HDL and LDL fine :) Lp(a) very high :(

[CocoChannel]

Hello all, good and bad news

Good - After a few years of slightly high HDL and LDL readings (as shown), my latest HDL and LDL results are normal. I'm 54, very active, not overweight, non-smoker, non-drinker. No medication. I think my diet is fine, no take aways, almost no bread, processed food or refined sugar.

To get my HDL and LDL down, I've been doing these for two or three years:

• Plant sterol drinks - twice a day - I'm not convinced these had an effect

• Psyllium husks - 20 grams a day - not sure this has an effect on HDL or LDL, but it's relatively cheap and fibre can't be bad

• Flaxseeds - I buy these whole and grind 30 grams a day in a coffee grinder to be taken with milk. I've only been doing this a year, so it could be what's lowered my LDL.

Nothing else has changed in my diet or exercise.

Bad - this blood test included Lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a) which I hadn't seen before. This isn't nomally tested. Mine is very high, and that's bad as it's a serious risk factor for which no medical treatment helps. From what I've read, the strategy is to manage other risk factors.

I did have a heart CT scan in 2018 which showed a small amount of plaque in my LAD artery but my calcium score was zero (good). The heart doc wasn't concerned. However, I clearly want to slow down further plaque formation, and the Lp(a) score isn't ideal. I'll have to see a consultant to see the options.

My blood test was a private one done in the UK. I think it's a very good move to get Lp(a) measured. .

[DicCarlson]

Niacin might be a help - You have an excellent lipid profile!

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/259...

[CocoChannel in reply to DicCarlson]

Thanks. Hard to find the right type of niacin in the U.K.

[DicCarlson in reply to CocoChannel]

I use a product called slo-niacin. There are other types of niacin: immediate release (very flushy), delayed release (like slo-niacin) and sustained release using a proprietary formula called niaxtend. No flush niacin is not really the right type. Just type "niacin" in Amazon and look at reviews.

[CocoChannel in reply to DicCarlson]

Hi DicCarlson, thanks again. Slo Niacin is available in the U.K. in 500mg tablets. Can I ask your daily dosage and any changes in cholesterol which may have resulted, please?

The article below quotes some very high doses!

healthline.com/health/drugs...

[DicCarlson in reply to CocoChannel]

I wouldn't just rely on Niacin to lower cholesterol. Switch your diet - to more plants, cutting way back on saturated fat and red meat. For supplements - Berberine, Pantethine, Amla powder, Citrus Bergamot, and others. Just Google any of these "...to lower cholesterol." I only use 250mg of niacin daily.

[CocoChannel in reply to DicCarlson]

For sure. I cut right back on carbs and sugar. These may not affect cholesterol numbers, but they are factors in cardiovascular health. In terms of cholesterol (LDL, triglycerides), my numbers are normal now, just under 100 mg/DL for LDL which I’d like to lower slightly. I’ve been taking ground flaxseed and psyllium (which seem to have worked). For general cardio health, I take magnesium and Q10 and recently started on bergamot. I’ve been reading up on vitamin K2 which isn’t easy to get through diet so I’m adding that to the list!

Because of this pesky Lp(a) I’m considering niacin, the one I haven’t tried yet. I do need to read up. Slo Niacin comes in 500mg tablets here. There are potential longer-term side effects. That can’t be denied, but I’ll have to decide for myself if it’s worth it. If my LDL and to a lesser extent my Lp(a) were unaffected, I’d stop taking it.

Have you seen any improvements if I may ask? I have to be careful how I ask this as I asked elsewhere a while ago and was full of hope after a success story, only to discover the poster had been taking statins - like many people, that’s something I want to avoid if possible.

[DicCarlson in reply to CocoChannel]

From what I read - yes, niacin will impact LPa, but not necessarily all cause mortality if you lower it. :47

peterattiamd.com/lpa/

[DicCarlson in reply to DicCarlson]

More here...

jacc.org/doi/10.1016/S0735-...

[CocoChannel in reply to DicCarlson]

thanks Dic. The second link is interesting and recommends genetic testing! That’s something I’ve never considered. A quick google says such a test includes counselling. I’m not surprised! Blood tests usually show some out of range figures, and a doc should advise. Can you imagine what a review of your genes (or they should be called alleles) would highlight!

I’m curious about it, but once done, that’s it. An insurance company in ten years time might ask if I’ve been genetically tested, and I’d have to confess all my ancestral shortcomings. I wonder if I can do it anonymously? 🤣

For now, I’ll give niacin a try and see if my Lp(a) changes 🙂

[sandybrown]

Hello,

Thank you for your post. I was going ask which counter you did the test? You have mentioned private test in UK. The results are given in a better format.

Would it be possible for you to give the blood test lad details in a message to me, because Health unlocked will be watching!!!

There are few other blood lipid parameters I would like to test, NHS protocol do not test many important parameters!. I was put on 5mg statin and this is now increased to 10mg because last test did not show 40% reduction, My total cholesterol is below 6.

Thank you keep up your good work. Take care.

[CocoChannel in reply to sandybrown]

You’re very kind because the well-presented results are all my own work 🙂 There is a reasonably straightforward conversion between the units, but I know this can be confusing so I showed my results in both units.

Total of 6 is above normal, but what about the more important LDL? Also as I’ve found out, Lp(a) is important too. What I will say is my numbers (LDL and triglycerides) are OK (for now) due to the dietary changes I made. I can make this claim as I changed nothing else in 2023/4. I’m trying to stay off medication as long as I can, and my GP (after looking at the latest results) says I don’t need it.

I’ll send you a message about the blood test I took 🙂

[sandybrown in reply to CocoChannel]

Thank you for your message. you understand the units very good.

I will follow this and go for blood test in three months time, I have been relaxed for one month therefore my numbers will be high. From December to April very controlled food in take then I had a small health problem and I had a biopsy in my bladder, all OK now.

Please take care.

[CocoChannel in reply to sandybrown]

Glad the bladder issue is sorted 🙂

I wouldn’t get too hung up on cholesterol figures (within reason). There’s all sorts of conflicting research. Things like weight, blood sugar, exercise, not smoking, etc., all play a part.

Me personally, I’m trying to cut down on carbohydrates. Our body needs these for energy but not in the quantities we tend to eat. There are proven links between levels of blood sugar (HbA1C) and artery plaque, so I’m trying to keep my carbs (which turn into glucose) and sugar down - but an off day here and there is fine 🙂

[Chelator]

You probably know that lipoprotein a is genetic and cannot be lowered through diet or supplement

testing.com/tests/lipoprote....

I am currently experimenting with Sunflower Lecithin to lower LDL. After a month it reduced my LDL from 2.14 (22Apr2024) to 1.68 (16May2024). I am waiting for another blood test in June to be sure.

My lipoprotein a was 14 (24Feb2024) and 10 (12Dec2023).

More details of my blood tests above.

Blood Test Results

[CocoChannel in reply to Chelator]

well done Chelator 👍 I’ll look into sunflower lecithin. Can I ask what dosage you take, please?

I’m still undecided about niacin. Some sources (Great Cholesterol Myth) say the slow release niacin isn’t effective. Elsewhere I’ve read the flush niacin isn’t a pleasant experience.

As for lipoprotein (a), there is anecdotal evidence it can be reduced with niacin for example.

[Chelator]

I consulted with my naturopath doctor who suggested 1 capsule twice daily. Each capsule is 1200mg. I chose sunflower over soy lecithin to avoid potential allergy.

Available from Amazon

amazon.ca/dp/B00CORK40I?psc....

More info

hollandandbarrett.com/the-h...

healthnews.com/nutrition/vi...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...