please be careful if you go on statins i was about the same age as you because my level was 12.1 they told me i would have to be on statins for the rest of my life at 49 now i will never take another statin i went on them and became so ill from them as of today i am still trying to right what damage they have done to my muscles .some people they work for ,but some they dont . i intermittent fast now and take b12 1,000ug a day one tablet and vitamin d with calcium my levels are 5.8 now which is perfect for me .please take care if you go on statins note down any changes that you get eg mood swings ,saddness(depression),pins and needles ,tingly numbness ,headache ,cramp sore upper arms or legs ,sudden osteoarthritis .these are all the troubles i began to have from the statins (i dont smoke ,very healthy ,had 5 children and never been ill before statins )

5.5 doesn't sound massively high TBH. I tried several types before settling down on one that worked without too many side effects. I gather you CAN reverse things with diet so live in hope still. I'm still trying.

Hi I was concerned about my reading at 6.5 I'm 45 I don't drink or smoke I eat an average healthy diet...have the odd cake biscuits...I'm under weight...and until I spoke to my doctor she wasn't concerned at all...she said she wouldn't start me on medication and diet only helps a little...I have a 1% chance of heart attack in the next ten years...and explained that my rheumatoid arthritis could be causing my cholesterol to go high...and said sometimes statins are more trouble for some people....I found it this hard to believe as I really thought I would go on medication....the doctor did say if I was at a 20% risk then she would consider medication.....I find the whole thing confusing....xxxx

Try eating controlled amounts of low Gi foods such as dried apricots or sweet potato to remove the 'want' for processed rubbish.

Adequate natural protein and the accompanying fat will keep hunger at bay.

You do NOT have to take statins; at the moment GP's are urged by the NHS overlords to 'push them down people's throat.

I declined them after I realised that some of the adverse symptomes I felt were most likely due to the statins prescribed to me.

bigleg; I seriously are thinking of taking this statins confusion to a global audience. The UK NHS is wrong about them, in my opinion.

My level was 5.9 and as a result I was called for an NHS health check where they found hypertension [3 years earlier I'd asked for a cholesterol test and it was 6.4 and then all they did was give me bossy healthy eating advice] After some time went on to pills for hypertension but no mention was made of statins. I was 70 at the time so age automatically pushes up your 'risk'. Other than saying the cholesterol level was borderline high my doc says she wouldn't put me on statins. Just as well as I don't think I'd take them just on a computer assessment say-so. I think the NHS is quite wrong to shove them down everyone's throat like smarties.

Hello,

What about other cholesterol numbers, general health, BP and blood sugar? I am afraid you have to take all into consideration before any medication for cholesterol! Life style change can also help, which has helped me at the age of 66!!

Hello Jammy6, Don't assume that as your Dr has recalled you that he is going to automatically put you on statins! Perhaps you could ask for a dietician to give advice and read the forums on here to guide you. All the best.

All,

It appears the server has gone to sleep and not responding! Cholesterol? Blood pressure? Blood sugar? High temperature? High BPM? and many mote?

Is that a recent photo?