Raised cholesterol

[Flecmac]

I have been advised to take cholesterol medication by nhs endocrinologist. He did genetic testing for familial hyperlipidemia, which was negative, but had an anomaly.

I was given Atorvastatin which I haven’t tried as it seems to be one that has worse side effects for patients with thyroid disease. I recently asked for an alternative preferably small as I struggle taking tablets. When I collected them they are huge capsules (Fenifibrate) which I know I will choke on.

Could anyone advise another medication which may suit.

Thank you.

Last results:-

Serum lipid levels  Serum cholesterol level 6.5 mmol/LSerum triglyceride levels 0.85 mmol/L [0.4 - 1.5]Serum HDL cholesterol level 1.5 mmol/LSerum LDL cholesterol level 4.6 mmol/L; NB the calculation of LDL is valid only for afasting sample.Serum cholesterol/HDL ratio 4.3Serum non high density lipoprotein cholesterol level 5.0 mmol/L [< 7.5]

[Hidden]

Have you decided not to take the statin without discussing your medical circumstances with your prescribing health professional? If not I advise you do that, with the objective of at least giving them a try. Anyway as far as statins are concerned, as far as I am aware, they are not time release so you can break individual tablets into smaller pieces using a pill splitter. I am on 80mg Atorvastatin which are the largest tablet I have ever seen but fortunately for me I can usually get them down, but sometimes have to resort to using the pill splitter.

[Flecmac in reply to Hidden]

My endocrinologist had handed me to the care of a lipid nurse but I haven’t heard anything from her for few months. My GP prescribed the medication and prescribed tge large capsules after I had said I can only swallow small ones. I am not good with tablets especially when split.

[Hidden in reply to Flecmac]

You have been prescribed medication to reduce high cholesterol and to reduce your heart disease risk. The longer you don't take the medication the greater your risk increases with time. So in my view doing nothing is not an option. I suggest you make contact with your lipid nurse or GP as I mentioned earlier to see what options are available to you, perhaps even taking two or more smaller lower dose tabs to make up the required dose level, or ways to overcome your fear of swallowing large tablets, or adopting lifestyle changes such as diet, although this route is not usually as effective as medication, and requires constant application for life or the benefits are lost.

[Heythrop51]

Think it is worth asking the question on a thyroid forum. I seem to recall HU has one. If you can eat normally I suspect the tablet issue is psychological?

[Flecmac in reply to Heythrop51]

Yes I have thanks.

[CyclingTime]

just split the pill as someone mentioned. I am on the 80mg and have had zero issues with it, other than you say the size. I have noticed different brands vary. One is very long which is a challenge the other round and much easier to swallow. Talk to your

[Flecmac in reply to CyclingTime]

It’s a capsule so I can’t. It’s a fibrate.

[MountainGoat52]

I can see why your GP prescribed Fenofibrate, but he/she would not necessarily know what form it would come in. Under tye circumstances, I would speak to your GP to see if anything can be done to have the medication supplied in tablet form.

[Flecmac in reply to MountainGoat52]

she offered a tablet saying Break them which I prefer not to do.

[MountainGoat52 in reply to Flecmac]

Maybe two smaller tablets then, though I suspect that won't be agreed to on the grounds of increased cost, even though it may only be a few £ a year. 😯

[chestnutty]

If you struggle to swallow large tablets with a drink of water, try it with a large spoonful of youghurt, custard or similar (provided that is OK for the tablet in question). It works for my husband

[AlfredV]

I think your numbers look pretty good to be honest - low triglycerides and high HDL. This typically correlates well with a low risk of heart disease. The endocrinologist will just be following guidelines based around your total cholesterol level.

Many people are unaware of the sort of things that can cause cholesterol levels to fluctuate quite significantly. For example, illness has a tendency to cause raised LDL. I do not wish to pry but wonder if there is some other issue causing this (hence the visit to the endocrinologist) and whether your LDL is chronically high or temporal.

Edit: I've just read your bio.

[Flecmac in reply to AlfredV]

Thank you.

I’m seeing him because I have autoimmune thyroiditis. My cholesterol has been high for a few years.

[Zbignieva in reply to AlfredV]

I would suggest you look at the Simon Broome classifications. As well, those results do not look good with a high total cholesterol and LDL

[AlfredV in reply to Zbignieva]

The poster says they have been tested for FH. Interestingly I've been told I have FH although haven't had a genetic test, yet I've also recorded lipid panels that in no way indicate FH. As a genetic condition you don't have it one year and not the next. It looks like the Simon Broome classification would also suggest I have something that I don't.

[Flecmac in reply to Zbignieva]

Is your post referring to me?

[Qualipop]

Have you tried the atorvastatin at all? There are several statins you could try. Simvastatin that I take is pretty small. I get no side effects. I Understand your problem swallowing tablets . I can't get paracetamol down, especially when split. I can do the round ones but not he ova l ones. Ask the chemist if a different brand of either of those you've been prescribed, is a different shape- they often are. I have to try to get only one brand of s imvastatin. Same drug, just a different manufacturer.

[Flecmac in reply to Qualipop]

Thank you.

[Zbignieva]

There is an injection for high cholesterol, PCSK9 inhibitors.

With your LDL so high, you could still have FH, just not a gene we know.

See if you can get this treatment

heartuk.org.uk/getting-trea...

[Flecmac in reply to Zbignieva]

Were your posts meant for me?

[Zbignieva in reply to Flecmac]

Yes, if tablets are difficult, an injection might be better. As your LDL is so high, I think you would qualify for this treatment.

[bridgeit]

I think big pills can be difficult to swallow, especially the discomfort felt when they seem to get "stuck" somewhere in the throat. I remember dreading having to take the old big, round paracetamol tablets of yesteryear; designed more for horses to swallow it seemed to me at the time.

I think I can offer two suggestions, which might or might not work for you.

First, as per others' advice, do try breaking and/or crushing the pills that can safely be broken up, then try mixing the resultant small bits or powder with apple sauce. Swallow the mixture bit by bit from a teaspoon. Apple sauce seems to be a good carrier for swallowing broken up tablets.

Second, instead of asking your GP, have a word with your local chemist's pharmacist about availability of a small tablet or tablet combo that can meet your medication needs. Pharmacists are highly trained experts when it comes to tablet sizes, active ingredient(s), contra-indications with other medications (and supplements) and all sorts of drug-related issues. They are the drug specialists.

If there's a brand that manufactures a small tablet, the pharmacist can tell you what it is so that you can ask your GP to prescribe it.

I hope you're able to find something that works for you soon.

[Flecmac in reply to bridgeit]

Thank you.