Results (6 months apart) - High Cholesterol Message Board

rocky balboa · 08-08-2007, 05:37 AM

6 Months Ago:

HDL - 39
LDL - 172
TOTAL - 227

This Week:

HDL - 35
LDL - 156
Total - 202

I am not on any meds and my doctor said "just keep doing what you are doing." Hmmmmmm.

Anyway, I have been taking fishoil and eating oatmeal in the morning, which seems to have lowered my LDL somewhat, but what can I do to help improve my HDL? It seems to be falling.

*******edited. Just read the post below with the same question as mine. I now have a new question.

I see taking niacin and the word "flushing" being extremely painful. What is flushing?

Sorry if that is a dumb question.

Thanks

Guy1_USA · 08-08-2007, 11:04 AM

Your whole body gets very warm. You can turn bright red from head to toe. It will subside... usually in 30 minutes or less.

The trick is to start out slow and let your body adjust... only increase your dose every 4 weeks.

Lenin would be able to tell you about over-the-counter niacin. I didn't like the flushing of the OTC niacin. I'm taking 3000 mg Niaspan and doing just fine on it... no flushing.

Good luck.

Lenin · 08-09-2007, 06:15 AM

rocky,

Those HDL levels make your cholesterol picture look bad (both TC/HDL Ratios are nearly 6 when they should be under 4.0)

I have found THREE things and three things only that raise HDL: statins, niacin and daily booze. Do you drink?

Niacin Flush: First there warmth and redness...mostly face but depending on severity down the neck and chest. Then it feels like thousands of pins are being stuck all over. In extreme cases the lips and eyelids swell (regularly for me.

) A DANGEROUS reaction involves the tongue and air passages swelling and causing breathing difficulty...this is E/R visit level reaction.

I say try a first dose of 250 mg. or less and see what happens...then keep upping it to find your flush tolerance. It's worth the trouble because it REALLY does work.

<<Keep up the good work...an unmedicated LDL at <130 is considered optimal for a person without serious risk of heart disease.>>

kpbatson · 08-10-2007, 01:01 PM

This Week:

HDL - 35
LDL - 156
Total - 202

What about your TG level? If your TGs are elevated (try >350) your HDL will be supressed.

Guy1_USA · 08-10-2007, 02:00 PM

Rocky's TG's calculate out to: 80 six months ago, and 55 now. Pretty great TG numbers.