I need advice - High Cholesterol Message Board

agentrip · 05-26-2005, 12:02 PM

I am new to this website and am hoping to get some good info. After I left the military 3 years ago I have been fighting high cholesterol. I do have a family history of it as well. I am 25 yrs old and about 5'3 and weigh 120lbs..Sounds healthy correct? No; my chl usually hangs around 275-285 with high LDL and low HDl and high Tri's...I have tried diet and exercise which did not help. I'm not keen on the idea of being on meds, however I may need to be soon. Anybody have any similiar stories with positive endings?

linda115 · 05-26-2005, 12:43 PM

I just started a new thread posting my good results.

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=288125

My high cholesterol and triglyceride were probably the results of hypothyroidism. A year ago, total cholesterol was 260, triglyceride 255. After thyroid surgery, triglyceride was even higher, 274. Diet and exercise didn't help. I am practically a vegetarian. So medication is my last choice.

As long as you have a doctor who will monitor your medication month by month to make sure you have no side effects and your vital organs such as liver, kidney are all functioning well, you should do fine with medication. Educate yourself on the different types of medication and what they are prescribed for.

I am taking Vytorin, which is a combination of Zeita and Zocor. Zeita will prevent the intestine to absorb the fat and Zocor will prohibit the liver from producing cholesterol. These medications are for non-diet factors that cause high cholesterols.

There are also other ways to control choleterols such as herbs and supplements. Whichever method you choose, I would still recommend having a qualified practitioner to monitor the progress with blood tests.

Hope this info helps.

Blessings,
Linda

gardeninggal · 05-26-2005, 04:12 PM

Linda115: I see by your post that you are Hypothyroid. Can I ask what you are taking for that? I am also Hypo because of surgery and I know that it can make you have higher cholesterol. When years ago I was taking a natural thyroid my cholesterol was fine but when I was switched over to Synthroid up went my cholesterol. I told my doctor that I would not take Synthroid any more and wanted Armour and have been on it 4 months. I also see that you say you are a vegetarian, unless you are careful a vegetarian diet can drive up your triglycerides because of the high carbs. I am going to try to get my TSH to between 1 and 2 because that is where most healthy people's TSH is and when I do I hope to see improvement in my Cholesterol tests. My doctor has gone along with me so far.

linda115 · 05-26-2005, 08:39 PM

gardeninggal,

I took Levothroid (50 mcg) over a year ago for shrinking the nodules on my goiter thyroid. At the same time, my hypo symptoms were becoming worse. Cholesterol readings were all high on an increasing trend. TSH went down to .531. Not only my nodules did not shirnk, one of them became larger than 3 cm. So I ended up in surgery this Feb. and my left thyroid with the nodule (cyst) was removed.

The surgery did good. My right thyroid seems to be functioning well now. TSH is up to 1.839. T4 is close to the upper third range. All my hypo symptoms have subsided, except the cholesterol. In fact, my triglyceride went up 20 points higher a month after surgery.

I do eat a lot of veggies but mostly green. I am careful with carbs. I feel like a lost battle prior to surgery. This medication, Vytorin, completely takes my by surprise. I thought I was already doing well after surgery. This is like icing on the cake.

Blessings,
Linda

agentrip · 05-27-2005, 06:59 AM

Linda,
Thanks for your advice. I have noticed that many people on this site have hypothyroid problems...according to tests my thyroid is fine, however my sister has hypothroid and a cholesterol problem as well.