I am so happy to have read the posts on this site.
I feel we do have a choice.
I am a 63 year old active female, 5.3 height, 55kgs, who recently was diagnosed with a hip impingement, symptoms were hip pain after sitting.
I went to the doctor for this ailment and was told that my cholesterol LDL levels were too high at 8 and above. Forgotten was the hip pain.
I was referred to an endocrine physician who ordered blood tests and ascertained that I do have FH, Thyroid in order though.
I was so disappointed to hear this that I burst into tears at my age 😭.
I was already living a healthy lifestyle. Low carb, no dairy, no sugar, Mediterranean diet, Nordic walking everyday.
This high spirited lady started taking statins Rosuvastatien 5mg per day and blood pressure medication.
Within 2 weeks I felt as though I had a broken Rib due to golf perhaps because in no way would I have been able to tie it up with the new medication 😱.
I started worrying about all kinds of stuff and was due for a check of my blood levels for the FH, so also had my liver levels tested because the pains in my upper abdomen was so bad that I thought my liver was the cause. I began having thigh muscle pains and my left foot, calf ankle began having sharp pains.
I could not sleep anymore because of muscular pains.
5 days ago I stopped taking the Statins and the blood pressure medication. All muscular aches went away. I’m still left with a painful ankle, calf of the left foot. Every morning I really have to exercise my foot to get the pain released.
My last blood level was down to 4.5 LDL.
At the cost of hardly living a normal life that I am used to... No, not for me...
I wish everyone well and good decision making... do your research and read this wonderful Forum.
I will have and I strive to have good pain free twilight years, so I’ll do my best, follow research, use my common sense and listen to my body while living with the FH GENE Defect.
P.S. I am taking Rychol (plant derived) since and 1 cardio aspirin daily.
Thank you for telling us your story, an unusual way for finding high cholesterol!, you did look alter yourself and ended up with high cholesterol. The statin dosage is very small (5mg), the end result is LDL down from 8 to 4.5. Any idea of your other cholesterol numbers?
You need to ask your GP for a better explanation on your cholesterol numbers.
Am wondering what was meant by your thyroid being fine ? They often do not do the correct testing and so people remain undiagosed or poorly treated. Low thyroid can be the cause of raised cholesterol and blood pressure issues - often due to Low T3 - rarely tested in the NHS. Just as a precaution and for preventative measures I would test B12 - Folate - Ferritin and VitD which all need to be optimal and not bumping along the bottom ! Docs often say fine or normal when results are in range. - but it is where you are in the range that is key.
I have Hashimotos - a B12 issue and cholesterol was raised at the time of thyroid diagnosis. I no longer test but do check Homocysteine levels. A better marker for heart issues and stroke and if raised also indicates low B12 in the cells where it is needed.
I too am enjoying good health as I hurtle towards 72 after addressing all the above. I swim miles in the summer - teach yoga twice a week - running two letting units in our olive grove and generally coping well ...
Keep up the good work 😊
PS - correct thyroid testing : TSH - FT4 - FT3 & Anti TPO & Anti Tg
Sounds to me like you did the right thing! Yes, 5 mg is a low dose, but Rosuvastatin (Crestor) is the most potent statin, so even a ‘low dose’ of this could still be too much. Anyway, it is doubtful whether ‘high cholesterol’ in itself is even a disorder. What is certain, statistically speaking, is that no women and no one over 70 has ever benefited from statins. Quite the contrary: high cholesterol in the elderly is associated with better health and a longer life. So I would say: carry on the way you’re doing, and don’t let anyone persuade you to take a statin again!
Statins have severe side effects as you have learned. I have done extensive reading about statins and I have learned that virtually none of the research on the efficacy of statins was done on women. In addition, there is evidence that women over the age of 65 tend to live longer if they have elevated levels of cholesterol.
Stress can also play a role in elevated LDL-C - therefore removing stress from your life or finding ways to mentally relax can be very helpful.
Finally, LDL cholesterol is just a volume measure. More recent research indicates that the number of LDL particles and their size are more predicative of atheroma formation than simply cholesterol volume. In plain English, you can have elevated LDL-C (volume) but if that volume is comprised of large particles and there is a smaller number of them, then you don't need to worry about your LDL-C.
Get the NMR Lipoprofile blood test to determine your LDL-P (particle number) and size. You'll have to pay for it but it's a small price to pay for peace of mind.
If you wish to read about my journey from open heart surgery and stents to great health without ANY prescription medications click here:
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Life Line Screening Results Are In!
New member - any similar experiences?
Seen consultant for cholesterol results, levels down a little with diet but unsure what to do next. Any comments very welcome!
High cholesterol or FH
Try again!
