jeffalp
10-23-2008, 12:30 PM
is cholesterol elevation from HCT dose related
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flowergirl2day
10-24-2008, 03:24 AM
The answer is yes. The effects of thiazide diuretics on blood pressure and cholesterol levels are dose-dependent. When combined with ACE inhibitors, the adverse effects on cholesterol and other levels are reduced. In one small study, the triglycerides were increased by 31%, HDL was decreased by 16% -not a good thing- and total cholesterol was up by 7.6% with the use of thiazide diuretics. Other studies showed smaller but similar increases (decrease) in cholesterol levels. These metabolic side effects can increase the risk of CHD in some people, but the benefit of thiazide therapy outweighs the risk. The mostly "modest" changes in cholesterol levels are often transient and (supposedly) the cholesterol levels return to baseline after one year. Some people feel that the adverse metabolic effects of thiazide diuretics on cholesterol levels should be taken more seriously.
bethsheba
10-24-2008, 09:10 AM
Thanks for this info flowergirl...as someone whose cholesterol went up over 100 points on this medication, I found this of interest.
famnd
10-24-2008, 12:51 PM
Thanks FG. It usually isn't necessary to take more than 12.5mg of HCTZ instead of the 25mg that is usually given. I'll have to look at my cholesterol etc again. Last time I looked my cholesterol/Tri's had not increased. There is a normal drop in HDL with menopause. Also, my blood glucuse (sugar) has not increased. I basically get a free ride with HCTZ except for the potential long term effects.
BTW I finally found a way to cut out the nightly trips to the bathroom. After 4 yrs, I started taking my HCTZ at 11 or 12 Noon. Works like magic. Of course, you can't have a ton of fluid in the evening. I only have two glasses of milk & one glass of water from 5-9pm. My two youngest grandchildren started sleeping through the night too-we all had a good laugh over that one :). Fam
BTW I finally found a way to cut out the nightly trips to the bathroom. After 4 yrs, I started taking my HCTZ at 11 or 12 Noon. Works like magic. Of course, you can't have a ton of fluid in the evening. I only have two glasses of milk & one glass of water from 5-9pm. My two youngest grandchildren started sleeping through the night too-we all had a good laugh over that one :). Fam