Cholesterol increase on statins

[Saffron63]

I’m so confused and disheartened. Today I received a copy of my discharge from cardiac rehab and it shows a total cholesterol almost double to my reading post HA. My HDL has gone up a little but my LDL has more than doubled! How can this be? How can my levels be higher since starting statins, improving my diet and exercising? Has anyone had similar experience?

[banana1982]

On my Husband's discharge letter the advice to our GP was test his cholesterol levels again as after a cardiac event the Lipid levels are artificially low. After the other halfs HA his levels were 3.7 we'll find out next week what they are now.

[Saffron63 in reply to banana1982]

Thanks for replying, that’s very interesting and probably what has happened to me. I asked loads of question on statins, what the levels meant etc but no one mentioned this. Thanks again

[Saffron63 in reply to Saffron63]

I hope your husband is recovering well and that you manage to get some rest.

[Saffron63]

Still, my HA was in February, I’ve had 3 cholesterol tests, it’s just this one where the levels have doubled..,

[Saffron63]

Thank you, just felt a little disheartened. I need to re start focusing on the positive: I’m still here!

[Jack2019 in reply to Saffron63]

ldl is important for healing inflammation and cell function , if you have health issues your ldl should be in high gear, it's doing it's job, healing inflammation. Know all your lipid levels, if your other lipids are good and your A1C is good then your ldl is a non issue and the level it's at is right for you. If your other lipids are not good then you have a problem with insulin not cholesterol.

[Saffron63 in reply to Jack2019]

Many thanks for the information

[mrpenguin]

What would you call improving your diet? Did you obtain advice on what foods you should cut out or avoid?

[jimmyq in reply to mrpenguin]

I have been vegetarian for most of my life and still got heart disease. I have only had milk in brews for years because of sinus problems. I believe that it is the cheese and butter that have blocked my arteries up.

[Mirtle]

Have they accidently given you somebody elses results?

[Pitt12345]

I went on statins after my husbands ha as my cholesterol is always high, after the first two months it cane down but raised ggt in liver, so had another test after another two months, over count was the same but cholesterol had gone up, Dr took me off saying it wasn’t worth irritating the liver when they weren’t doing their job. I am going to see a Lipid specialist. I can’t u sera tans how cholesterol came raise on statins either

[jimmyq]

Take the statins but start eating Brazil nuts and you might be able to stop the statins (with your doctor’s agreement):

nutritionfacts.org/video/fo...

[Adaboo]

telegraph.co.uk/news/health...

[Saffron63]

To improve my diet I initially saw a dietician at the cardiac rehab who said my diet was good but I needed to eat less sugar, straight sugar and sugar in the form of refined carbohydrates. I did consume far too much sugar so I’ve improved that. I’m not a veggie but have always preferred vegetables and fish to meat. I’m not overweight but I’ve lost a bit anyway and my cholesterol before HA was on the low side. I’m reading stuff that suggests inflammation not cholesterol is the issue for H.A. and I’m taking the statins for that really not for cholesterol, I know now that sugar is a bit inflammatory factor, but for statins to raise my levels when I’ve cut out other things is a bit weird, but then I’m also a bit weird, perhaps that’s why.

[Shockedwithstent]

Hello, it must be disheartening to see these results. However, you have to remember

Plant based butter is still high in saturated fat. If you ask me cut out sugar. I am told by my cardiologist to reduce eggs to 2 per week. I love avocados and now I have half per week (1 max) before you put anything in your mouth read the label. Look at the trans fat (should be 0) and saturated fat(should be less than 1g). Too much fruit is good but also turns into sugar, and sugar turns into fat. I agree information out there is really confusing but we have to be extra careful especially in our circumstances. I also read that sometimes doctors need to change the type of statins you are on. It could be the medication that is increasing your cholesterol reading. Keep us posted.

You should retest after 4-6 weeks

All the best

[jimmyq in reply to Shockedwithstent]

"Plant based butter is still high in saturated fat."

Going butter-free isn't too difficult. Suggestion: instead of butter on sandwiches use home-made oil-free hummus. On toast use 100% Peanut Butter (with bananas).

[Shockedwithstent in reply to jimmyq]

Good choice. I like it👍🏻

[fergusthegreat in reply to jimmyq]

All bread is processed and should be eaten in moderation, peanuts are an omega 6 fat so even 100% peanut butter is inflammatory and bananas are a high fructose fruit so not sure this is a healthy snack option.

[jimmyq in reply to fergusthegreat]

Tke lesser of 2 evils perhaps?

[Saffron63]

Oops meant to say ‘big’

[Ianc2]

Sugar doesn't always turn into fat if the insulin in your body can't cope with the deluge of sugar into your body. Have a look at diabetes.org for a good explanation of why you go blind and lose your legs and other extremities, and how it clings to your blood cells and makes your arteries become sticky. Interesting reading.

[willsie01]

I hope you get on top of this soon 🤗