To old for medication

[Vacyone]

Hi, I’ve been on cholesterol lowering meds for years. My cholesterol is 6.3 .I lost ten pounds in weight and cut out all the nasty fats from my diet, had another test 12 weeks later, sadly still6,3

What’s the solution. My doctor was laid back and said well when you get to eighty we don’t normally give meds as if you’ve reached that age and your alive , and ok, then it’s what will be will be. I’m 73

[Cooper27 Administrator]

Hi Vacyone, can you maybe tell us a little bit more about what your diet looks like at the moment? When you cut out "nasty fats" what did you cut out, and what did you replace them with?

[Vacyone in reply to Cooper27]

Hi, I cut out butter, replaced with plant spread. Cut out oils , replaced with olive oil and rapeseed, I’ve never had sugars, not a sweet toothed person. Never eat factory products if it’s at all possible, I make everything I eat, Have wholemeal bread, and have three pieces of fruit a day.

Walk at least 6/7 000 steps a day, and was so disappointed with my results.

[Hidden]

Hi Vacyone, If you are only 73 I don't really understand why your doctor is discussing what will happen with regard to medications when you reach 80. I'm 73 too, and at this stage 80 is still far enough away that i don't want to contemplate the may-be's at this stage. An awful lot can happen in those intervening years.I have taken a daily statin for some years now and will continue for as long as it is recommended and prescribed, but if it is of little benefit over 80 I wouldn't ask to continue to take it. But that may be an option. Nothing is written in stone, and if you ask and are denied, you'd naturally want a thorough explanation as to 'why not'. Also consider that much which is in medicine is guesswork and one GPs opinion is not that of another. And finally that, in 6 or 7 years a lot can change in medicine. New treatments or opinions may emerge.

I think it's really commendable that you've tried to take the health route to lower your cholesterol. At least you have given it a try and whatever you are doing is going to be of some benefit to you, even if it's not improving your overall cholesterol score.

Many tests and treatments have end dates on them. Two which springs to mind are breast cancer screening and PAP smears. I don't doubt that this has its economic element as much as anything else.

You can take this to mean that at some age it's going to be 'que sara', or keep on trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle as you have been doing, and keep your cholesterol as low as it can be, by natural means.

[Vacyone in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for replying. Yes your correct, doctors all differ in their opinions. But if it’s not going to achieve anything then I suppose it’s ok not to issue meds at that age. But I’ve got a lot of living todo until then.😄😄

[Hidden in reply to Vacyone]

Exactly Vacyone, and hopefully beyond then too! Wishing you continuing success in reducing your cholesterol!