Higher cholesterol

[Michael8466]

Originally Posted by kingskid

Go figure. One of the things that can skew readings is dieting. That could very well be your case. You may get a more accurate reading in a few months.

I was surprised when my triglycerides went up even after losing some weight. I know I need to do more cardio, but I'm pretty limited due to my back problems. My doctor said he would prescribe something else than Lovastatin next month. I asked him about Niacin and he said not to take it.

[Red60]

Originally Posted by Michael8466

My doctor said he would prescribe something else than Lovastatin next month. I asked him about Niacin and he said not to take it.

Did you doctor give you a reason for not using the Niacin?
What was his opinion on using fish oil? It is very effective at lowering TGs and has had a lot of study.

[namelessme]

I agree with Red's recommendations. But I'd also like to add that you should make sure you are taking enough fish oil. I see you mentioned that the doctor recommended fish pills. How many grams of omega 3 are you taking daily?

For such a high triglyceride level, you probably should be taking 3-4 grams of omega-3 daily, at least to start with, broken up into 3 daily doses. If using over the counter pills, this can be up to 10-13 pills daily (best to find higher concentrates, liquid or even prescription form, to cut the number down).

Did the doctor tell you what he preferred over niacin? Another statin, or maybe a fibrate?

[Michael8466]

Thanks for the replies, I've been taking 3,000mg for the past 3 months of the omega 3 fish oil. I guess that hasn't been enough. Do you mean I should be taking a lot more capsules? I also started taking garlic pills as well this past month. He didn't say why not to take the Niacin. He just said he would put me on something else next month. I guess he wants my liver numbers to come back down before he prescribes something else. I wish I knew what dropped my total cholesterol but raised my triglyserides. As for my liver numbers I know it was the medication that raised them so high, almost double. If I could take 100 capsules a day of fish oil to be able to eat white rice again I would. It was easier to stop eating meat than the rice. Thanks

[namelessme]

Originally Posted by Michael8466

Thanks for the replies, I've been taking 3,000mg for the past 3 months of the omega 3 fish oil. I guess that hasn't been enough. Do you mean I should be taking a lot more capsules? I also started taking garlic pills as well this past month. He didn't say why not to take the Niacin. He just said he would put me on something else next month. I guess he wants my liver numbers to come back down before he prescribes something else. I wish I knew what dropped my total cholesterol but raised my triglyserides. As for my liver numbers I know it was the medication that raised them so high, almost double. If I could take 100 capsules a day of fish oil to be able to eat white rice again I would. It was easier to stop eating meat than the rice. Thanks

When you say 3000mg of fish oil, is that omega-3 dosage, or just the oil? 3 pills daily?

If you look at the bottle it should list the omega-3 amount per pill. You are going to want approx. 3000mg omega-3/daily. So if a pill has 300mg omega-3, that equals 10 pills to get to 3000mg. If you have bleeding problems, or are taking a blood thinner, speak to your doctor before taking a dose like this.

I recommend chatting with your doctor about the fish oil dosage anyway. I assume he/she mentioned how much to take, but sometimes doctors can be vague. You can also find fish oil capsules with 600mg+/pill, liquid forms, or ask your doctor for Lovaza, which is a high concentrate omega-3 prescription. But only go that route if you have health insurance, as otherwise it'd bankrupt you.

I'd also suggest forgetting about your rice days. If you must have rice, go with brown rice and in small portions. Eliminate refined carbs, wheat, cookies, cakes, crackers, bread, rices, and fruit juices (or reduce as much as you can).

There are other medications besides niacin and statins for triglyceride problems, like fibrates, but their mortality rates frankly stink.

And ask your doctor for a lipoprotein test along with Lp(a), c-reactive protein and ****cysteine. There is a good chance you have a lot of small particle LDL due to your very high triglycerides. It might not be a bad idea to ask for a A1c test too, since your glucose is a bit on the high side.

Hope this info is of some help.