I have CAD - 30% block in the right coronary artery and 40% in the left coronary artery. Doctor has me on Lipitor 40 mg. I also take Vitamin C, E, and lysine in therapeutic doses (5g, 1g, 2g). My latest lipid scan came back: TC - 91; LDL-34; HDL-48: VLDL - 9. Triglycerides - 44. Also had C-reative Protein reading of .124 and homocysteine level of 7.6. Doctor told me all those numbers are great - medication and supplements are working. Then I had one more test two weeks ago for Lipoprotein(a) level - my score came back at 134 mg/dl. The doctor is astonished - says that my level is at least twice what is should be and maybe more. I'm really anxious about this since I've since read that lipoprotein (a) is actually a better indicator than LDL for someone with CAD having a heart attack. Doctor is now talking about putting me on extended release niacin at a high level - like 2g - which I heard is dangerous to the liver. Am alternating between high anxiety and confusion at the moment.
Does anyone have any insight on lipoprotein(a) as a separate risk factor for heart attack for a person with CAD? I am at a loss to understand how I can have such a good LDL reading and a staggeringly bad lipoprotein (a) level.
Last edited by eagleheart; 03-02-2006 at 10:48 AM.
Yes... as we have said before, Lipitor is know to raise Lpa. By the way your risk of adverse reactions to statins goes way, way, up when it is given with naicin. Besides you total cholesterol is way to low.
Haven't found any material on Lipitor and Lipoprotein(a). Need to educate myself - can you direct me to some resources?
I got to thinking ... is lipoprotein (a) a sub-component of HDL and LDL, or part of other things? My LDL and HDL together are 82, so I'm wondering if the 134 reading may be inaccurate.
Last edited by eagleheart; 03-02-2006 at 06:03 PM.
Haven't found any material on Lipitor and Lipoprotein(a). Need to educate myself - can you direct me to some resources?
I got to thinking ... is lipoprotein (a) a sub-component of HDL and LDL, or part of other things? My LDL and HDL together are 82, so I'm wondering if the 134 reading may be inaccurate.
I'll look through my files and find the lipitor and Lp(a) information...its here somewhere.... Lp(a) is a different reading (value) than the cholesterol numbers. You won't be able to use any formula to pull it out of cholesterol test numbers...If you look up Statin Study.. you can find some more information that might be helpful to you.
Eagleheart, what was your TC before developing CAD? I am finding it fascinating that the Lp(a) number may mean more than the LDL number. Did your doctor want you to have the Lp(a) test? My husband's doctor refused to authorize a test for this. Just curious.
Confusing blood test results 
Linear Mode
