there are folks like myself and hubby who seem to get nowhere with diet and exercise, but we took the statins and some fibrates and got lousy side effects, so ours is a never ending battle. :(
I know when I took the Lipitor and the Baycol, both brought my numbers down 98 pts. in a month, I was well into the 160's and hubby was into the 140's. If U can take those drugs they do work, but alot of us can't
so the search goes on. Good luck with which ever method you do and keep us posted. :wave: JJ
I know when I took the Lipitor and the Baycol, both brought my numbers down 98 pts. in a month, I was well into the 160's and hubby was into the 140's. If U can take those drugs they do work, but alot of us can't
so the search goes on. Good luck with which ever method you do and keep us posted. :wave: JJ
nancyinnewjersey
06-22-2002, 03:06 PM
You have all been so wonderful and kind with your replies. Thank you so much!
(By the way, I am kind of a big carb eater~ it's so unfair, I thought they were OK to eat!!!! I'll try to cut back on them though. Is cold cereal OK?)
(By the way, I am kind of a big carb eater~ it's so unfair, I thought they were OK to eat!!!! I'll try to cut back on them though. Is cold cereal OK?)
JJ
06-22-2002, 06:53 PM
Well for years they told all of us to lay off meats, eggs etc. and eat alot of pasta, now they have done a complete turn around. I'm not saying to go on a high fat diet, although some have and had good results, I am not one of them. Hubby's cardiologist told him just 2 weeks ago a few eggs a week a fine. I asked if his love of bread, especially Italian is bad and he admitted yes, high carbs. are not good, especially for someone like him with high Trigs. I certainly think cereal is fine, but try to go for something like oatmeal or Cherrios, as they have low sodium, sugar and less carbs. then those lousy kid things. Also try to get some extra fruit and veggies in, especially a darn good salad. I love salads, but being in New England, it is almost a seasonal thing, as during the winter it is that hothouse junk and I can't stand the taste. Thank goodness for summer and all the fresh fruit and produce stands coming!! :) JJ
lookingood442
07-07-2002, 03:40 PM
15 yr.s ago my colesterol was 360 so the doctor put me on lipitor. Last month my colesterol was 49 and my doctor (new one) cut my meds in half. It does work but you do need to monitor your blood. I started to late in life with the meds because 5 yr.s ago i had angeo plasty (ballon used to open one of my heart arteries that was 60% blocked) so i feel its never to early in life to start monitoring your vital signs. I just turned 67 and feel like s*&* because i also have phebitis, hypogysemic, neuropthay, herniated disc, arthritis and a blown knee that needs surgery but what the hell, i'm still alive.
JJ
07-07-2002, 04:41 PM
Sorry for all your problems, but did you say, or was that a typo, your cholesterol is 49???? Good grief, I have never heard of anyone with a cholesterol that low, and your dr. just cut your meds. in half? Sorry but something isn't adding up here, as if that was not a type of 49 then U by all means do NOT need to be on any meds. Take care and let us know if that was a typo or not, cause your dr. is nuts if he keeps U on meds, with a 49 cholesterol. :( JJ
TruthSearcher
08-07-2002, 01:26 PM
My numbers are very similar to yours...I too, exercise regulary, don't smoke and am very fit at age 41. I declined my doctors prescription for Lipitor and don't worry at all about cholesterol anymore.
I urge you to read about some of the startling truths concerning cholesterol..Since I am not allowed to post website links here, please do a search on
Uffe Ravnskov, Cholesterol Myths.
This will tell you everything you need to know about cholesterol.. And PLEASE..Insist that your doctor read this too.
For Women especially, there is absolutely NO correlation between high cholesterol and heart disease. In fact, studies have shown people with high cholesterol live longer!
You sound like you're very healthy. Enjoy life and stop worrying.
I urge you to read about some of the startling truths concerning cholesterol..Since I am not allowed to post website links here, please do a search on
Uffe Ravnskov, Cholesterol Myths.
This will tell you everything you need to know about cholesterol.. And PLEASE..Insist that your doctor read this too.
For Women especially, there is absolutely NO correlation between high cholesterol and heart disease. In fact, studies have shown people with high cholesterol live longer!
You sound like you're very healthy. Enjoy life and stop worrying.