Cholesterol and fertility... am I overreacting?

[neonpg]

Hiya folks, hope everyone is okay. After my second IVF round ended in failure I've been taking a few months off to lead as healthy a lifestyle as possible (I mention the changes I've made in previous posts).

I've also taken a bunch of tests including a full thrombophilia screen (which has come back normal) and a blood glucose and cholesterol check through my private health insurance.

I've just had the results back from my health check and found out that all but two of my lipid profiles are elevated, which means I've got raised cholesterol.

I'm doing all the things you're supposed to do to keep your cholesterol low (work out 4-5 times a week, eat a balanced diet, never smoked, non-drinker) so I'm feeling a little disheartened with these results.

The question I guess I want to ask is, has anyone here got high cholesterol and if so, has it impacted your chances of success with IVF? It's never something that's been raised by either of my clinics so I'm curious if anyone knows anything about IVF and cholesterol.

[Millbanks]

Hi lovely,

I have very high familial cholesterol which basically means that it’s inherited rather than lifestyle. Nothing I do keeps it low (I eat healthily, run long distance, barely drink, never smoke)

The only way to lower it for me is to take statins and they don’t advise that if you’re ttc. So unfortunately nothing I can do about it.

However it didn’t stop me getting pregnant through Ivf xx

[neonpg in reply to Millbanks]

Thank you so much for your reply. I'm starting to wonder whether it might be familial for me too. My wife's levels came back normal despite her barely exercising and eating more junk than me! I'll check with my clinic but I'm guessing you're right and it shouldn't affect my chances. All other markers (TSH etc) have always been normal and I'm guessing they're more important than cholesterol. I think I'm just anxious as we're only trying one more time so I want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to stand a chance of success!

[Millbanks in reply to neonpg]

it’s so frustrating isn’t it!! Mine is so high 😂

Yea I would check anyway but I don’t think it’s an issue right now. I wouldn’t go on statins atm as there’s not enough research to say if they affect pregnancy.

Aww I wish you all the luck in the world xxx

[BenjitheG]

Hi, just wanted to share a helpful tip I learned from the food hospital tv programme a few years ago (led by GPs and nutritionists using food to improve health conditions) that eating a small handful of whole almonds everyday (around 22) can be as effective as being on a statin. I have a family history of higher cholesterol and mine dropped from 5.4 to 3.2 doing this so there are things that can help. Best of luck with your journeys. x