Last July my total cholesterol was 5.2, LDL 3.9, HDL 1.6, Trigs 0.22. I had been taking Liptor 10mg every other day, but even that small amount was causing unacceptable side-effects (yes, I tried other kinds too), so I stopped. I lost 50lbs, started exercising moderately/intensively for a minimum of 150 minutes a week and up to 300 minutes, begam a supplement regime (plant sterols, flaxseed oil and others that supposedly lower cholesterol), ate plenty of foods that help lower cholesterol (oats, apples, nuts, legumes, salmon etc) and kept my diet clean most of the time (I have tried LCHF and it made me really ill). Result 9 months later? My total cholesterol went up to 8.2, LDL 5.9, HDL 1.8 & Trigs 1.
To my knowledge there is no FH in my family, so I am at a loss to explain why this happened, but it was pretty devastating after working so hard!
My doctor wanted me back on statins, I refused, I will not go through that hell again. I have changed my supplements - adding in new ones, getting rid of others and also have slowly started on full-flushing niacin (I tried starting out on 100mg 2 x daily but all but burst into flames - I'm not sure I'll ever make it up to 1.5g daily!). I plan to be tested again end of the year/early next year to see if it's better.
Anyone had a similar reaction to 'improving' their lifestyle?!
Oh, and I don't diabetes, my blood sugars have always been fine. Even at the above levels my ratios are good/ideal (which I know is important), but my doc is freaking out about the total & LDL numbers!