starling72
04-17-2009, 08:49 PM
As I posted as part of another thread here, my HDL has been at or below 25 for quite some time. I've seen this at each of my last 3-4 annual work-sponsored "wellness exams" but just recently had my GP test my cholesterol levels (in February) to "confirm".
Here's what we've done so far to attempt to bring the HDL levels up. I've been exercising 30 minutes daily at 60-70% of max HR since February 1 and plan to work up to 45 minutes daily over the next several months. I've been on Simvastatin since February and Trilipix since mid-March. I've lost weight to the tune of 25-30 pounds since early February, but I'm still categorized as "obese" on the BMI scale. The weight continues to come off at a rate of 2-3 lbs per week with exercise and portion control.
My HDL has not gone up...in fact, it has dropped from 25 to 20! Is this a side effect of the sustained weight loss and will it go up once my weight is stable? How long do I give the Simvastatin and/or Trilipix before I ask to try Niaspan? Lovaza?
To be fair, it's only been 2 months on the statin (with good reduction in LDL and Total Cholesterol) and only 1 month on the Trilipix (with no further reduction in Triglycerides nor raise of HDL) and I'm also taking L-Carnitine and Ubiquinol per my doctor's suggestions to help offset any major statin side effects.
I just don't know if I should be patient and wait 6 months to see if the current approach pays longer-term dividends or if I should ask for a change in approach now (diet and exercise changes continuing).
Any thoughts?
Current readings:
TC - 136
LDL - 78
HDL - 20
TG - 190
Glucose - 93
Here's what we've done so far to attempt to bring the HDL levels up. I've been exercising 30 minutes daily at 60-70% of max HR since February 1 and plan to work up to 45 minutes daily over the next several months. I've been on Simvastatin since February and Trilipix since mid-March. I've lost weight to the tune of 25-30 pounds since early February, but I'm still categorized as "obese" on the BMI scale. The weight continues to come off at a rate of 2-3 lbs per week with exercise and portion control.
My HDL has not gone up...in fact, it has dropped from 25 to 20! Is this a side effect of the sustained weight loss and will it go up once my weight is stable? How long do I give the Simvastatin and/or Trilipix before I ask to try Niaspan? Lovaza?
To be fair, it's only been 2 months on the statin (with good reduction in LDL and Total Cholesterol) and only 1 month on the Trilipix (with no further reduction in Triglycerides nor raise of HDL) and I'm also taking L-Carnitine and Ubiquinol per my doctor's suggestions to help offset any major statin side effects.
I just don't know if I should be patient and wait 6 months to see if the current approach pays longer-term dividends or if I should ask for a change in approach now (diet and exercise changes continuing).
Any thoughts?
Current readings:
TC - 136
LDL - 78
HDL - 20
TG - 190
Glucose - 93
Sponsor
journ
04-17-2009, 09:43 PM
Hi,
i have found that immediate release niacin raises HDL the best.
I've been excercising for years and my HDL stayed low.
When I started niacin it has been raising slowly.
i have found that immediate release niacin raises HDL the best.
I've been excercising for years and my HDL stayed low.
When I started niacin it has been raising slowly.
starling72
04-18-2009, 07:16 PM
Is it safe to take immediate release niacin with Simvastatin and Trilipix or is it usually a substitute for one or both of them?
I'll ask the same question of the cardiologist I'm scheduled to see on Monday (per my request as a sort of 2nd opinion to my GP).
I'll ask the same question of the cardiologist I'm scheduled to see on Monday (per my request as a sort of 2nd opinion to my GP).
journ
04-18-2009, 10:42 PM
Hi,
It probably would be a replacement for the Trilipix< this is suppose to raise HDL also.
i'm I correct? I'd talk to your doctor first before you add anything else!
My doctor didn't suggest anything to me about taking niacin. Just told me to excercise.
It didn't raise my HDL at all, so I found out on my own about niacin and experimented on my self with it! Take about 4000mg to 5000mg per day, divided into 3 times, mostly at night. Niacin should help with the tris. also!
It probably would be a replacement for the Trilipix< this is suppose to raise HDL also.
i'm I correct? I'd talk to your doctor first before you add anything else!
My doctor didn't suggest anything to me about taking niacin. Just told me to excercise.
It didn't raise my HDL at all, so I found out on my own about niacin and experimented on my self with it! Take about 4000mg to 5000mg per day, divided into 3 times, mostly at night. Niacin should help with the tris. also!
jenj770
04-19-2009, 07:57 AM
Hi,
I found out on my own about niacin and experimented on my self with it! Take about 4000mg to 5000mg per day, divided into 3 times, mostly at night. Niacin should help with the tris. also!
Are you referring to Flush Niacin? If so, I would start waaay slower as most people cannot handle the flushing effect. I was advised to get the lowest milligram I could find and take 1/4 of that tablet until any flushing was gone, then take 1/2 and slowly build to the higher milligrams.
Fish or Krill oil is good for Trigs.
I found out on my own about niacin and experimented on my self with it! Take about 4000mg to 5000mg per day, divided into 3 times, mostly at night. Niacin should help with the tris. also!
Are you referring to Flush Niacin? If so, I would start waaay slower as most people cannot handle the flushing effect. I was advised to get the lowest milligram I could find and take 1/4 of that tablet until any flushing was gone, then take 1/2 and slowly build to the higher milligrams.
Fish or Krill oil is good for Trigs.
starling72
04-19-2009, 12:37 PM
Thanks for the responses, guys. I'll run the idea of niacin and fish/krill oil past the cardiologist tomorrow morning. He's reportedly one of the more "progressive" cardiologists in his clinic and is of the belief that statins help control heart disease not because of their cholesterol-lowering effects, but due to their anti-inflammatory properties. We'll see how he comes across in the initial consult, I guess. Only 24 hours to go...
Anyway, it gives me a little hope that he won't see the need to keep me on Trilipix and may instead work on proper lifestyle adjustments, which I'm more than willing to adopt! I love my daily exercise after 2.5 continuous months and couldn't imagine life without it at this point...gives me a real boost in the mornings. :)
Anyway, it gives me a little hope that he won't see the need to keep me on Trilipix and may instead work on proper lifestyle adjustments, which I'm more than willing to adopt! I love my daily exercise after 2.5 continuous months and couldn't imagine life without it at this point...gives me a real boost in the mornings. :)
journ
04-19-2009, 08:42 PM
Are you referring to Flush Niacin? If so, I would start waaay slower as most people cannot handle the flushing effect. I was advised to get the lowest milligram I could find and take 1/4 of that tablet until any flushing was gone, then take 1/2 and slowly build to the higher milligrams.
Fish or Krill oil is good for Trigs.
Hi,
yes it would be wise to start at a low dose. I did and worked my way up tp 4000-5000mg per day.
Fish or Krill oil is good for Trigs.
Hi,
yes it would be wise to start at a low dose. I did and worked my way up tp 4000-5000mg per day.
jenj770
04-20-2009, 09:35 AM
Thanks for the responses, guys. I'll run the idea of niacin and fish/krill oil past the cardiologist tomorrow morning. :)
If you should decide on Krill oil one word of caution. People who are allergic to shellfish should not take this. Fish oil would then be better. If you are not allergic, Krill is good because no question of mercury being in it.
If you should decide on Krill oil one word of caution. People who are allergic to shellfish should not take this. Fish oil would then be better. If you are not allergic, Krill is good because no question of mercury being in it.