Cholestrol Problem :(

mmorris · 05-02-2011, 11:47 AM

Help

My cholesterol has always been high.. I know that.

I had a TIA (maybe AIT??) (stroke) due to hip surgery and heart disease has taken many in my family, so my doctor wants to put me on meds.
I think I'm o.k with that but I want to know if anyone is on them and doing Atkins successfully. She said she wants me to continue on Atkins but just take the meds. I know all the information posted about cholesterol and agree with it however I am wondering if I should not be so worried... This is confusing.
My doctor says normally she would not be concerned however with the above mentioned I am at risk... Any help would be appreciated

CHD Risk 4.1
Cholesterol 301
HDL Chol 76
NON HDL CHOL 233
TRIGLYCERIDES 79

The Rose · 05-02-2011, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmorris

Help

My cholesterol has always been high.. I know that.

I had a TIA (maybe AIT??) (stroke) due to hip surgery and heart disease has taken many in my family, so my doctor wants to put me on meds.
I think I'm o.k with that but I want to know if anyone is on them and doing Atkins successfully. She said she wants me to continue on Atkins but just take the meds. I know all the information posted about cholesterol and agree with it however I am wondering if I should not be so worried... This is confusing.
My doctor says normally she would not be concerned however with the above mentioned I am at risk... Any help would be appreciated

CHD Risk 4.1
Cholesterol 301
HDL Chol 76
NON HDL CHOL 233
TRIGLYCERIDES 79

Your family history sounds like mine - I'd go ahead and start the meds, the benefits outweigh the risks IMO.

clackley · 05-02-2011, 12:19 PM

I am sorry to hear of your health concerns and issues and I would be reluctant to start meds as well. I think the best thing you can do for yourself is to do your own research. As it happens I was just listening to a podcast on this very subject and it may be of interest to you. It is Jimmy Moore interviewing Chris Kresser (Apr.13/11) and that subject matter comes up about 10 minutes or so into it. Skip the commercials and start with the preamble because it is about who Chris Kresser is. I got it free from itunes store. Good luck and let us know how you are doing.

ironic44 · 05-02-2011, 12:22 PM

I have been LCing since Feb 2010 and have lost 50 lbs...I have been on crestor for years...no issues...so side affects..

mmorris · 05-02-2011, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironic44

I have been LCing since Feb 2010 and have lost 50 lbs...I have been on crestor for years...no issues...so side affects..

Thank you I think that is what they prescribed for me.. How is your cholesterol screening now that you been on the meds?

ravenrose · 05-02-2011, 02:56 PM

as tempting as the meds are, it's not a silver bullet. bear in mind that these cholesterol lowering drugs are some of the most profitable products in the world.

there is no evidence that they provide heart protection for women, at all. the only ones for whom they seem valuable are men under 65 with a previous history of heart problems.

are you taking fish oil capsules?

how is your soluble fiber intake, such as oat fiber and glucomannan?

how low did you keep your carbs on the days leading up to that test?

mmorris · 05-02-2011, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravenrose

as tempting as the meds are, it's not a silver bullet. bear in mind that these cholesterol lowering drugs are some of the most profitable products in the world.

there is no evidence that they provide heart protection for women, at all. the only ones for whom they seem valuable are men under 65 with a previous history of heart problems.

are you taking fish oil capsules?

how is your soluble fiber intake, such as oat fiber and glucomannan?

how low did you keep your carbs on the days leading up to that test?

Thanks for your post

To answer your questions, I don't take fish oil because of the "way" after taste... I don't eat seafood so you can imagine how

gross that would be too me but I do eat plenty of cold pressed olive oil... and I have not introduced oat fiber back into my diet yet does almond meal or soy flour count for any fiber? Also I have not tried glucomamman..... Question?? Would Poly D be a good soluble fiber too use.. I am so confused about it because -ose in it.

I totally agree with the above information on cholesterol... My doctor really tries to go naturalistic with my treatments. Last time she put me on high doses of niacin and it worked but this time she thought we should a more aggressive approach to this problem.

I personally do not want to take drugs for anything....but she sounded really convincing.... my prescription is still at the Pharmacy....

tiva · 05-08-2011, 06:43 AM

Your HDL is high, which is protective, so that's great news. Your triglycerides are low, which is protective, so that's great news. Your LDL is high, but that alone means very litttle, because there are many different kinds of LDL particles. The small dense ones (Pattern B) are problematic, but the large fluffy ones (Pattern A) are harmless. Almost everyone with high HDLs and low triglycerides has Pattern A: large, fluffy, harmless LDL particles, so chances are good that your high LDL does NOT suggest extra risk.

But you don't have to speculate about this--simply get a test that shows your risk, and then you can decide about statins.

The test is called the VAP test: https://www.directlabs.com/Resources...S/Default.aspx

Personally, I don't think it makes sense to go on statins unless you have a VAP test first. If your VAP test shows that you have Pattern B, then it makes a lot of sense to consider statins, if other methods aren't helping.

mmorris · 05-08-2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiva

Your HDL is high, which is protective, so that's great news. Your triglycerides are low, which is protective, so that's great news. Your LDL is high, but that alone means very litttle, because there are many different kinds of LDL particles. The small dense ones (Pattern B) are problematic, but the large fluffy ones (Pattern A) are harmless. Almost everyone with high HDLs and low triglycerides has Pattern A: large, fluffy, harmless LDL particles, so chances are good that your high LDL does NOT suggest extra risk.

But you don't have to speculate about this--simply get a test that shows your risk, and then you can decide about statins.

The test is called the VAP test: https://www.directlabs.com/Resources...S/Default.aspx

Personally, I don't think it makes sense to go on statins unless you have a VAP test first. If your VAP test shows that you have Pattern B, then it makes a lot of sense to consider statins, if other methods aren't helping.

Thank you for all the information

I am calling my Dr. in the a.m. and having this test done stat!!

bigmomma · 05-08-2011, 02:34 PM

Hi, all...just wanted to add I had a VAP test done at a Lindora Clinic (here in So. CA.) It costed under $80, but i think they were having a special or something...not sure if they take insurance. I too have had extreeemly high choles. numbers but a nice ratio & a reassuring VAP profile (as nicely explianed by tiva!

)

mmorris · 05-08-2011, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigmomma

Hi, all...just wanted to add I had a VAP test done at a Lindora Clinic (here in So. CA.) It costed under $80, but i think they were having a special or something...not sure if they take insurance. I too have had extreeemly high choles. numbers but a nice ratio & a reassuring VAP profile (as nicely explianed by tiva!

)

I live in the mountains of NH... I wonder if I will have to travel to get one done? I will no tomorrow when I call the doc

05-02-2011, 11:47 AM	#1
mmorris Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: May 2003 Location: White Mountains, NH Posts: 5,628 Gallery: mmorris Stats: 268/128-Goal Weight Finally!! (-140 pounds gone) WOE: Atkins All the WAY!! Start Date: August 2002	Cholestrol Problem :( Help My cholesterol has always been high.. I know that. I had a TIA (maybe AIT??) (stroke) due to hip surgery and heart disease has taken many in my family, so my doctor wants to put me on meds. I think I'm o.k with that but I want to know if anyone is on them and doing Atkins successfully. She said she wants me to continue on Atkins but just take the meds. I know all the information posted about cholesterol and agree with it however I am wondering if I should not be so worried... This is confusing. My doctor says normally she would not be concerned however with the above mentioned I am at risk... Any help would be appreciated CHD Risk 4.1 Cholesterol 301 HDL Chol 76 NON HDL CHOL 233 TRIGLYCERIDES 79 __________________ I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength Philippians 4:13 Grandmother of 8 If you fail to plan, you plan to fail If it is to be, it's up to me a little note... I lost this all my weight without one ounce of exercise. I do now swim 3x a week Last edited by mmorris; 05-02-2011 at 11:48 AM..

05-02-2011, 12:19 PM	#3
clackley Chatty Cathy Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Toronto Posts: 13,013 Gallery: clackley Stats: 228.5/168/125 WOE: N.K.=vlc/hf/moderate protein & organic/pastured Start Date: Restart Oct 18 2009	I am sorry to hear of your health concerns and issues and I would be reluctant to start meds as well. I think the best thing you can do for yourself is to do your own research. As it happens I was just listening to a podcast on this very subject and it may be of interest to you. It is Jimmy Moore interviewing Chris Kresser (Apr.13/11) and that subject matter comes up about 10 minutes or so into it. Skip the commercials and start with the preamble because it is about who Chris Kresser is. I got it free from itunes store. Good luck and let us know how you are doing. __________________ Cathy Original start - Feb. 2000 180/125 "The energy content of food (calories) matters, but it is less important than the metabolic effect of food on our body." Dr. P. Attia "dumping carbohydrates on your broken metabolism is tantamount to doing jumping jacks on two broken legs" -The Spark of Reason “Eat animals. Mostly fat. Enjoy!

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05-02-2011, 12:22 PM	#4
ironic44 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New York Posts: 549 Gallery: ironic44 Stats: 260/210/199 WOE: low carb between 20 and 30 + exercise Start Date: Feb 15 2010	I have been LCing since Feb 2010 and have lost 50 lbs...I have been on crestor for years...no issues...so side affects..

05-02-2011, 02:56 PM	#6
ravenrose . Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: California Posts: 9,073 Gallery: ravenrose Stats: lost 130 lb so far, and miles to go before I sleep WOE: low carb controlled calorie Start Date: June, 2009	as tempting as the meds are, it's not a silver bullet. bear in mind that these cholesterol lowering drugs are some of the most profitable products in the world. there is no evidence that they provide heart protection for women, at all. the only ones for whom they seem valuable are men under 65 with a previous history of heart problems. are you taking fish oil capsules? how is your soluble fiber intake, such as oat fiber and glucomannan? how low did you keep your carbs on the days leading up to that test?

05-08-2011, 06:43 AM	#8
tiva Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sweden for the year Posts: 2,909 Gallery: tiva Stats: 5"6", 157/136/135, 51 yo WOE: LCHF Primal Start Date: 12/02	Your HDL is high, which is protective, so that's great news. Your triglycerides are low, which is protective, so that's great news. Your LDL is high, but that alone means very litttle, because there are many different kinds of LDL particles. The small dense ones (Pattern B) are problematic, but the large fluffy ones (Pattern A) are harmless. Almost everyone with high HDLs and low triglycerides has Pattern A: large, fluffy, harmless LDL particles, so chances are good that your high LDL does NOT suggest extra risk. But you don't have to speculate about this--simply get a test that shows your risk, and then you can decide about statins. The test is called the VAP test: https://www.directlabs.com/Resources...S/Default.aspx Personally, I don't think it makes sense to go on statins unless you have a VAP test first. If your VAP test shows that you have Pattern B, then it makes a lot of sense to consider statins, if other methods aren't helping.

05-08-2011, 02:34 PM	#10
bigmomma Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 232 Gallery: bigmomma	Hi, all...just wanted to add I had a VAP test done at a Lindora Clinic (here in So. CA.) It costed under $80, but i think they were having a special or something...not sure if they take insurance. I too have had extreeemly high choles. numbers but a nice ratio & a reassuring VAP profile (as nicely explianed by tiva! )