HDL raisers - High Cholesterol Message Board

flowergirl2day · 08-21-2007, 03:38 PM

Hi,
I've just heard of fenofibrates (Tricor, Lofibra) and gemifibrozil (Lopid) which have been shown to build up the HDL levels by 10-20%.

Unfortunately, they cannot be used in combination with Lipitor, as that would mean risking muscle toxicity, including rhabdomyolysis. They might not be as effective in raising HDL levels as Niacin, but they do not cause any flushing.

I am wondering if anyone has ever tried these. Any feedback?

Flowergirl

jacal5 · 08-21-2007, 06:08 PM

Hi Flower,

Your welcome!

Mom's boyfriend was prescribed Lipitor and Lopid together. I told him they shouldn't be combined, he mentioned it to his doc, and he was taken off them and given Crestor and Zetia, to raise his HDL, and lower LDL. His triglycerides are too high also. I am going to ask him if Crestor raised his HDL and I will post the result.

He only has part of his heart left due to a heart attack, so he is at the mercy of his docs, he just takes what they tell him to, although he is aware of side effects. His gall bladder was removed on Christmas week 2006, and I told Mom maybe his statin use over the years was the cause.

I ate my half of onion today at dinner......

flowergirl2day · 08-22-2007, 06:32 PM

Good girl!

I'll have my onion tonight. With a tiny piece of Italian cheese, a tiny piece of Italian sausage, and a big chunk of Italian bread. All of these are special treats, of course (except the onion). It's my birthday, so I'll indulge!
I'll look forward to hearing your update. I am told I have to remain on Lipitor, which means I cannot take any of the previously mentioned products at the moment.

flowergirl

Toneman · 08-22-2007, 06:47 PM

You CAN take a statin along with Tricor, I do. Both my cardiologist and my family doctor reccommended it, you just need to watch for symptoms of muscle pain and have your blood checked every 90 days to keep an eye on your liver function. I went on this program because my LDL responds great to Zocor but my HDL stays a little low and my Tri's are high. My numbers are TC 163, LDL 58, HDL 38 and Tri's 333. That's why they put me on Tricor along with the Zocor for a short time to get my HDL up and my Tri's down. I exercise every day, 45 minutes and 500 calories on a treadmill but just can't seem to get all my numbers right, even by cutting out the sweets and empty carbs. I hope I get a 10-20% increase in HDL!

Good Luck.

Guy1_USA · 08-22-2007, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toneman

You CAN take a statin along with Tricor, I do. Both my cardiologist and my family doctor reccommended it,

I think this recomendation is ill founded... please don't ever consider this... and if your Doctors consider this remidy... please challenge this remidy extremely strongly... and then after you are done arguing... find a new Doctor...