Niacin and Lp(a) - High Cholesterol Message Board

jkhh · 01-30-2007, 05:26 PM

I just saw something that caught my attention concerning Niacin;

In a review of eight years of studies, Dutch researchers determined that swallowing two grams of prescription niacin, a potent B vitamin, lowered Lp(a) by 17 percent and raised the number of large HDL particles by 18 percent. Ask your doctor for a slow-release version of niacin.

This is a quote from a men's health magazine that I subscribe (to). The HDL does not really surprise however I'm thinking the Lp(a) is news

??? At least, I haven't read much on topic.

Does anyone have much knowledge of Lp(a) and the test associated with it. Should I ask for it for my next lab work? I don't think that I've been tested. I think the article mentioned you want an Lp(a) of <10???

Lenin · 01-30-2007, 06:15 PM

I'm pretty well informed on Lp(a) and have an extraordinarily high level...the bane of my life.

This 17% reduction with niacin is the most glowing rreport of lowering that I've seen but 2 grams of niacin to get it is beyond my ability. Unfortunately, I need better than 50% reduction to make my number presentable!
Nothing I have been able to do affects it much and it seems the MOST genetically determined factor in heart disease. It is EXTREMELY atherogenic and is actually intimately involved in forming clots. A really bad actor.

Indeed, DO ask your doctor to run the test.

There have been two different ways of reporting the test in the last couple years so old values are not correlatable with new and in fact different labs use vastly different standards. This new standard makes it impossible for me to guage my progress or lack of it.