polygenic familiar combined hyperlipidemia

[jobe1968]

Bit of a mouthful. But seems to be the reason for my high cholesterol levels. Has anybody been diagnosed and treated for this.

If so were meaningful reductions in cholesterol levels made with statins.

[Zena166]

Hi. I have Familial Hypercholestraemia (I appreciate it isn’t the same so this may not be of use apologies). I struggled initially to get my cholesterol down. I have focused really hard with diet (strict vegan) and statins and is now down to about 4 which is an improvement from last year. Interestingly one of my sisters has high cholesterol the other does not. Not sure this has helped. I have found this link which may be of use.

heartuk.org.uk/health-and-h...

Best wishes Zena

[jobe1968 in reply to Zena166]

Cholesterol 2,8 mmol/L (7.2)

HDL 0.81. (0.85)

LDL. 1.49 (4.93)

Triglycerides 1.1 (3.1)

Total cholesterol/HDL ratio 3.46 (8.35)

Results from 23/06 in Brackets

Results from 03/08

So it seems the Statin is having desired effect along with diet etc

I have yet to speak with the doctor but am hopeful the improvement will at least help reduce my risk factors going forward.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to jobe1968]

It will reduce risk by limiting any further build up. If you have no symptoms it is unlikely that further tests like an angiogram would be carried out. A less publicised effect of statins is that they stabilise any plaque buildup reducing the risk of any breaking off and causing a blockage. Looks like you are doing the right things as your current results are good, although I have to add I am not medically qualified.

[jobe1968 in reply to MichaelJH]

Yes currently walking around a large nuclear power station for step building as it’s become part of my new regime at work. Still trying to increase hdl have just started on fish oil supplements.

But it’s a very motivating result to see things improving. Thank you for your feed back it’s appreciated.

Mike

[jimmyq]

"polygenic familiar combined hyperlipidemia" I think that is doctorese for "high cholesterol runs in the family".

Try a plant based diet. I am on Atorvastatin and a plant based diet. They have worked very well. My last cholesterol reading was 2.2. My dose has been reduced.

[jobe1968 in reply to jimmyq]

Is 2.2 the ratio or total. It confuses me which figure is used. My combined is about 2.5 but the ration approx 3.5

I read >6 for the ratio means high risk. At the point of my heart attack my ratio was >8. However I was ignorant of the fact. Hence the event

[jimmyq in reply to jobe1968]

I assume that 2.2 is the total as my GP was very pleased with it but I don't know for certain.

[jobe1968 in reply to jimmyq]

Glad it’s working for you. I am on the same statin at 80mg dose. This is the secondary prevention dose as advised by nice. I don’t notice any side effects.

Since 2007 when I got a cholesterol reading of 7 and every time the optician noted high cholesterol markers when doing my eye tests I was asking my GP about my lipids profile. Statins were in the news the bma was advising wide use. Yet my GP blanked me and told me they did not treat at that level.

Since then my specialist I was referred to after the heart attack informs me in his opinion with my family risk factors and weight I was a prime candidate for statins to substantially reduce my risk of a cardiac event.

I feel very let down by the GP. And after the HA changed my doctor to one who seems to be more up to speed with current practice.

If and buts and all that but it does cross my mind all my recent trauma could have been avoided with a more whole health outlook from the GP rather than just patching up already ill people.

What my HA taught me is I am responsible for my health, diet etc I can effect but genetics are beyond my capacity to effect change. I need to push for good outcomes and question when needed.

My sister who is four years older has almost the same cholesterol level I had at the time of my HA. I informed her of my illness and she told me she had just had her medical everything was ok she was only 6.9!!! And her GP was fine with that, she is a nurse albeit now more of a case worker but you would think they would know what is a high level.

Currently my HDL is low and I am hoping good quality fish oil supplements will help regards this. However only time will tell.

Regards. M

[kel55 in reply to jobe1968]

hi, l also have hyperlipademia, my father and uncle have it aswell. for those who dont know, we produce too many fat lipids and these have to go somewhere, with me it is fat lumps and ive had a large scrotum lipoma recently removed other have fat lumps in other places.

My cholesterol was always around the 6 mark until l had heart disease and they put me on simvastatin now it is averaging just over 3.

[jobe1968 in reply to kel55]

Mine seems to have concerned itself well blocking my LAD. Although it was the optician who first saw the signs and advised me to see the doctor. Regular eye and dental checks can yield a lot of diagnostic information.

Since my early thirties I may have been described as a fat lump!

Current trying to get back to a more normal weight and BMI. In my twenties 72 kg. Now at fifty I have slimmed down to 115 from 128 in June. It’s a work in progress.

[kel55 in reply to jobe1968]

same here jobe, 6'1" 125kg just a slip of a 60year old, l cannot shift it

[jobe1968 in reply to kel55]

Mine was going relatively quickly until I returned to my desk job. Currently in Finland.

So it’s come to weighing my portions to get some control and walking daily. I would like to exercise harder but despite rehab classes it still worries me if something should burst due to strain.

Building up! the plateau can’t last forever. I am using the stairs I work on the fifth floor and walking at lunch and in the evening.

Hopefully weight loss will resume. If not the activity is good for the cholesterol regardless.

I have tried the local gym but find it off putting seeing all my Polish electricians staring at

muscles in the mirror. And to think I thought women had mirror issues. Some of my young guys can stare at themselves

for minutes if they think nobody is looking.

[jimmyq in reply to jobe1968]

You could try going vegan to lose weight. It is easier than you think. There are a fair few good cookery books around and the meals can be pretty fabulous. We have just bought "The China Study Cookbook". We haven't tried any of the recipes yet but there are some exciting-looking ones. It's not about Chinese recipes, it's about a plant-based diet.

[jimmyq in reply to jimmyq]

Also, on a vegan diet, I know that the cholesterol in my blood stream is what my body has put there.

[jimmyq in reply to jimmyq]

That sounds like we are just turning vegan. We have been at it since March 1st but increasing our repertoire at the moment, hence the new book.

[jobe1968 in reply to jimmyq]

I have the China study book. My cholesterol is good currently LDL is 1.5 triglycerides 1.1 my problem is a low HDL. 0.81. Ideally this would be 1.6 but greater than 1 would be nice.

Oily Fish is shown to have a positive benefit as do exercise, not smoking and being a good weight.

I am reducing in weight and exercising every day so hopefully at my next blood test I will see some gains.

I should add the cholesterol has improved due to statins and diet. Previously it was very high