I have just been told that my Choles levels are 5.6 and doctor states that I have to go on Statins straight away. Is there no other option.

[maltings4]

[Hidden]

Your level is only :6 above what doctors like it to be. Mine was a lot higher than yours my doctor allowed me to try and reduce it with diet and exercise he gave me 6 months which I did and got it below 5. I refused statins. All the best x

[Aliwally]

Yes lots of other options.

We have had several questions like this recently . Your levels are completely and absolutely within a normal range. The only exception would be if you had a lot of other risk factors such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or a previous stroke or heart attack and even then it would be your choice.

Statin medication is life long, you don't just take it for a few weeks, it can have side effects (although I fully accept not always) and the absolute risk reduction, particularly in women is small if you haven't already had a heart attack, so there is a lot to weigh up.

Also ask your GP for a full print out of HDL, LDL and triglycerides and try diet and exercise.

Getting off soap box now!

[sandybrown in reply to Aliwally]

Hi,

did you know the system was down for 5 days!, only today it is taking questions and answers are coming up!, I reported it!.

ditto with your answers.

[sandybrown]

Hi,

I take it that your total cholesterol is 5.8, as above you need to find out all the other cholesterol numbers as well, your age, smoking, sex and BMI are also contributing factors. Life style can bring cholesterol numbers down. Hard work!!

[2squirrels]

If you are not overweight and have no heart problems go on the recommended diet and see if you can reduce it yourself.

[maltings4 in reply to 2squirrels]

Will admit to being a bit overweight. No heart problems reported. I may try the diet and exercise and see what I can produce. My doctor was dismissive of that avenue though but its my life. Thanks for your response.

[Textech in reply to maltings4]

Suggested reading: Dr.Dean Ornish's book "Reversing hearty disease". Plenty of diets and exercises to help with controlling risk factors. Avoid medications as far as possible.

[patch14]

A good, healthy diet free from processed food and as natural as possible. Don't worry too much about fats, but watch those sugars!! Exercise, no, not necessarily the gym but walking every day and increasing the pace and the distance gradually as you feel comfortable. Cut out the smoking (if you do) and reduce but don't stop the alcohol. "They" are still saying that a glass of red wine a day or a small "wee dram" or glass of beer or cider is still good for you,just watch your intake.

I totally agree with everyone above who ask you to get the full rundown on your C figures. Your LDL, HDL and Trigicerides. When you do, and do it soon, the GP should be able to let you know over the phone - that is how I get mine - write them down, and then divide your total level with your HDL level. If this is under 4 you are doing well. If it is higher, start to concentrate on the regime suggested above. But, and this is the necessary but, DO NOT WORRY.(Stress is not good for the C levels - it makes things worse!) 5.8 may be higher than is acceptable, I am 6.8, but as my HDL is high my result doing the above sum is 3.3!!!

Give it 6 months as suggested then go for another test. Good luck to you and have a great summer. Enjoy those salads and BBQs!

[mags3003]

Alliwally, Don,t get off your soapbox, love reading your answers xxx

[rogbert]

it depends on which doctor you have 5.5 is not a lot just the right level i think in my case i was 27 35 years ago and started with zocor then when statins started i went onto avorvastatin and fenofribrate for the trigs now im down to 4.9 because i had a heart attack recently taken statins didn't help much did it? i have been told it should be lower than 2

[suki65]

hi i am trying window slot eat your normal diet within 8 hour slots and the rest of the day do not eat only drink ,there are no side effects i also take opti omega 3 capsules ,from 7.9 to 6.2 in 2 months .

I will never go on statins again horrible side effects im only 48 and i feel like i am about 70 at times . tryin at th momnt to prove statins have done this

[maltings4]

Thank you all, I am male, 71 years of age, a little overweight, I don't smoke, I enjoy a drink or two, trying to eat sensibly, walking the dogs, don't want to go on statins at all, but my doc is adamant that this is the only option. I will have to stand up to him and refuse to take the statins.

[suki65 in reply to maltings4]

hi try intermittent fasting before statins it works for me with no side effects .

eating every day between 11am and 7pm goodbye horrible destroying your body statins

[Aliwally]

Yes, glad there are no statin police out there!. I don't have anything against statins for the people who really need them, but not for the sake of taking them if the benefits are not that great.

There are other drugs for lowering cholesterol and some peple take the Benecol products which do work by lowering levels by a smaller amount.

[Hidden]

I wonder if your doctor has shares in the pharmaceutical industry? I had my cholesterol done BEFORE being summoned for a NHS health check and diagnosed with high blood pressure. It was 5.9 and there was talk among the drs to put me on statins but my own nice friendly one pointed out that the hdl and the ratio and triglyceride nos were fine so I was spared thank the Lord ! It's all about control I feel - their control of you!

[oyinemi2012]

I reacted badly to Statin. Be careful.

[pampig1]

HI.i have to say i think too much store is set on cholesterol levels. i have have had two stents fitted two years due to blocked arteries .have had every statin available and now take rosuvastin 5mgs.i hate taking them as i have really bad muscle pain and my eyelid droops when im tired.i dont consider 5.5 as high. i would say its more borderline.you should consider your options before contemplating statins.doctors are too quick to put people on them.the trouble is there is no clear cut answersgood luck.

[kindredSpirit]

My Cholesterol levels are 14.7 (strong family history) & after taking medication statins plus ezeimibe they usually average 7.5 they have been around that for 30+ yrs I am now 53yrs & have just been given HRT my level has now dropped to around 3.0 !