Hi

my cholestrol is 7.46 mmol/L and HDL 3.95mmol/L
Triglycerides 3.95mmol/L

My doctor advised that I take Zocor 20mg every night.

Recently, however I have been having a numbing tingling sensation which alternate between both hands and often a crushing pain in my chest and a very strange feeling in my legs.At times I feel like I am going to have a seizure !.

On some days I'm just fine with no side effects.

This is very depressing and I would like some input on what I ought to do perhaps with a combination of diet and exercise so as not to be dependendent on Zocor which I am told can damage liver/kidney/pancrea functions.


HELP!

Le Roi

I am not understanding why they put you on Zocor if these are your pre Zocor numbers? Your triglycerides are great, your HDL is fantastic, your LDL is just right on the border of where they want people to be (those without risk of CHD). I can't understand why a slight change in diet was not suggested, to try to reduce your LDL on your own?

Unless I messed up somewhere in my calculations, putting these in units of mg/dL, yields your TC 219, LDL-C 134, HDL-C 71, and TG 71.

Your ratios of TG/HDL-C LDL-C/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C are all good.

Originally posted by ubernier:
Unless I messed up somewhere in my calculations, putting these in units of mg/dL, yields your TC 219, LDL-C 134, HDL-C 71, and TG 71.

No way I would be on meds if I had those numbers. Those ratios are excellent! As a matter of fact, lowering your totals with statins will also likely lower your HDL and could mess with your ratios. I do take Zocor, but I wouldn't with those numbers.

I am not one that out of hand advises against statins. However, I think you need to ask your doctor some meaningful questions and insist on answers. If your doctor can’t answer your questions, he probably doesn't know the answers. Many doctors prescribe statins because it is easy and mainstream. Ask your doctor what he thinks are good ratios. He may say, umm, what's a ratio?

Have to agree with pcovers, gets off the statins before you do some real damage. You have no cholesterol issues even with other factors considered.

Originally posted by ubernier:
Unless I messed up somewhere in my calculations, putting these in units of mg/dL, yields your TC 219, LDL-C 134, HDL-C 71, and TG 71.

I'm not sure what conversion factors you were using, but I came up with completely different numbers, plus, triglycerides have a different molecular weight than cholesterol and requires the use of a different conversion factor.

For cholesterol, HDL, and LDL, to convert from mmol/l (SI units)to mg/dl, multiply by 38.6 (or going from mg/dl to mmol/l, multiply by 0.0259)

For triglycerides, to convert from mmol/l to mg/dl, multiply by 88.5 (or going from mg/dl to mmol/l, multiply by 0.0113).

You can find these conversion factors by doing a quick google.com search. Several .edu sites have the conversion tables posted.

Given the original numbers: Total cholestrol 7.46 mmol/L, HDL 3.95mmol/L, Triglycerides 3.95 mmol/L and applying the conversion factors listed above results in:

Total cholesterol: 288 mg/dl
HDL: 152 mg/dl (that doesn't seem right - too high)
Triglycerides: 350 mg/dl

To calculate LDL, which is rarely measured, use the following equation:

LDL = Total Cholesterol - HDL - Triglycerides/5, which results in an LDL of 66 mg/dl (this number is scewed because of the abnormally high HDL level).

From the original numbers given, it is hard to conclude anything considering that the HDL number is not reasonable.

thank you for yr input.

Arkie 6 your conversion figures are right.I made a typo with the HDL figure which is 1.28. Apparently too low! . I work out most every day though. I have been asked to do a thorough blood screening early April as well as an ech cardiogram and stress test.

Will keep you informed. Question : do I stop Zocor, reduce dose frequency, or continue ?

I take back my response. After seeing arkies conversion your trigs are way high, indicative of a high carb diet.

Alan is right on this.


I need to rescind mine also then, because I did not include a factor (g/mol) for each type (thats why the TG=HDL in my calcs,should have been the first indication of the error).

In light of the error, and including what you just posted, your HDL is 49, and LDL = 169. That does mean your ratios are not that hot. As Hunter44 pointed out, your triglycerides are way too high, and you want these under 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L). I can understand in part why Zocor was prescribed.

If you search some of the other posts here, you will find some information that my help you, and possibly, remove the need for Zocor. Just a brief list: If overweight, try to lose some. Add in exercise, aim for 30 mins of aerobic every day that you can. Reduce your carb intake, add in foods/supplements with omega-3 essential fatty acids. If you curtail your intake of fats as part of your weight loss plan, you certainly want to take steps to keep your HDL above 40 and this would normally involve that exercise component listed above.

As far as the tingling goes? Did you have a fasting glucose taken with your lipid profile? Are you being treated for, or do you have hypertension?

thanks.

I have taken the fasting glucose tests etc. Figures within the norm.Doctors debate whether or not I have hypertenstion, and hence no meds for me. Average bp readings 117/78 - 120/80 . Resting heart rate 72 - 76
Am now very conscious of what i eat and exercise every day for 1 1/2 hr. Curious to konw what my readongs will be when I check in April