Anyone with high cholesterol?

[surgtech1956]

I had some lab work done and my cholesterol is 204, HDL 57 and LDL 135. I have a doctor's appt Tuesday and I know she's going to want to put me on something. Anyone on medication??

[KnottedYet]

My doc and I would both do ecstatic handsprings and cartwheels if my cholesterol were that low!

I'm not on anything. Betcha all your doc will do is tell you to lower the amount of fat you eat and get more exercise.

Metamucil is more effective at lowering cholesterol and heart disease risk for women than statins, so don't decide to take statins as a shortcut.

(all the preliminary statin studies were done on men. even among men, the risk of heart attack is only lowered by 2%. the risk of muscle-wasting disease side effects is 15%. among women, the later studies found ZERO decrease in risk of heart disease. the cholesterol goes down, but the heart disease risk doesn't. you are better off changing your diet and activity levels and adding more fiber to your diet through food choices or psyllium husk fiber than taking statins.)

As my doc so lovingly said: Eat more vegetables and get off your butt! :D

[LBTC]

My naturopath is working on her masters degree and the last sessions were on adrenal stress. An interesting finding is that stress will raise cholesterol even in people with a great diet and exercise routine. That stress can be caused by the usual outside factors we are all familiar with, or by more internal factors including food that you don't tolerate particularly well, etc.

Diet and exercise are definitely the best methods of improving your cholesterol rating, but if that's not enough, finding a way to better support the adrenal system may be the next thing to try before resorting to drugs.

This is the woman who helped me get from barely being able to walk my dogs around the block a year ago, to racing weekly time trials and preparing for a 6 hour mountain bike race in a week. What she says worked very well for me, so when she has something to say, I believe her. :D

Sending lots of calming, energizing, stress and cholesterol reducing butterflies your way,

and hugs, too,
~T~

[Crankin]

Your ratio of hdl to ldl is more important than your total. They most probably will not put you on medication.
My total has gone from 244 to 218 from cycling and eating well. I asked about medication at one point, but they wouldn't even consider it, because my hdl was 81-- the highest the doctor had ever seen. My hdl is now about 75, which is still way above what it needs to be. I would still like to get the total below 200, but it's taking a long time to do that!
As long as your ldl isn't too bad and your triglycerides are low, diet and exercise will be the first line of defense.

[surgtech1956]

Thanks girls. I'm not one for medication - its bad enough that I take Celebrex(for my knee) - which I want to get off of. Stress could be a factor - I have been under alot of stress(worker's compensation stress):eek:.

[mupedalpusher]

I have high cholesterol and recently started statins. My thyroid disease seemed to drive my cholesterol up and my family has a history of high cholesterol. The good news for me is that I have very low triglycerides and CRP which are important markers to look at. So, the thinking is that my elevated total cholesterol may not actually be affecting me and could still just be elevated due to my thyroid disease.

My doctor debated not treating with statins but after several visits she decided to go ahead. My boss is one of the top researchers in cardiovascular disease and believes that statins have benefits for most people, so I started a very low dose a few months ago. I still don't like taking them and have seriously considered going off them and just doing fiber and diet changes. I am due to get my levels checked so I guess at that point I'll decide. If the statins haven't helped drastically I am certainly going off them. My next approach might be to go off statins and on metamucil to see if it gives me equal benefits. I can't take both at once because I wouldn't know which one helped. I'm my own little experiment at this point, but what do you expect from someone who has worked in research for 25 years!

[Red Rock]

I fit into the category around where you do surgtech1956. Im 209-210. All of my other numbers are good. My dad was going to go to statins but my younger brother, who is a personal trainer, was able to have his numbers dropped w/out the meds. I have not had a chance to talk to him since I had mine checked to figureout what I can do to change things. My diet is pretty clean because I had this problem earlier but the doc has not said much to me so I guess its all "ok"?

Ellen

[Jolt]

204 is just barely over the "desirable" level (that being 200) for total cholesterol--it's not high. In addition, your total-to-HDL ratio is about 3.6, which puts it well under the goal of 5.0 that it should be below. LDL, at 135, is slightly above the "desirable" level (which is 130) but not by much. HDL of 57 is fine, and triglycerides at 60 are well below the cutoff. If anyone starts talking about putting you on meds for these levels, you can tell them to take a hike! BTW, at my most recent physical my total was higher than yours (207).

[stacy]

Two years ago my cholesterol was too high...(dont remember the numbers) but my dr gave me 2 months to get it under control or go on medication. I started immediately having oatmeal every morning and 12 almonds everyday. At the end of two months it was considered normal/acceptable. Might be worth a try? This "cure" was given to me by an friend who had had the same problem. Good Luck!

[Red Rock]

Stacy- what did you eat during the summer months when it is warmer?

I have been watching out for oat-like cold cereals but they are hard to come by. I have been using a high bran cereal but that most likely will not work.

Suggestions?

Ellen

[KnottedYet]

Cheerios are oats.

You can also make your own muesli. We used to do it by putting a bunch of rolled oats, dried fruit, chopped nuts, and powdered milk in a jar. Shake it all up. B'fast was a scoop of that in a bowl with cold milk poured on it. (just like store-bought cereal)

I can't eat oats anymore cuz of my damm celiac disease, so I'm left with the Metamucil. I'd rather eat muesli!

[Red Rock]

Knot-thankyou for the suggestion. I will have to try this. On the oats, are you talking the old fasioned kind? The type that is cooked on the stove the old way?

Thankyou:D:D

Ellen

[KnottedYet]

Yup, old fashioned rolled oats. (not the *quick* oats, they just get mushy and nasty in the cold milk)

The oats soften up without losing their texture, very easy to eat. With the dried fruit and the nuts you end up with a rich and satisfying stick-to-your-ribs breakfast without the fat of my other favorite b'fast: two scrambled eggs with melted cheddar cheese and 2 slices of fried Spam.

Sigh. I miss muesli. I REALLY miss scrambled eggs with cheese and Spam!

[stacy]

I still eat the oatmeal in the summer. Just put a bit of yogurt and fruit on it and let it cool it down a bit before eating. It also keeps me from getting hungry mid morning.

Stacy

[sundial]

I'm not one for medication - its bad enough that I take Celebrex(for my knee) - which I want to get off of. Stress could be a factor - I have been under alot of stress(worker's compensation stress):eek:.

I have always battled borderline high cholesterol. I'm with Knot, try the Metamucil, reduce your stress (which may reduce your arthritic pain) and cycle lots to keep your joints flexible and happy. :D With regular aerobic exercise, some of the benefits you may experience is an increase in your good cholesterol (HDL) and lower blood pressure. Also, if you can maintain a good weight, your joints will be happier too which is easier said than done when you are approaching middle age. :o

I hate taking Rx pills too. I am the worst patient at taking pills on a regular basis. If it doesn't come in patch form, forget it! :rolleyes:

[tulip]

I've been as high as 317 (when I was in my 20s) to the 190s. I got it down by eating right and exercising, which has enabled me to lose the amount of weight I needed to. I was perhaps 20lbs overweight at my heaviest. I eat alot of veggies and always an apple a day. I don't like oatmeal very much, but I do like cheerios.

I haven't tried the Metamucil, but perhaps I will. I go in for a checkup this summer.

My doc said that with my family history, the low 200s is fine, but I need to make sure it doesn't creep up.

[surgtech1956]

The doctor wants to give me 3 months to lower my cholesterol - without medication. I don't really eat beef and pork, but do eat margarine/butter, eggs and cheese. I use way too much butter, so I'm going to cut butter and cheese and keep the eggs. I'm going to try the oatmeal(long cooking) - I eat the quick oats - thought this was as good as the long cooking, but guess not. Almonds are good too? I also need to reduce my weight, with gas just going up to $3.79 a gallon, I'll be commuting as soon as it warms up a bit. She suggests I swim, I'm not a swimmer, I'll bike and walk.;)

[Pax]

The doctor wants to give me 3 months to lower my cholesterol - without medication. I don't really eat beef and pork, but do eat margarine/butter, eggs and cheese. I use way too much butter, so I'm going to cut butter and cheese and keep the eggs. I'm going to try the oatmeal(long cooking) - I eat the quick oats - thought this was as good as the long cooking, but guess not. Almonds are good too? I also need to reduce my weight, with gas just going up to $3.79 a gallon, I'll be commuting as soon as it warms up a bit. She suggests I swim, I'm not a swimmer, I'll bike and walk.;)

My doc told me she'd give me six months to let the veg diet and exercise do it's thing and then I'd have to go on Lipitor..I said "no". She seemed surprised by that. :D

[Chile Pepper]

I eat the quick oats - thought this was as good as the long cooking, but guess not. Almonds are good too?

Quick oats are fine--they contain the same fiber and nutrients that traditional oats contain. The problem is with the flavored packets of instant, which contain lots of sugar and not as many oats. I use plain instant, add nonfat powdered milk and a dash of brown sugar or syrup, maybe some raisins or other fruit.

Yes, almonds are also good, but watch the calories.

ETA: by plain instant, I mean the big box of plain oats, not the "regular" flavor packet that still contains added yucky stuff.

[surgtech1956]

I've always liked oatmeal - my favorite next to french toast:). I quick eating the instant oatmeal a year ago. We buy the quick oats, but DGF bought the longer cooking oats.

[Brandi]

I still eat the oatmeal in the summer. Just put a bit of yogurt and fruit on it and let it cool it down a bit before eating. It also keeps me from getting hungry mid morning.

Stacy
I secound the oatmeal. Good way to help definatly. My dh eats it every single day! Maybe a piece of toast and and egg breakfast once a week if that. Tradre joe's has REALLY good instant oatmeal. not only organic but flax and blueberries and the sugar is next to nothing!

[Red Rock]

This is all good eating info. I have been a longtime supporter of the long cook/old fasioned oatmeal. I can't stand the quick or instant stuff, it just does not taste the same for me. I have come across in the grocery an oat bran hot cereal as well. It has been a good change of pace with the oatmeal. Not only that, but it seems to cook faster than the regular oatmeal.

Brandi-thanks for the Trader Joe's info. Whenever I go to Vegas, I will try to stop by there and check the place out. Are they online too? I will have to see.

I am currently looking into the museli idea from Knot. It sounds like a great way to have a cold breakfast that will stick to the ribs and not be hamful to everything else. I was on the food netwok to get some ratios of food items and other ideas and that helped at lot (for the museli).

Ellen

[sundial]

I've been as high as 317 (when I was in my 20s) to the 190s.

One time my then fiance (now hubby) and I stopped by a quickie cholesterol check at a health fair. Mine came back as 350. They re-ran the tests because they just knew they got the results mixed up with my hubby. Still the same results. At that time I was in my early 20's, did aerobics, running and weight lifting, had a low % body fat, and avoided fast food for the most part. I got so mad when they whipped out the diet sheet and told me to quit eating McDonald's hamburgers. :mad:

[surgtech1956]

Yes, I like Knot's idea too. Knot you use powdered milk or you mix it into the museli mix and then add milk?

Wish we had a Trader Joe's here.

[KnottedYet]

Yes, I like Knot's idea too. Knot you use powdered milk or you mix it into the museli mix and then add milk?

Wish we had a Trader Joe's here.

We always mixed the powdered milk into the muesli. Then when you add regular milk (when you eat it) you get more protein and a nice rich flavor.

I have no idea what the proportions were. We just mixed and added until it looked right...

[pll]

I was dealing with the high cholesterol issue last fall and managed to avoid medications so far... My favorite winter breakfast is oats: I boil a chopped and some raisins in water, then add the thick oats. I serve that with a tiny bit of honey and cinnamon.

In the fall, I started adding 2 tblsp of ground flaxseed. I also started to have a glass of red wine with dinner and tried some "Promise Activ supershots (http://www.promisehealthyheart.com/products_supershots.asp)" I found in the supermarket -- has anyone else tried those? I don't know if they work, but I'm drinking them as dessert...

Once it gets warm, I'll switch to muesli with plain kefir (and a grated apple).

Now that you mention almonds, I will get some!

[mcoleman]

Another way to add oats, especially in warmer weather, is to put 1/4 cup of raw oats in a smoothie. I make mine with plain yogurt, strawberries, oats and a little milk.

[Crankin]

What's the daily dosage for Metamucil?

[divingbiker]

Here's a recipe for muesli a friend gave me a few years ago. (Don't know which cookbook it's from, so I can't credit it properly.)

Morning Muesli

4 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/4 cups whole bran cereal (like All-Bran or Bran Buds)
3/4 cup chopped almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, or pecans
1 cup dried apricots or dried pitted sweet cherries
1 cup dark golden raisins

Place all ingredients in a large bowl and stir to mix well. Transfer to an airtight container and store for up to one month.

To serve, place 1/2 cup of the muesli in an individual serving bowl. Add 3/4 cup skim or low-fat milk or plain or vanilla yogurt. Stir, and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutritional info for 1/2 cup muesli only:
Calories: 168
Carbohydrate: 28g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Fat: 3.9g
Fiber: 5.9g
Protein: 5.6g
Sodium: 65mg
Calcium: 54mg

[KnottedYet]

What's the daily dosage for Metamucil?

What I got from the research papers and from the Metamucil jar is 7 grams of psyllium a day. (well, one paper I read used 7.25 grams a day, but that's close enough)

Pretty much one "dose" (which is about 2 1/2 g fiber) with each meal.

I buy the Metamucil with sugar and flavorings, so 1 tablespoon of that is one dose. Mixed in a big glass of water, tastes kinda like orange juice, drink it fast before it congeals.

3 doses a day caused me ummmm a little distress, so I just do two. Had my chol checked a couple days ago and we'll just have to see if 2 a day is enough.

Edit To Add: one cool side effect for me is that the Metamucil seems to really help stabilize the surge in my celiac disease which afflicts me every spring. Spiffy!

[bean fidhleir]

I take fish-oil caps for high chol. And I'm trying to shift the 50 extra lbs I'm carting around, but that seems to be more difficult these days.

[Crankin]

Thanks, Knott. I am a little worried it might be too "stimulating" for me.

[Red Rock]

Thank you divingbiker for your recipies. I will have to try them out. I have been having fun collecting all of my ingredients to make my "cold cereal" using Knots recipie as a base.

So far I have the oats, came across a 9 grain cereal at the health food store, so I thought I would mix that in, raisins, almonds, and dry milk. I think that is it so far. I will have to see how this goes.

Knot- when you mentioned Cheerios, I was like "man, I have not had those in so long." I was craving them until I went to the store and bought myself a box. They really taste good. Thankyou for reminding my tastebuds of how good they are.:D

[Bike Goddess]

High cholesterol is always an interesting topic for me as well. In June of 2006 my total Cholesterol was 251mg/dL. HDL was 92mg/dL and LDL was 150mg/dL. (She said that my high HDL was due to all of the cycling I was doing -training for the SF/LA AIDS ride that year).
She also wanted to put me on medication BUT I researched this as well and noted that my ratio was just fine. I've managed to avoid meds so far.

I've not been tested since, and now I am riding even more than I was in "06. And, I've not got job stress anymore which I also think may have contributed.

One of these days I'll get another blood test to see how I am doing. Not too worried however. I am mostly a vegetarian, don't eat a lot of fat, and do fiber (Fiber Perfect) regularly as well as eat lots of raw vegies.

I'm thinking that some of this cholestorol stuff is hereditary. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

Stay away from meds if you can- IMHO>:)

[surgtech1956]

Hereditary a factor - most definitely.

[sandra]

:( I read this thread and never posted. My doctor gave me 6 months to change my eating habits, exercise and lose a few pounds and try to get mine down. I've been trying hard, really.

I got my blood work done yesterday and my cholesterol is even HIGHER than it was 6 months ago.

Total 255. My LDL is 182 and my HDL is 52. I have an appointment on Monday to go in and see him. I can imagine what he is going to tell me. (6 months ago it was 244)

[Red Rock]

Sandra: Good luck with your next visit. My numbers, I think have been consitent through time, so I am being more aggressive about it this time around. My doc has not said anything to me either.

Genetics might be the case here, but I know my dad got his levels down to where they need to be with my brothers help with food and exercise. So I have to be more deligent about getting my exercise in, I guess.

Ellen

[carpaltunnel]

I eat oatmeal, rolled oats actually, winter and summer. I cook a week's worth at a time with apples, almonds, etc. and keep it in the fridge - whack off a chunk every morning and warm it up a little bit, eat it without milk. ( Hate milk so I have to drink it real fast to get it down, oatmeal is too slow.)

Also metamucil every day, start slow and work up so you don't overload on fiber all at once. Your body will get used to it.
Exercise too, as vigorous as you can - but I'll bet you all ready are doing that.
I'm 60 + and my cholesteral is 146.

Give it a try, it's a lot cheaper and more natural than pills. Good luck!

[surgtech1956]

Sandra - good luck. What did you eliminate or add to your diet?? Do you think you've had more stress?

[newfsmith]

My cholesterol has been steadily rising since my early 40's, finally going over 200 in my fifties and 2 years ago hitting 287 with an HDL of 85, LDL 174, and triglycerides of 90. That seemed to be the year that everything went wrong. Besides those stellar figures while having lost 18 lbs since 2000, and riding 3000 miles a year while living a mostly vegatarian lifestyle, I developed a kidney stone and was diagnosed as having osteoporosis. One of the consequences of the kidney stone (calcium oxalate) was that I was advised to eat a low oxalate diet. A low oxalate diet can be best described as an anti-heart healthy diet: no nuts, no oatmeal, seeds or whole grains, no dark green leaves, and especially no soy products. Because of that I agreed to start taking Lovastatin. At the same time the endocrinologist I was seeing because of osteoporosis discovered that although my T3 & T4 were normal my TSH was high, and climbing, so I also started Levothyroxine. Of course, I was put on Fosamax. After 6 months my liver values started to rise, and on re-check 2 months later had continued to rise, so I was pulled off the Lovastatin. Then the Fosamax started giving me GERD and I came off that. I'm currently waiting to get an appoint to start Reclast, which I don't expect to be any fun. They tell me I'm supposed to start taking Tylenol 3 days before the injection. I want my liver to have had a chance to recover before I take any Tylenol. I've decided to take my chances with another kidney stone, because I just can't believe that diet is healthy, although I am still avoiding soy products. Hopefully, the thyroid supplementation will help bring down my cholesterol some as well. My take on statins is that they did bring my cholesterol down to 207, but the warnings about liver problems are real, so if you do start a statin be sure to get a follow-up liver profile before your next annual exam. As a cyclist, I had been more concerned about the reports of muscle problems, but did not have any of them. The American Heart Association has some online calculaters for your cardiac risk factors. It is worthwhile going through them and taking a copy with you to your MD to see what other lifestyle changes you can make before you decide to try statins.

[Red Rock]

On the Metamucil it says speak with the doc before starting. Is this so that you don't overload your system with fiber? or so that they can pretend they know what they are talking about when it comes to nutrition?

When it comes to speaking with the doc, how many of us can actually speak with the doc on a casual basis about a concern and get an answer? I know my GP is full to the gills seeing patients all day.

Is the Metamucil concidered a drug or a supplement? It is in the pharmacy section so that is why I ask, plus all of its WARNINGS.

How do you cut up whole almonds? Is there a better way than just with a knife and a cutting board? Ideas?

Thankyou,
Red Rock

[divingbiker]

How do you cut up whole almonds? Is there a better way than just with a knife and a cutting board? Ideas?

Pulsing them in a food processor works.

[IFjane]

Hereditary a factor - most definitely.

I have been following this thread since it started but did not post because of so many varying ideas/opinions, etc. Surgtech's comment hit home and I had to post. I have had high cholesterol all my life. I inherited it from my father. No doubt about that.

Waaaaay back in 1968 the National Institutes of Health "discovered" the suspected relationship between cholesterol and heart attacks. My father happened to be at Bethesda Naval Hospital for an unrelated issue. He had had a heart attack in 1965 (at the age of 48). NIH had contacted Bethesda (conveniently located across the street) for anyone who fit their profile. My dad did. He agreed to be a Guinea pig for them & consequently, the rest of us in the family were tested as well. My mom and brother did not have high cholesterol. I did. I was 13. I don't remember my levels then, but the entire family immediately went on a low-cholesterol diet. I did not get my cholesterol checked again until age 35. My total cholesterol was 350+. The doctor put me on a statin and I have been on them ever since. I have no idea if being on this maintenance drug is good or not - what I will say is that in 2000, because of my fitness level at the time, my PCP took me off the drug to see what would happen. Almost immediately my levels jumped to over 300.... I am one of those people whose bodies manufacture cholesterol.

I eat oatmeal EVERY morning for breakfast, drink only skim milk, eat red meat in moderation, lots of fruit, lots of fiber, lots of veggies....red wine ;)....etc. etc. I hate taking a maintenance drug - I have lots of aches & pains that I wonder if they are caused by the drug.....but.....

My father had a heart attack at the age of 48 & was told he was lucky to be alive; he went on drugs for his cholesterol 3 years later, thanks to NIH, (the drugs changed over the years as the research pointed in different directions).....and he died in 2002 - at the age of 84. I know the disclaimer is that statins and other cholesterol-lowering drugs do not prevent heart attacks, but I cannot believe that he would have lived that long - and for most of those years he was VERY active - heart attack free - without the help of those drugs.

Your thoughts?

[Crankin]

I agree. I would take the meds if my situation warranted it. It doesn't mean you are "weak." My husband is in a similar situation. Horrible family history on both sides. He is an extremely fit cyclist, yet he still needed to have 2 stents put in because he had 2 80% blockages, which he had fixed about a year after he started on statins. His cholesterol is now really low, as is his bp. I really believe he would be dead if it wasn't for these drugs.

[carpaltunnel]

IFJane, wow! Your dad was in exactly the right place at the right time!

I guess my fingers were typing faster than my brain was thinking, because upon rereading my post, it sounds like I'm opposed to meds. Quite to the contrary, I've taken medicine to keep my blood pressure down for 30 years. I've had high blood pressure since I was 6 or 7, but prefer to handle my health issues behaviorally if possible.

[sandra]

Sandra - good luck. What did you eliminate or add to your diet?? Do you think you've had more stress?
Sorry, I've been gone and I'm just now seeing this. Hubby needs a heart healthy diet too so we have been eating more fresh vegetables and fruits. I NEVER eat anything like bacon or sausage. I ate oatmeal some, but I must confess, I'm not really crazy about it, so I eat more cereal.

Stress? Son got married 6 weeks ago. Think this counts as stress?:D

Also age. I'm 52. My compounding pharmacist explained that as hormone production decreases, cholesterol tends to increase. I'm working on getting those hormones straightened out with BHRT.

[KnottedYet]

Cool!

Just got my latest chol results back. 5 weeks of Metamucil 1 or 2 doses a day, and my chol dropped by 24 points. Hot dog!

I've got a date with my doc for another chol test in 3 months. I'm also supposed to be losing 20 lbs and increasing my excercise, so hopefully I'll add those in to the equation and lower it some more.

More veges! More Metamucil! More bikes!
(really, I need more bikes to get more exercise, right? :D)

[sandra]

I wasn't so fortunate. 6 months and I ate healthy, exercised and lost 10 lbs. My cholesterol went UP!!! So he started me on cholesterol medicine.

Plus he rolled his eyes about the BHRT. He doesn't like me on it. Said to discuss it with my gyno MD, but it DOES increase my risk of breast cancer. :(

[Red Rock]

Congrats Knott- also I love your cereal. It really sticks to you. I have been looking into those "High fiber" foods some more and trying to incoporate them into my diet. They actually make me feel more full. So I guess that is a good thing. I also picked up some of the Metamucil and have been doing one a day. I would like to make the increase with as much "natural" food as possible.

I made this great soup with lentils, quinoa, and barley and tons of veggies and chicken for work.

Now my problem is exercise on days when I am working my 10's. My next struggle.

[farrellcollie]

For those who don't like oatmeal - may I suggest trying the steel cut oats. They have more texture and (I think- more flavor too) than rolled oats. I like to use rolled oats or cooked steel cut oats in whole wheat waffles too.

I am going to see if my gf will try the metamucil - she has high chol. and is on all kinds of meds.