Niacin for high cholesterol

[Idalmis]

Hello everyone. I am a 65 year old female. I’ve always had high cholesterol despite having a good diet and exercising regularly. I tried statins but I had lots of unpleasant side effects so I stopped taking them. My Gp advised me to try Niacin 500 mg a day. I have been taking them for 5 weeks now but I feel unwell. Dizzy, unstable, weak and spaced out. I wonder if anyone had similar experiences . Thank you

[sandybrown]

Please Google for side effect of Niacin 500 mg, there are a of of information, we all react differently to side effect of medication.

[timotur]

I think that dosage is way to high. I’ve been able to lower total cholesterol by about 10% using 50/100 mg tablets. Maybe try a lower dosage and retest cholesterol in 30 days.

[Ladybug9]

Niacin will definitely help with helping to lower high cholesterol BUT too much niacin can be a problem. Please call your doctor and explain how you are feeling. He or she may lower the dosage or take you off and try something different. Have you tried Red Yeast Rice? That is what I was told to take. And to start out at a low dose and work my way up as that too can cause side effects. I already have issues with passing out due to low blood pressure.

[sluggerpk]

Try Oatmeal with Blueberries every day and keep up the exercise. Eat foods that lower cholesterol.

I, just found out recently that the Total Chloresterol only has to be 240 or less, not the 100 to 199 range.

The phamarcy companies are pushing that range to try to sell more Statin Medication.

[Bet117]

Hi Idalmis,

Ring up your GP and let him/ her know that you are feeling unwell. It may or may not be the Niacin, the brand and when you take it.

I take 1,000 mg of flush free niacin and 6,000mg of plant sterol in the evening as per my nephrologist with the okay from my GP.

My LDL is now 101 at last reading and cholesterol normal.

Let me know what your GP says.

Bet

[Persevere99]

Hi Idalmis

How are you doing on niacin if you are still taking it please?

I’m considering it to raise a low HDL.

Thanks

Persevere

[Idalmis in reply to Persevere99]

no I am not. I think I’ll start it again. I noticed it didn’t lower my overall cholesterol but lowered my triglycerides to a normal level. I am having thyroid problems and I believe that can influence cholesterol levels.

[Bet117]

Hi Idalmis, I can understand your frustration. Do remember that every person's body chemistry is different.

Due to my allergy to statin drugs, Niacin 500mg was recommended to me by my nephrologist who did a study on it during his residency and fellowship. I take flush free Niacin with my evening meal without issue.

I also take 3, 000mg of Plant Sterols and 2,000mg of Omega 3 fish oil with breakfast as suggested by my GP.

This combination with a Plant Based diet has lowered my cholesterol.

I agree with Sandy Brown, look Niacin and Flush Free Niacin up on Drugs.com to view side effects.

Perhaps taking the flush free Niacin and a different brand may help. If not, have a chat with your GP.

I would also ask about using Plant Sterols as well. A friend of mine in the UK buys Simply Sterols 800mg on Amazon and said that it did lower her cholesterol without statins.

Read and chat up with your GP. It's a process.

Please let us know how you are doing. You are among friends here.

Bet x

[Idalmis in reply to Bet117]

thank you. I will definitely follow some of your advice. I did try to go plant based but I couldn’t .

[Bet117]

Hi Idalmis,

Good to hear from you. It's a process which takes time to find and arrange all of the puzzle pieces.

Although plant based eating isn't for everyone, you can still make good choices which are nourishing, satisfying and appealing.

I am a notorious label reader. Seriously.

If an item is high in saturated and trans- fat or cholesterol; no thank you.

Read the cholesterol levels as well as saturated and trans- fats. You've been eating healthily. Egg whites rather than eggs, chicken and ground chicken, baked, grilled or broiled rather than fried.

Add in more fruit and veggie sides. Read butter labels. I use Benechol Lite, or Smart Balance Light with flaxseed. Avoid fatty meats.

Hope this helps!

Things will all come together for you; promise.

Please, reach out again.

Bet 😊

[Idalmis in reply to Bet117]

thank you. I will.