Cholesterol

[EleanorPV]

My cholesterol is rising, we think it is linked to pegasys and PV. My GP says it’s not my diet. Any thoughts or advice if statins are a good option in general for women with PV. My gp says it’s up to me as the research is inconclusive.

[hall2]

Hi I have ET not PV but I'm on Pegasys and have raised cholesterol. I take statins and haven't had any problems.

[Hidden]

My doctor said unless reading is in double figures don't worry about it

Currently 7.9 and neither him or my Hemo is concerned. Not taking anything for it. Cholesterol is a big issue in NZ and no real consensus as to what's right and wrong. Some say 4 is good others anything under double figures is OK!

Best advice is don't panic😁

[Kari1961]

I have PV (don't take Pegasys) and have raised cholesterol - it's been high for a number of years. Like you, it's not caused by diet - Every year during my annual MOT my GP comments on it, then checks the results again and says that my HDL (good cholesterol) is also high, so has basically said it's up to me whether I want to start Statins, I always decline. I read somewhere that having high HDL cholesterol can offer protection from heart related illnesses, so for the time being I've decided to stay off the drugs.

[EleanorPV in reply to Kari1961]

Yeh sounds like this is the situation I’m in. I will become better informed and decide from what research I find. Thanks for your reply.

[Tinkerbell13]

My husband and I both have high cholesterol, as do my brother and sister....and told by the GP that diet wouldn't make a difference 'it is just the way you are made' were his words! Prefer not to take statins and also discovered that medical people are completely divided on this. Think the less medication

we are on, the better, unless it is unavoidable. Sending you warm greetings and wishing you

well. Tinkerbell

[william-Indo in reply to Tinkerbell13]

As long as your ratio of HDL : Trigliseride less than 2, you are ok

[Tinkerbell13 in reply to william-Indo]

You sound very knowledgeable thank you so much....Tinkerbell.

[RobPV]

Hi, my understanding of cholesterol is that you are born with a certain level which varies from person to person. Cholesterol levels can be hereditary. My level is 5.4 and I have PV but am not on any meds yet due to my age. My haematologist once told me that diet can only change your cholesterol level by about 10 % and the rest is just what you were born with.

[Deefen in reply to RobPV]

I was told that too (i.e. diet only reducing it by 10%) but I reduced my triglycerides by 70% with diet. They are the most crucial marker.

[Deefen]

Read ‘The Cholesterol Myth’ - cholesterol is not the enemy - sugar and excess carbs are. I follow a ketogenic diet and cholesterol is still very high, but my triglycerides are 0.7 - which is very low and indicates that my cholesterol particle size is big, fluffy & harmless. My coronary calcium score is also zero.

[amhann]

Hello EleanorPV - cholesterol also runs high in my family (but of the evil bad sort)!! - much as I hate being on any form of medication, it is absolutely at the top of my list along with my ET for things requiring risk management. I only needed a low 10mg statin to bring readings down from 8.2 to 4.4 and (after a change of brand which gave me bone pain) I have no issues and am happy to take it long term. Anne-Marie.