Cholesterol level

[Devoid]

Hi has anyone seen an increase in cholesterol whilst on steroids?

[Hidden]

Yes indeed pred can mess with your cholesterol levels.

livestrong.com/article/4087...

[Devoid in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the quick response, never had it checked before so no bench mark, but now very high 😩

[Hidden in reply to Devoid]

I can never remember the way it's broken down so you can see the relationship between "good" & "bad" cholesterol. I am sure someone can tell you. I am waiting for my latest test having stopped statins in Feb after 18 years. I will see what the difference is.

[Devoid in reply to Hidden]

Unfortunately it was the bad , luckily was able to speak to rheumatology nurse and she will take it to the meeting in the morning, had it done as part of the bloods prior to starting tocilizumab so not sure if that’s not going to be a possibility now?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Devoid]

Found this -not definitive but might be of interest -

Cholesterol levels

This is just a guide. The levels you should aim for might be different. Ask your doctor or nurse what your levels should be.

Healthy levels for different types of cholesterol

ResultHealthy level -

Total cholesterol5 or below

HDL (good cholesterol)1 or above

LDL (bad cholesterol)3 or below

Non-HDL (bad cholesterol)4 or below

Triglycerides2.3 or below

[nickm001 in reply to Hidden]

3 main components HDL ( good) , LDL (bad) and triglycerides. Total number includes all 3, but ratio between LDL /HDL is the one that usually is referenced. It is said that if the ratio is below 2 (or 2.5 can't remember exactly) is considered negative ( less likely then average) factor for heart attack.

for those outside of UK here are the cholesterol numbers

LDL less then 130

HDL 40-100

total less then 219

For example mine are:

LDL = 140

HDL = 87

Total = 238

LDL/HDL = 1.6

While I have higher then normal, ratio is great, so I refuse any meds to mess with cholesterol.

[Devoid in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that link , I have looked on line today but hadn’t found anything as comprehensive as that , the consultant last week described me as cushionoid so I definitely think it’s another adverse effect of the steroids

[Blearyeyed in reply to Devoid]

When you say your Cholesterol is very high and " bad" do you have the results and would you be willing to share them , it might help people understand what level you are working from and help them give you some tips to reduce it.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is a listed and common adverse effect.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It SHOULD have been included. One of the listed adverse effects of Actemra is also raised lipid profile.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

We need cholesterol for an awful lot of things!! In fact, as we age, low cholesterol is associated with poorer outcomes in several contexts.

[misha453]

My cholesterol did increase while on steroids. I just started Tocilizumab and my Rheumatologist ran a lipid panel before I started as he said it could increase LDL (bad cholesterol). He retested Lipids after 4 weeks of Tocilizumab and my LDL (bad cholesterol) increased from 67 to 71. He concluded this was not significant. I am in the US and I don't know how to translate my results to the numbers you use in the UK.

[yogabonnie]

My cholesterol skyrocketed .. and I became PRE diabetes ..then I went off sugar for 3 months and the whole thing returned to normal. He said it was prednisone related and I should not eat sugar salt and lift weights. (easy for him to say!) but I do believe him. I need to retake that advice! Thanks for the reminder