Triglycerides- MS question for Bearygood - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

MSNik · 11-19-2007, 05:55 PM

Triglycerides and MS- its something Ive been wondering about...
I have been studying up on Triglycerides- I have been told over and over they have nothing to do with liver function, (which was what I was addressing in the other post.) And, I have been told that they are genetic- as far as being prone to having high ones....another interesting fact, is that over 200 is considered high, yet mine are only 184, and my lab marks that as high...
Interestingly enough too, they are part of the lipid panel, which measures cholesterol, etc....and the most interesting part of all is that I dont fit any of the criteria which usually leads to higher levels of triglycerides. No fat around my waist, no high cholesterol at all- actually Im healthy as can be, if you forget I have MS ! I did call my doctor, and we did talk about this, Im not going to be able to see him until January, but he honestly doesnt think its Rebif related at all- he is more prone to thinking that having been on B/C pills for so long might be the culprit. Taking care of that issue in January, too.

I guess the only reason I felt compelled to post this is to find out what you get from it, but also to clarify, that although having blood work done regularly while on any interferon, its not always going to elevate one's liver function and also on the insert, it states very clearly that it MAY elevate your liver panel in the first 3 months, however, this usually reverses itself as the body gets accustomed to the drug.
I wanted to pass this along to you, and I do think its ok to post, as it is a WebMD link..

[url]http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/tc/high-triglycerides-overview[/url][

From what Im reading on their site, this really isnt liver function related...do you get something different from it?

Meanwhile, PT is starting to help my neck....can I get to the GP about my fat cells in January? Things are alittle rough right now!

Have a wonderful thanksgiving Bearygood. (and everyone else reading this!)
Hugs,
N

Bearygood · 11-19-2007, 06:23 PM

Gee, I'm sure not an expert, Nikki, but I do know the liver is involved in fat metabolism so that's why I thought (and thought that YOU thought) that it's possible that Rebif might be responsible. I'll take a look at the link and see if I can find out anything else on the subject.

As far as ranges go with anything though, what is "normal" might not be normal for everyone in question. In other words, if there is a big difference between what someone's level is usually and then it shoots up (or down) there's something going on. So, I think one thing you should definitely do is compare it to your earlier tests and see if there's a big variance or there's been an upward trend since starting the drug. If it's just off a few points from where it was before, chances are that it might just have been a fluke. Make sense? (And sure, it's possible that if there IS a culprit, it might be something other than the Rebif -- although I don't think it's the fish oil.

)

Bearygood · 11-19-2007, 06:44 PM

Couldn't find a thing except as you said, possible elevation to to BC pills. You know what though, wouldn't hurt to put in a call to Lifelines, just to see if there have been any reports. Even though it's not listed as a side effect in their info., they might be able to give you some more insight.

Let's hope it was just a fluke -- it's possible!

MSNik · 11-19-2007, 07:07 PM

Hey girlfriend. Thanks for your thoughts. I do appreciate it. I have spoken to the Rebif nurses, my MS specialist and everyone else involved, there isnt any apparent link between elevated Tri's and Rebif, but anything is possible. Like MS, Rebif can affect people differently.
As for the trend you pointed out, thats where all this started, and you are correct, I did think it was due to Rebif...my tests came back from 148 (normal according to WebMd reports) to 155 to 179 then 184 over the course of a year...big jumps- no, which is why my Neuro isnt freaking out...but noticable enough ( I pay attention to these things) that I was concerned...

So, now we look into b/c? Possible...also genetics...I did turn 40 last year, its possible that this is just something that as I age, my body is experiencing. I also did switch b/c pills about a year and a half ago- onto a lower dose estrogen, and a continuous cycle pill...my gyn says not to worry until Im off of the pill for 6 months and if it continues climbing, we do more tests then...my GP says "who knows?" and my Neuro says its not high enough to be concerned...meanwhile, Im juggling way too much (wonder if stress affects it?) and until January, everything besides general MS care is put on hold...Im scheduling my relapse for February! (wouldnt it be nice to be able to schedule those things?)

I dont know...its all too overwhelming...the good news is I feel great overall..
Hope you are having a feel good week too...and seriously- thanks for getting back to me on this, I value your opinion.
Hugs,
Nikki

Bearygood · 11-19-2007, 07:32 PM

Interesting. Because of the climb over the course of the year, to me that's actually more reason to think that a drug might be the culprit. (I don't think it's because you turned 40.

) Just keep an eye on it and see what happens when you go off the pill and in the meantime, I've asked some other people on Rebif and will let you know what they say.