Anyone with high cholesterol?

[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

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!