understanding the levels - High Cholesterol Message Board

makingitright · 05-11-2005, 06:44 AM

My husband got his cholesterol results last night and they were as follows Colesterol 284, triglycerides 151, HDL 64, LDL 190.

The Dr. said that the triglycerides are "good" and that his HDL is "very good" He said that his colesterol could be brought down with diet and excercise. He also said that the LDL is very high and could not be brought down with diet and excercise and will need meds. Are there any medications that he could go on short term for the LDL? My husband is overweight about 30 lbs. He use to be in great shape about 5 years ago, and even ran the London Marathon, his levels were all fine then. So why wouldn't we assume that the LDL levels will return to normal with diet & excercise? Also, how do the triglycerides and HDL come out good with the others so bad? I'm sorry if I sound dumb to this, but it's new so I am!

thanks for any help.

babydog · 05-11-2005, 07:47 AM

I was able to bring my LDL down from 200 to 140 in 3 months by cutting WAY back on saturated fat, trans fat and foods containing cholesterol. In fact on my first test it came out at 130. Went back up to 140 after Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays so working on getting it back down again.

Exercise is VERY important as it will keep that HDL of 64 up there.

Diets that are very low fat will definitely lower LDL, sometimes dramatically but also lower HDL so exercise is vital. Losing those 30 extra pounds should make a big impact as well.

If this is his first abnormal cholesterol reading, I would give this a try for 3 - 6 months and retest again before resorting to meds.

By the way, if it works, then he needs to be forever vigilant and adhere to the dietary / exercise rules, lest he end up on statin therapy which if you read many of the posts on this board, the side effects can be dreadful.

Good luck.

Uff-Da! · 05-11-2005, 08:35 AM

It is easier for a doctor to pull out a script pad than to counsel a patient about diet and exercise. Many patients are not sufficiently motivated to follow diet and exercise recommendations, so often are unsuccessful at making enough changes to accomplish the job. Besides, once a patient is on statins, that means they have to keep coming back for tests, which produces $$$$$ for the doctor. IMHO the majority of patients should be given a chance to make necessary lifestyle changes first. Some doctors do that. Many do not.

If your husband decides to do it on his own and is serious about it, he will likely be able to do it. Lose the 30 pounds, eliminate trans fats from the diet, decrease total fat and especially saturated fat, eat many servings daily of fresh fruits, vegetables, and legumes daily, and exercise. Have his cholesterol checked again in three to six months, and if he's making progress, give himself a year before he even considers a statin, unless he has other major risk factors like diabetes or early cardiovascular disease among close relatives. Just my opinion.

Lenin · 05-11-2005, 01:02 PM

makingitright,

If I had your husband's numbers, I think I would medicate with a lose dose statin while trying to lose the 30 pounds and resume an exercise routine. After the 30 pound weight loss I'd ween off the statin and see if the levels are better, if not I'd go back on.
I agree with his doctor.

babydog · 05-11-2005, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lenin

makingitright,

If I had your husband's numbers, I think I would medicate with a lose dose statin while trying to lose the 30 pounds and resume an exercise routine. After the 30 pound weight loss I'd ween off the statin and see if the levels are better, if not I'd go back on.
I agree with his doctor.

Hi Lenin,
Is it possible to "ween" off the statin? I always heard that once you are on them, you are on for life. Something about rebound?? I hope you are right and I am wrong!