Hi there. Im a 22 year old woman that just moved to the US from Canada last year. Last month I went for my first visit with my new PCP. They asked me if I had ever had a cholesterol test done and I said no. I couldnt have one done that day because I had breakfast already (it was just supposed to be me meeting my doctor and telling them about my depression history to get a new US perscription). So I went in a couple weeks later and had the blood drawn for it. I will point out now that they only told me not to have anything for breakfast that morning. The next week I get a call saying I have "dangerously high levels for someone my age" and was given the following numbers.
Total 222 chol.
Tri glyicerides 74
HDL 50
LDL 157
They also automatically stuck me on Pravachol 40 mg, telling me to start taking them that night. I was also told just to come in again in 3 months. Like a good little patient I decided to take their word for it and start the pills. When my husband went to pick up the pills for me even the pharmacist was very suprised at the dosage.

Over the next few days I did some more reading on this pill and found some very annoying things. The one that mainly annoyed me is that it says not to take them if you are planning on getting pregnant in the near future. I had told my doctor that my hun and I wanted to start a family within the year. The next thing that annoyed me is reading that they are supposed to do other tests first before putting someone on it like liver tests (I tried OD'ing on Tylenol and stuff years ago, so my liver is something I am supposed to be watching still, and I told my new doc about this). I was also starting to find it very weird that the doctor never talked to me about diet changes or other things that could be tried first. After I told this to my sis in Canada, she went and asked our doctor there. He was incredibly suprised, and also reported that the office here messed up in that you have to fast for no less then 14 hours before testing. I had had supper at 10 pm that night, ate a few donuts before bed at 1am, and my appointment was at 9:30a. I called my doctors office here and they said it wouldnt affect any results.

So my question is, is this really as messed up as it seems to me? ps. I am now looking for a new doctor anyways now.

I believe the reason they want you to fast (usually nothing to eat after midnight) is so that they can accurately determine your triglyceride level. The fact that you had something to eat at 1:00 A.M should not have had much of an impact on your cholesterol.

Your cholesterol level is not dangerously high. In fact, it's much closer to normal, if anything. Your HDL is fine, and your triglycerides are excellent. Your LDL may be slightly elevated, but certainly nothing to panic about. In my opinion, your numbers are pretty much normal. In fact, I'm sure there are many others who wish they had your numbers. And you can even improve them further through simple dietary changes and exercise. But 40mg Pravachol? You've got to be kidding. If I were you, I'd find another doctor. Based on your numbers, you should NOT need to be on any of this medication.

[This message has been edited by ARIZONA73 (edited 04-26-2003).]

I just wanted to chime in here about this subject. I am 23 and seem to have had a similar situation to you. I had never had my cholesterol checked before either and was having my TSH (thyroid) checked so they went ahead to do a lipid panel as well. When the results came back I was totally freaked out. My HDL was 61 LDL was 167 and Triglycerides were 126...total cholesterol 253! The doctors office didn't say anything about fasting either to me. I don't normally eat breakfast anyway, but I did have two cups of coffee with cream and sugar in the a.m. before my test. The nurse who did the blood draw asked if I had fasted and I said no, wasn't aware I was supposed to but hadn't eaten anything since about 6:00 the night before. I told her that I drank the coffee with cream and sugar and she said ok, like it didn't matter. So what do I know, I do what you tell me, and you didn't tell me not too...never having this done before how would I know??? Anyway when the doctor called with my results he said something about losing weight and swimming...I am 5'4" and only weigh 124...don't think I really need to be losing too much weight. But that was all he said...didn't really make a big deal about it all. Well since then I have talked to a few people and they think it is totally too high. My boyfriend's mom for example has a history of high cholestrol and has been on Lipitor for a while. She gave me some info to look over that her doc had given her about diet and what numbers should be and so forth. There was a chart that gave age and what levels of cholesterol should be and what levels warranted changes and so forth. In my age range and my number it said to "seek medical attention immediatly." Now why on earth would he not let me know that this was such a problem. Maybe I am neive in a way, but I don't know anything about cholestorl and would assume he would've atleast tried to explain what a problem this really is for my age and all. I keep thinking that the coffee somehow messed things up, if anything the triglycerides as the above poster mentioned. Could this be the case??? I am totally freaked out now and am afraid to eat anything that is not completely healthy like fruits or vegies! Any input would be appreciated on what should be done to take care of this now....since the doc didn't give to much insight into the problem. Thanks! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Kiwaberry,

You've got a rotten doctor, get a new one STAT.
You're levels are not great but nobody could responsibly call them dangerous.
With possible liver damange it is malpractice not to check liver enzymes before statins, and it is a virtual requirement that EVERYBODY be tested for liver function after starting statins, quite frequently at first.

Another consideration is that if you take statins at today's prices for your expected lifespan, expect to lay out in excess of $50 GRAND!

[This message has been edited by zip2play (edited 04-27-2003).]

Thank you very much for the replies. I have always just "had" a doctor, its a pain in the butt finding a good one by yourself.

Hello, The fasting thing is right on the money. You might want to ask for a repeat of the test and ask about the fasting, because I was always told it is a 12 hour fast and the fast includes no water or anything to drink after a certain time besides food. The other thing is that the doctor should do a second test to make sure that the first one was accurate before prescribing medicine. My doctor told me that he doesn't put anyone one medicine unless he the total is at least 240. Mine used to be 239 and my sister's used to be 240. We also have a family history of heart disease, high cholesterol, heart attacks, stroke, and diabetes. We both go to the same doctor, and he gave us a chance to lower our cholesterol through diet and exercise first, before he even thought about medicine. We did it, so no meds for us so far.

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Magpie