Anyone with high cholesterol?

[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).

[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!

[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).

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. 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.

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!

[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.

[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.