Did all the 'right' things and cholesterol got MUCH worse?!

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!

Hi, my husband has hFH and this is what happened when he came off statins. He also complains about side effects, and I can see it makes him more irritable, and hungrier...

It's a pain that statins are the default option... did you do any aortic ultrasound?

My journey started to reduce both cholesterol and blood glucose 4 years ago, was on statin for three months, did bring the cholesterol down but due to side effect gave up on statin. Have blood test every sis months, my numbers are high have an appointment with GP to discuss the numbers.

My understanding is 2/3 cholesterol comes from the body and 1/3 from food I eat.

My question to my GP is with my food intake control and regular exercise the cholesterol is not coming down, what is the next step other than statin?

I went for number of screening privately, am told all ok!!!

Just to make sure on the numbers you can go to a local chemist to do cholesterol test, this may cost you.

Really its clear you have tried everything. My only recommendation is to cut out all the supplements (trendy pharma companies dressed up as helping but just ripping us off) and just see what happens with food alone. Leave your exercise it is fine. If you cant get on with Statins that's fine dont take them. And dont overthink it. Its easy to do that especially following forums like this. Just eat good stuff and exercise, see what that brings. This will give you a base to start tinkering a little. Let us know when you have your next test and lets see what happen.

I know exactly how you feel although i do have FH. I've suffered terribly with side effects of Statins but one particular year I stuck rigidly to daily meds, putting up with the effects, only to see my levels rise at the end of the year.....gutted. I've recently been on the new drugs trial and although side effects were less, again my levels have risen (latest TC of 11.76, HDL 1.37, LDL 9.92).........PANIC TIME!!

keep up with niacin it does work its the only supplement to sort out your lpa levels no statin meds can do that the flush gets less the more you use it its helped me and my family google Dr abram hoffer it will open your eyes or read his book niacin the real story statins ruined my life it makes me very sad how some people on here think there fine on statins because they dont get any side effects now but in the long term they will in time good luck god bless

I am doing similar things to you re diet, not able to do as much exercise because of a neuro-muscular autoimmune disease, can't take statins because of that and just seen my levels, always high, just continue slow climb upwards. Currently 7.2 with a ration of 4:1.

If I find a solution I'll let you know in the meantime I am taking a very good quality Tumeric as an anti inflammatory, good quality fish/krill/omega3 oil in capsule form and Vit C, eat other anti inflammatory foods such as garlic and ginger and always have a slice of lemon in my drinking water.

I'm also a believer in our psychological/emotional wellbeing playing an important part so I am doing quite a lot of inner work as well.

I just discovered colouring books for adults, great form of relaxation, with absolutely no purpose, if you like arty stuff and find it hard to relax.

If you are interested - William Bloom's book The Endorphin Effect - explains how we can complicate emotional and psychological well being, when really it can be simple, effective and enjoyable. Just do things because they make you laugh or smile, not because it is 'good' for you.

If none of that brings down the numbers, I am just going enjoy the life I have because there is nothing like smiling, laughing and enjoyment for bringing on the endorphins which counteract the stress hormones.

Best wishes CD

hi i was exactly like you did everything i was told, everything low fat, grilled all foods lots of pasta, jacket potatoes, and my cholesterol was 8.3 in the end i told the nurse i was going to full fat diet natural cheese, butter,full fat yoghurts, she asked me why and i told her all low fats are full of sugar she said if it worked it would surprise her i had my bloods done later and they came back normal no action required listen to your body and no one else just try going back to all natural and see what happens.

Hello,

Please take a look at this article on this link:

zoeharcombe.com/2012/06/why...

Hello Queeniescakes

There are other medications, apart from statins, which lower cholesterol, such as Ezetrol. There will also be others. Have you asked your doctor about alternatives? They will not all be suitable for your type of hypercholesterolaemia, but it is worth enquiring. I personally found that a Benecol drink taken daily along with my medication, brought my cholesterol down & it tastes nice too.

You say you had unacceptable side affects, I have been on atorvastatin for many years and tried others, because NICE wanted me to (to save money) and had occasional side affects, I found that taking Co-Enzyme Q10 got rid of the side affects. I only take them for a time when the side affects are unbearable, and this works for me. Please check with your GP or cardiologist before taking them.

@Kasibarndoor - I take ubiquinol (the better form of Q10) every day and have done for over a year, They made no difference to the memory and cognition loss I suffered with Liptor. I'm 43 years old, to young to be a vegetable!!!

Besides which, I did another chemist test yesterday and it came back at the top of normal levels. Proving my theory that it was a temporary blip due to cholesterol fixing something in my body (which it what it's there for!). I WILL NOT go back on statins, never, ever. There is no evidence they help anyone beyond men over 50 who have already had a heart attack. No thank you.

I took Co-Enzyme Q10 when I had side effects from the statins (lipitor) and they disappeared now haven't needed the Q10 for a couple of years.