Hi All,
As we speed towards Christmas I finally received my blood results. After 3 weeks of chasing the doctor I was told they had not been sent because there was no reason to!! Here they are:
Triglycerides @ 3.01
LDL @ 1.1
HDL @ 0.75
Serum Cholesterol @ 3.3
I am wondering if I really need to be on 80mg of statins? Can I have roast turkey with all the trimmings or am I looking at a chili non-carne (which is pretty good) for X-Mas lunch!
All feedback welcome. I won't hold you to it!!
Your figures are not too bad but your HDL should really be 1.0 or higher
More oily fish might help.
As regards statin dose you need to speak to your GP. You do not say why you were prescribed them in the first place.
As regards Christmas dinner - enjoy it is only one day in the year but maybe limit the pigs-in-blankets. Venison sausages can be lean but beware some cheaper ones have a high percentage of (fatty) pork. The horrible little green bits are optional!
Thanks Michael. I thought the HDL was a bit suspect! The said they prescribed the high dose of statins because my cholesterol levels weren't low enough on 20mg that I had previously been on.
I will probably treat myself to a vegetarian sausage wrapped in quorn bacon 
However, I will allow myself some gravy on the Turkey!!
Have a great X-mas
Do you know what your levels were on 20mg? I am on 40mg with a slightly lower total and higher HDL. You can combine tablets to create say a 50mg dose (40 + 10).
It was just over 4. Thanks for the feedback. I have a meeting with the cardio team next week so will see what they say.
Mine started at 4.2 and with increasing dose it is the law of deminishing returns. Let us know the outcome please.
Will do!
Yes your HDL is a bit low. More exercise needed?
Your LDL is looking really good and seems to be low enough for potential plaque reversal if that is your aim? I’ve read the target is below 1.8 for plaque reversal and that is what I am personally aiming for.
I would be concerned about the triglycerides as guidelines are to get them below 1.7 So eat no sugar and no refined carbs (generally). If it was me I would ask my doctor about the triglycerides.
heartuk.org.uk/cholesterol/...
Christmas dinner is only one day and I don’t think a Christmas pudding once a year is deadly 
oh and turkey contains cholesterol lowering niacin and tryptophan
Thanks Ader. I'm already in the gym 5 days a week with both cardio and weight work included so I'm hoping it's not that.
I have been on a plant based diet for the last month or so. Wondering if this would have anything to do with it as my sugar intake is minimal. I am seeing the doctor next week so I will post an update then.
I am looking forward to large helpings of turkey but maybe only a dribble of gravy!
Have a great Christmas!
Do you have any peer reviewed research that actually shows plaque reversal? Various individuals pop up on YouTube making this claim but with no proof!
A good question. This statement appears regularly but with no real evidence.
I don't tend to keep lists of articles. I've seen several; but here's the last one I came across (it was still in my browser history):
ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161...
Journal of the American Heart Association: Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease is a peer-reviewed open access scientific journal and an official journal of the American Heart Association.
fwiw
I will have to have a Google as this is pretty old and not that convincing.
I agree with the other comments, HDL is little on the low side, and the Triglycerides should be in the range 0.80 - 1.80 according to my GP, while the NHS site says below 2.3. I'd have a chat with your GP about that. Here's a link to the NHS site on the subject:-
nhs.uk/conditions/high-chol...
As regards Christmas, it isn't every day (despite what Wizard/Roy Wood may wish for) I'm planning to go with - eat anything and everything, aside the horrible green things. Have a few drinks, but don't get rat-faced, eat some chocolates but don't see the tin of Quality Street as your new best friend and hog it all night!
Merry Christmas🎄🎅
Hi Spirit,
Thanks for the reply. I have joined a website that is run through the NHS called 'Patients Know Best'! It enables you to correspond directly with your doctors, surgeons and consultants. I have posted my results on the board so I will see if I get any feedback today. I am off to see the cardio consultant next week so will update everyone on the result.
I think the overall consensus is to enjoy the food over Christmas so who am I to disagree!
Merry Christmas!
Man l would kill for results like that, and why are you taking statins?? Seriously your lipid profile is to die for l know what l would do with those medications but dude was right there’s no need.You lucky duck.
Test results
What do my hearties think I need some opinions. 
What questions should I ask as a relative?
What should we expect from cardiologist?
Exercise treadmill stress test results 
