Brand new here and upset with my 'numbers'. - High Cholesterol Message Board

Minxarella · 08-13-2008, 11:30 AM

Just got results from my bloodwork and would love some advice/suggestions/feedback regarding my cholesterol numbers and whether or not to go on Zocor 40mg.

I lost my mom very young at age 54 to a heart attack. That would be the crux of any family history.

Im 54 and 5'8" and 116lbs so not overweight. I excercise a fair amount but Im certain theres room for more. Ive 'cleaned up' my diet compared to my old ways of tons of fast food etc, but still find myself craving pastas (carbs).
Am being treated for Hypothyroidism which tested at 2.302 in the current results on my current med.

My numbers are as follows:

Total Cholesterol 273
Triglycerides 84
HDL 82
LDL 174

Am terrified to pick my my RX of Zocor 40mg and start on it.
Anyone have some advice to help me?
Much appreciated. Thank you.

LauraBow · 08-13-2008, 12:47 PM

Those numbers are not bad. Your HDL/LDL ratio is very good. Your LDL is elevated, but your HDL is great. I would be hesitant to consider statins, especially 40mg Zocor. That seems like a rather high dose to start. I started out with an LDL like yours and with 20mg Zocor and diet and exercise, it is now below 100. I have no side effects from it. With heart problems in your family, you should probably get more testing to get a better idea of your lipids. A VAP test including CRP and homocysteine would be a good idea.

cook82 · 08-13-2008, 06:38 PM

I am 53 and my numbers were roughly the same as yours.
total 261
LDL 181
HDL 70
Trigs 65

I was put on 40mg of generic zocor.

new numbers
total 182
LDL 98
HDL 71
Trigs 65

I had been struggling for several years with diet and exercise and managed to get it down once to 130 but my doctor wanted it below 100 and I just couldn't maintain the discipline anymore.

What I like is that all it did was drop the LDL - it left my good numbers good.

Like you I was terrified of statins because I suffer from fibromyalgia. I wondered how would I be able to tell if it was the drug or the fibromyalgia causing the muscle pains.

At any rate, I learned that 2 of my best friends were taking 40mg of generic zocor and had been for years. Somehow that got me over my fear.

I asked my doctor if I could go down to 20mg and she said no because it terms of LDL that I had "just made it". I think my doc is a little overzealous with the numbers thing.

For years, the question remained and still remains in my head:
Is it about the numbers OR is it about the ratios???

If it is about the ratios then I should be on meds at all. But after
years of struggling to get an answer to that question I just gave up.

Good luck with your decision whatever it may be.

Marie

jacal5 · 08-13-2008, 11:13 PM

cook 82, Did you take the VAP test? If HDL and triglycerides are about the same number like yours were before taking Zocor, you might have large particle LDL and didn't needed the Zocor at all.

My numbers are about the same as yours before Zocor, but I have all large particle LDL, the kind that doesn't stick, so I don't take statins.

Unfortunately most treatment decisions aren't being made based on particle size.

The statins deposit cholesterol in the gall bladder, rather than the body eliminating it. My mom has been on statins for years, and now she is facing gall bladder surgery for stones.

I read that Zocor shouldn't be taken with blood thinners, like Warafin, another statin should be used.

cook82 · 08-14-2008, 04:06 AM

Hello Jacal5

As a matter of fact I did take a VAP test about 3 years ago.
I did come out with patter A LDL density which is think is
believed to be the harmless kind. But here were the other numbers.

total 227
HDL 54
LDL 164
trigs 65
Probably metabolic syndrome - NO
LPA - 30 ( should be less than 10)
Lipoprotein (a) 79 (should be less than 30)

As a result of this test I was placed on Niaspan for about 18 months.
I went off it because it was starting to raise my glucose levels above normal which I felt was worse than the high LDL. My glucose dropped like a stone after stopping the niaspan so I am glad I went off it. My glucose was not high - just slightly out of range (112). After stopping the niaspan it dropped back down to 83 which is what is normal for me. Niaspan is great for raising HDL (mine was 92 at the last reading) but diabetics should be carefully monitored.

I was really upset about the Lipoprotein (a). I've heard bad things about it.

There is a history of stroke on my mother's side of the family. Every one of my siblings is on statins. My brother is on lipitor. What can you do??? I resisted statins for almost 10 years. I have a very busy job, I'm a caregiver at home and don't have the time right now to take good care of myself. I decided to take the simvastatin for now and put my cholesterol on autopilot. I must say it is kind of nice not to have to worry about every little thing going into your mouth and what it is doing to your LDL. It got to the point where I could not go to the doctor with any other complaint without getting lectured about this. When I would mention the high HDL I was just told that the high LDL is in and of itself an independent risk factor. I went to a cardiologist who agreed with my GP. The whole thing just became very tiresome.

Like I said, tomorrow you'll turn on the news and hear a report about how a high LDL is actually protective against heart disease. It's enough to make you crazy!

Marie