Hi there, My cholesterol level is 5.5 ... - Cholesterol Support
Hi there, My cholesterol level is 5.5 is this ok ?. Doc wants to give me a pill to lower it. I am a male aged 62.
You don't say if you have any other risk factors, but 5.5 is absolutely fine and would not put you in the statin bracket. I presume you have not had a heart attack.
My GP advised me that cardiologists now like to see total cholesterol below 4 as an ideal. I would suggest that since your level is not enormously above that figure you might be able to achieve it by a modified diet - reduce cheese, avoid crips, cream, pies and pastries and go for oily fish two or three times a week and plenty of fresh veg. Alternatively you could go with your Dr's suggestion of a statin. These sometimes have side affects, but there are various different ones which your GP could try if you experienced those problems. Good luck.
5.5is not enormously high. You could possibly bring it down with minor changes to your life style- more exercise, lower your saturated fat intake, reduce any alcohol intake if you drink (consuming alcohol can quickly raise cholesterol levels)increase fibre in your diet. Even small changes , particularly with your levels, could make a big difference. You didn't, say whether there were any other risk factors involved, eg. Weight, smoking, family history etc. in the end it! s a purely personal decision. I'd avoid statins if possible.s
Richbod
Hi,
Did your GP do total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglyceride and HbA1c tests. What were the numbers? You need to look at all of them and then decide on medication!
I am afraid number 5.5 on its own is not a starting point for medication, family history, where you are from, and your country all needs to be considered. In UK there was a TV documentary about this fat Indians; it was a real eye opener!
The acceptable level of Total Cholesterol is 4 as per E.U guidlines.It used to be 5.so any thing above 4 is high and a Statin will be prescribed.but it is what it says a Guideline and the choice is yours.Personally i take Statins on the basis of Better safer than sorry. !!
'Sorry' is what you might end up being if you had the reaction to statins that many people on this site have. IMHO, 4 is too low no matter what the great EU has to say and that would be enough to make me NOT take them!!. I thought a QRISK of 20%> was the cut point for taking a statin but NICE are trying to lower that to 10%.
The guideline of 4 is only for people who have already had a heart attack for whom statins have a much better track record of preventing another one.
Prevention for people who haven't had one is much more controversial and the numbers needed to treat are very high, i.e. you need to treat an awful lot of people for an awful long time to prevent one heart attack. Great if you are that person, not so great if you suffer bad side effects for not much benefit.
I would agree with many of the previous comments. If your raised cholesterol levels are not inherited then your first course of action should always be to change lifestyle: eating habits, exercise etc. For educated advice, why not contact HEART UK - the cholesterol charity?
Very interesting information. I'm sensitive to statins but at this low dose might be ok. Will discuss @ next specialist monolgue! Thanks
Richbod
My cholesterol level is now 5.4 and my doctor said I don't need a statin now.I have been on them but had awful dizzy spells.
Any family history of strokes heart attack
I am 63 with a level of 14.7 and am yet to be put on any pills, I have an appointment in 6 weeks time so they do not seem too worried. I would suggest that a suitable diet be more practical and see if that helps, after all who likes taking tablets
In my opinion on the research that i have done overall cholesterol does not really tell you what is really going on.The main markers you need to concern yourself with is having high hdl and low triglycerides.My doctor offered me a cholesterol test.I asked her what it was testing and she told me it would be overall cholesterol.I told her this test was a complete waste of time as it would tell me nothing.So i declined the test.
Look at the HEART UK website (they are the cholesterol charity) for advice on exercise and eating. If you don't want prescription drugs (not a first resort in my books) try Kyolic garlic tablets from your local health Food Shop. They reduced my level from 7.2 to 5.2 in twelve months. Another blood test after six months would give you an indication of how well you are doing.
My doctor said if i went down the route of taking suppliments instead of a statin then they wouldnt be able to check my cholesterol again i would be refused
My cholesterol was 7 so i took Plant Sterols and stopped eating cakes and biscuits and it dropped to 5.2 in 6 months but I still have work to do as they would like cholesterol levels to be below 5.
Why, below 5?
If You have any cardiac problems cardiologist recommend that your cholesterol should be below 4 if you have don't have any risk factors they suggest below 5 the guidelines were changed a couple of years ago. About 5 years ago my cholesterol was 5.5 and I was told that it was fine but not now.
Human body makes 80 % of cholesterol and 20% made from food and drinks. When blood tests are done it is up to your doctor to do a risk analysis and fully explain all the numbers for a life style change.
Total cholesterol on its own 4 or 5 guide lines needs consideration, there is ration, waist measurement, height to waist ratio and many factors can indicate good health.
Watching out for hidden and free sugar, regular exercise can help towards a healthy life!
Mine was 5 but they want me take a statin due to family history
You need to ask your GP for a referral to see a specialist.
That sounds a ok reading not that high get a second opinion
How is you cholesterol and health?
