cowgirl27
09-12-2003, 02:34 PM
I have heard that sometimes someone has high cholesterol because its hereditary and therefore diet and excercise isn't going to do a whole lot of good. My total chol. is 279 and my dr. wants to put me on Lipitor. I really would rather try diet and excercise first, but if its not going to help, I'm not sure what I will do. Anyone know if there is any truth to this hereditary theory?
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NMc
09-12-2003, 04:50 PM
Hi cowgirl:
Unfortunately, there is such thing as "familial hypercholesterolemia". However, my understanding is that people with this disorder have cholesterol values much higher than what you report having. My doctor also said I had this "familial" thing (total cholesterol was 350), but I'm convinced otherwise based on the absence of other symptoms (lipid deposits on tendons, for example). Diet and exercise should help reduce your total cholesterol and I would certainly try this option before starting on any statins. You might also try supplements (Omega-3, Niacin) and see if that doesn't help. You will probably get feedback from others on the board who are more knowledgeable about lipid disorders (and treatment approaches) than I am - so hang in there :)
Unfortunately, there is such thing as "familial hypercholesterolemia". However, my understanding is that people with this disorder have cholesterol values much higher than what you report having. My doctor also said I had this "familial" thing (total cholesterol was 350), but I'm convinced otherwise based on the absence of other symptoms (lipid deposits on tendons, for example). Diet and exercise should help reduce your total cholesterol and I would certainly try this option before starting on any statins. You might also try supplements (Omega-3, Niacin) and see if that doesn't help. You will probably get feedback from others on the board who are more knowledgeable about lipid disorders (and treatment approaches) than I am - so hang in there :)
ARIZONA73
09-13-2003, 02:02 PM
Cowgirl27,
By all means, I think that it would be advisable to adopt a more natural approach towards correcting any blood-lipid imbalance, such as diet and exercise, and the use of supplements. You provided only a total cholesterol number. By itself, that single number doesn't tell us very much. Do you know what your HDL, LDL, and triglycerides are? They're important to know. Also, do other family members have numbers similar to yours, and most importantly, does heart disease tend to run in your family?
By all means, I think that it would be advisable to adopt a more natural approach towards correcting any blood-lipid imbalance, such as diet and exercise, and the use of supplements. You provided only a total cholesterol number. By itself, that single number doesn't tell us very much. Do you know what your HDL, LDL, and triglycerides are? They're important to know. Also, do other family members have numbers similar to yours, and most importantly, does heart disease tend to run in your family?
Moxie75
09-13-2003, 09:17 PM
Well let's see I am an athlete and eat the healthiest of anyone I know and am known for me health nut consepts but yet I have high BP and high cholesterol and the latest.. diagnosed with a fatty liver. I guess I would have been dead at the age of 20 if it were not for my good habits. Boy is that enlightening!!! I'm 45 and the best people could say about me is that I look phenomonal and I am the picture of health. What about the insides though????????? Very frustrating... sometimes I wonder if maybe ignorance is bliss...Lisa
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ON THE WAY TO CAPE MAY!!!!!
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ON THE WAY TO CAPE MAY!!!!!
NMc
09-14-2003, 09:20 AM
Hi Moxie:
We sound a lot alike (look good on the outside - different story on the inside). I read a previous post of yours about ALT/AST levels and wondered if the increased values might be due to statin meds. What did your doctor attribute the fatty liver to?
We sound a lot alike (look good on the outside - different story on the inside). I read a previous post of yours about ALT/AST levels and wondered if the increased values might be due to statin meds. What did your doctor attribute the fatty liver to?
Moxie75
09-14-2003, 10:55 AM
Nope not the statin drugs. I was put on Zetia after the fatty liver diagnoses. I tried to lower the cholesterol on my own. They had tried to give me lescol (statin) i had severe neck pain and took myself off and tried things on my own to get it down. The only thing i accomplished was I raised my HDL to around 64 but the LDL went up to. The only meds I was taking when they told me that I have a fatty liver was Diovan HCT. He said if in fact I have a fatty liver (the only way to truly diagnose it is a liver biopsy NO THANKS!!) he felt it was caused by high BP and high cholesterol. He is a GI specialist who is 75 years of age so I hope he knows what he is talking about...thanls for the post, Lisa
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ON THE WAY TO CAPE MAY!!!!!
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ON THE WAY TO CAPE MAY!!!!!
KarynLR
09-14-2003, 10:11 PM
Yes, cowgirl, that is the case. Diet and excercise change in patients with genetic high cholesterol has been shown to decrease only 10-15 points. In most cases, like yours, like mine, that would still leave you in a danger zone.
Depending on your age, your weight, your activity level, your cholesterol, and especially your doctor, you might be able to try diet and excercise first. In my case, there really wasn't much to change in my diet. At first, I was really upset about having high cholesterol, because I thought the doctors would say, "What the hell are you eating?", thinking this was my fault, when really, I have little control over my cholesterol level. However, my doctors were completely understanding, and told me to stop worrying. The internist told me, "You could eat only vegetables for the rest of your life, and you'd still have high cholesterol." That's why, for people with a genetic tendency to high cholesterol statins are such a great thing. They're great for everyone (except a recent Newsweek article criticized people with dietary high cholesterol taking statins as "unwilling to change their diet to save their lives")!
I was really against taking a statin at first-- I'm 20! But now, after my levels have dropped 60 points on only a starting dose of Lipitor (10 mg daily), I really see the positive things that statins do. I'm really glad I'm taking Lipitor!
--Karyn
Depending on your age, your weight, your activity level, your cholesterol, and especially your doctor, you might be able to try diet and excercise first. In my case, there really wasn't much to change in my diet. At first, I was really upset about having high cholesterol, because I thought the doctors would say, "What the hell are you eating?", thinking this was my fault, when really, I have little control over my cholesterol level. However, my doctors were completely understanding, and told me to stop worrying. The internist told me, "You could eat only vegetables for the rest of your life, and you'd still have high cholesterol." That's why, for people with a genetic tendency to high cholesterol statins are such a great thing. They're great for everyone (except a recent Newsweek article criticized people with dietary high cholesterol taking statins as "unwilling to change their diet to save their lives")!
I was really against taking a statin at first-- I'm 20! But now, after my levels have dropped 60 points on only a starting dose of Lipitor (10 mg daily), I really see the positive things that statins do. I'm really glad I'm taking Lipitor!
--Karyn
ARIZONA73
09-14-2003, 11:42 PM
A total cholesterol number means nothing. Absolutely nothing! We need to know the rest of the numbers, along with the family history. It is a dangerous gamble to subject a person to a lifelong regimen of these powerful drugs, especially if that person is young and healthy.
cowgirl27
09-16-2003, 09:34 AM
Sorry, I forgot to mention my other numbers. They are:
LDL=184
tri=130
HDL=69
so, I know the tri's and HDL are pretty good or decent at least. My grandpa had a stroke because of his chol. and my dad has had a heart attack and close to a second one. Only 25% of his heart actually works. My mom, sister and uncle all three have high chol. and before my sis found out she had it, she had lost gobs of weight and had been on a very strict diet for over a year. Her total number was 294. I don't know what her other numbers were. Its way down since she started Lipitor. My mom also takes it.
LDL=184
tri=130
HDL=69
so, I know the tri's and HDL are pretty good or decent at least. My grandpa had a stroke because of his chol. and my dad has had a heart attack and close to a second one. Only 25% of his heart actually works. My mom, sister and uncle all three have high chol. and before my sis found out she had it, she had lost gobs of weight and had been on a very strict diet for over a year. Her total number was 294. I don't know what her other numbers were. Its way down since she started Lipitor. My mom also takes it.
peregrine
09-16-2003, 01:34 PM
I also have/had hereditary high cholesterol. I opted for natural, not the meds, and I now have phenomenal numbers. I think eating low carb should be high on your list if you want to avoid cholesterol medications, but you have to stick to this or your numbers will alter accordingly.
Peregrine
Peregrine
ARIZONA73
09-16-2003, 11:43 PM
Cowgirl27:
Your overall numbers and ratios would actually be quite good, if it wasn't for that high LDL. As it is, your ratios are fair, but can and should be better. Your LDL was most likely a calculated value, and not actually measured to determine particle size. This is important to know. LDL is composed of both small and dense(bad), and large and fluffy(less harmful)components. Your doctor really should determine what that breakdown is.
I am also assuming that your Lipoprotein(a) level was not measured, either. It probably should be. An elevated Lipoprotein(a) level has a characteristic adhesiveness, which can combine with oxidized LDL and become deposited in the arteries.
Considering your family history, I feel that it would be in your best interests to follow your doctor's recommendations, in order to bring your ratios into a more favorable balance. If I were you, I would ask your doctor about using niacin instead of Lipitor. But that's your decision. If your doctor agrees to prescribe niacin, it would have a favorable impact on LDL particle size, and may even lower your overall level. In addition, niacin has the capability of more greatly increasing your HDL, which can result in a significantly reduced risk, as well as potentially fewer long-term side effects.
Your overall numbers and ratios would actually be quite good, if it wasn't for that high LDL. As it is, your ratios are fair, but can and should be better. Your LDL was most likely a calculated value, and not actually measured to determine particle size. This is important to know. LDL is composed of both small and dense(bad), and large and fluffy(less harmful)components. Your doctor really should determine what that breakdown is.
I am also assuming that your Lipoprotein(a) level was not measured, either. It probably should be. An elevated Lipoprotein(a) level has a characteristic adhesiveness, which can combine with oxidized LDL and become deposited in the arteries.
Considering your family history, I feel that it would be in your best interests to follow your doctor's recommendations, in order to bring your ratios into a more favorable balance. If I were you, I would ask your doctor about using niacin instead of Lipitor. But that's your decision. If your doctor agrees to prescribe niacin, it would have a favorable impact on LDL particle size, and may even lower your overall level. In addition, niacin has the capability of more greatly increasing your HDL, which can result in a significantly reduced risk, as well as potentially fewer long-term side effects.
JeanE716
09-17-2003, 08:02 AM
Everyone in my family has cholestrol problems. At 125 lbs I was the smallest one in the family. I also was the only one of the 8 of us siblings to have a an MI and 40% narrowing of the arteried after angioplasty opened the blockage. This is what prompted my brothers and sisters to begin worrying about their own Cholestrol. Diet was not the problem in my case as I could eat lettuce and water only for 50 years and not lower my cholestrol. I was put on Lipitor 20mg and it took the bad down to 118 but the drs. wanted it down to under 100 so for some reason they changed it to Provachol 40mg. The doctors never tested after that. I changed doctors and my next test which the new doctor just called with the results less than a week ago, showed that my bad cholestrol had jumped to 183. He put me on Zocor 40mg. My point being, if you have to take these meds for cholestrol, make sure that your tests are done on schedule. My old drs. were jerks and refused (hence the reason they are my "old drs." Sometimes the brand of meds makes a difference too.
Devrha32
09-22-2003, 08:29 PM
Hi Cowgirl,
I was diagnosed with 'familial hypercholesterolemia' - when I was 18... I am now 32 years old. It was found by accident during some blood work I was having done for a skin rash. My entire family (father's side) either has heart disease - most either dying young from Heart attacks, or have had bypass surgery. My cholesterol was 325, LDL 160, HDL 32 - these ratios are very bad - it is just as important to know the LDL/ HDL ratio before diagnosing this. The best thing to do, as was done in my case is to go on a strict 6 week no cholesterol diet and repeat blood tests... this will really show if you can control it with dies, or if your body is over producing it - hope this helps.... good luck! Devrha
I was diagnosed with 'familial hypercholesterolemia' - when I was 18... I am now 32 years old. It was found by accident during some blood work I was having done for a skin rash. My entire family (father's side) either has heart disease - most either dying young from Heart attacks, or have had bypass surgery. My cholesterol was 325, LDL 160, HDL 32 - these ratios are very bad - it is just as important to know the LDL/ HDL ratio before diagnosing this. The best thing to do, as was done in my case is to go on a strict 6 week no cholesterol diet and repeat blood tests... this will really show if you can control it with dies, or if your body is over producing it - hope this helps.... good luck! Devrha
msulayla
09-24-2003, 10:12 AM
hi, i'm new, just found out that, altho' i've always been otherwise healthy-w/diet and exercise, etc.-just foond out my triglycerides were 434. doc put me on tricor, i could not tolerate. i am trying 800 mgs of niacin w/ other natural supplements. any other ideas?thanks..
arkie6
09-24-2003, 02:11 PM
Originally posted by msulayla:
hi, i'm new, just found out that, altho' i've always been otherwise healthy-w/diet and exercise, etc.-just foond out my triglycerides were 434. doc put me on tricor, i could not tolerate. i am trying 800 mgs of niacin w/ other natural supplements. any other ideas?thanks..
Try a low carbohydrate diet. In general, that is the best way to lower triglycerides.
Excess consumption of sugars, starch (potatoes, rice, etc.), refined carbohydates (white bread, cereal, pasta, etc.), and even fruit sugars (fruit juices, soft drinks, and anything sweetened with high fructose corn syrup) can elevate triglycerides. Cutting these out of your diet or at least cutting way back on these foods will usually cause ones triglyceride levels to plummet. All of those foods get converterd to glucose in your digestive system (fructose is a little more complicated). Any excess glucose over and above your daily energy requirements goes to the liver where it is converted into triglycerides for storage in your fatty tissue. It is these triglycerides circulating around in your bloodstream that result in your elevated triglyceride levels.
hi, i'm new, just found out that, altho' i've always been otherwise healthy-w/diet and exercise, etc.-just foond out my triglycerides were 434. doc put me on tricor, i could not tolerate. i am trying 800 mgs of niacin w/ other natural supplements. any other ideas?thanks..
Try a low carbohydrate diet. In general, that is the best way to lower triglycerides.
Excess consumption of sugars, starch (potatoes, rice, etc.), refined carbohydates (white bread, cereal, pasta, etc.), and even fruit sugars (fruit juices, soft drinks, and anything sweetened with high fructose corn syrup) can elevate triglycerides. Cutting these out of your diet or at least cutting way back on these foods will usually cause ones triglyceride levels to plummet. All of those foods get converterd to glucose in your digestive system (fructose is a little more complicated). Any excess glucose over and above your daily energy requirements goes to the liver where it is converted into triglycerides for storage in your fatty tissue. It is these triglycerides circulating around in your bloodstream that result in your elevated triglyceride levels.