Cholesterol, what the?

[ACG]

So my cholesterol was super high, 250, I don't have the breakdown of the HDL and LDL, yet, my doctor called me to say it was high and she wants me on a low dose statin. We talked about the side effects which she said were muscle aches. Then she talked about blood in my urine, I've always had blood in my urine, since forever, like in my 20's. During all my pregnancies, etc. (I'm 52 now). Had a urologist perform lots of tests, no conclusion as to why afte all those tests. So today I had to sign a release so that my records from previous doctors can be released to her (I've only seen the current doctor only wice in 2 years and only for physicals).

I don't like the idea of going on a statin.

I can't exercise any more than I do now, 5 days a week. (long rides on weekends, short rides during the week, or rowing)
I don't eat processed food, red meat or lots and lots of eggs or fatty foods.
No history of heart disease in my family, that I know of. Everyone lives to be well into their 90's.
I've lost 15lbs in the last 6 months, went froma size 12 to a size 8.
Don't smoke, never have.
Eat oatmeal almost every day.Eat Spinach 3 days a week. Do like my corn tortillas, eat only low fat cheese, do eat low fat greek yogurt, fat free milk, fish once a week.

The doctor seemed so intense on getting my other records, she didn't discuss the statin issue with me anymore. But I know she will once she gets my other information she'll bug me again to take a statin. I pulled up an old thread on statins, that had some great information, it was from 2011.

Any other advice?

[VeganBikeChick]

Would you really miss meat/dairy if you gave it up altogether? You certainly have a very healthy sounding diet. I'm wondering if you went all plant-based for a month (aka cholesterol-free) how your levels would look. Even if just to avoid going on statins. That being said, sometimes nothing but medicine can treat hypercholesterolemia. Doesn't hurt to try...

[Owlie]

I'd wait for the HDL/LDL breakdown. How are your triglyceride levels?

I am neither a doctor nor a pharmacist, but if you've got a healthy diet and minimal risk factors for heart disease outside the cholesterol (and that depends on your HDL/LDL), then the statin is your choice to take or not. While I'm all for better living through chemistry when appropriate, I'm also all for not taking something if you don't have to. You could try going vegetarian for a month or so, but my guess is that the source of your cholesterol isn't necessarily dietary.

(The risk of muscle issues with statins, if I'm remembering my pharmacology class properly, is pretty low.)

[OakLeaf]

Decent layperson's article here, with links to research.

There's some evidence that high carb diets contribute to high cholesterol. Might try cutting down on the chips and switch to less processed foods. If you want to stay with the low fat diet, try to cut out stuff like "low fat cheese" and stick with foods that are naturally low in fat.

A lot of cholesterol is genetic, but if yours has suddenly skyrocketed that is a little concerning. What's changed?

[Crankin]

I wouldn't make any decisions until you know your ratio. I have had an elevated total cholesterol since I was about 45 (around 218-220), but my HDL is so good, which gives me a great ratio (from the years of exercising), in the end no one would put me on a statin. So, it gets flagged, but when someone really looks, they say just keep doing what I'm doing. I have no family history of cardiac disease. What I do know, is that eating more red meat and cheese does make it worse. I haven't had it done this year, yet (looking for a new doc). I eat *no* junk food, save for a now very occasional ice cream, and I've upped my fish intake.
My DH has been on various statins for 10 years. He has a family history from hell, had 2 stents put in around 9 years ago, and had been cycling for around 7-8 years when this happened. He did change his diet quite a bit. He has had no side effects at all, with very aggressive treatment.

[Blueberry]

This raises more questions than it answers - but they are definitely many of the questions I would be asking: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/0...pgtype=article

[SheFly]

I have a family history of heart disease and high cholesterol. I have had levels (total) as high as 300, and as low as 180. The past two tests (so one year) have me hovering around 233. Like others have said, that DOES NOT tell the whole story! My ratio of HDL:LDL has improved, despite the numbers getting higher. Like you, I can't exercise more - I ride 10-15 hours per week already. While my diet isn't GREAT, it also isn't terrible. I have been going to the same PCP for years, and she knows me well enough that for ME, this number, and the ratio is OK as is - no statins required. We've discussed it, I've had heart tests, and we agree that we will continue to monitor every 6 months, and keep tabs on where it is.

I have tried fish oil supplements daily, to no avail. I have cut lots of foods, and reduced amounts, all to no avail. For me, it is genetic, and something I need to try to manage as best as possible.

My dad has had 3 angioplasties and a heart bypass. My paternal grandfather died of a massive heart attack at 45, and his wife (my grandmother) the same at 65. My maternal grandfather was a double amputee from arteriosclerosis, and died of a heart attack at 65. It doesn't, genetically, get any worse .

My point is, that for YOU, maybe this is OK without going on a statin. Has it been high in the past? Can you talk to your doc to see what alternatives there might be - like changing your diet more, and then re-testing in 6 months? I would wait until you had ALL of the numbers before making any decisions, but remember that ultimately, the statin is YOUR choice.

SheFly