Does Prednisolone affect Cholesterol levels and blood pressure??

[LBM1953]

Hi. Back in February (pre PMR) my cholesterol was HDL - 1.5 and LDL 3.8. Six months later (four months after commencing Pred) my levels are now HDL - 2.4 and LDL - 5.0!! My levels have never moved by much over the years and this was something of a shock particularly as it has happened so quickly. Practice Nurse said overall it was OK because my ratio was actuall better in the latest round (down from 3.87 to 3.3). Also my average blood pressure reading have improved markedly since taking the Prednisolone. Question. Does the Pred affect your cholesterol levels and blood pressure like this normally?

[jinasc]

Can do.........

However if you change your breakfast to real porridge and a whole orange (not just the juice) it can help to lower that level and keep it down.

[LBM1953 in reply to jinasc]

My Missus goves me the biggest bowl of organic porridge every morning! Me I'd prefer a bacon sarnie but with the Pred giving me Type 2 diabetes as well I'm off the bread!! Don't have the orange but the porridge has two prunes, two dried apricots, some stewed plums (got a freezer full from the garden) and a handful of walnuts. I count that as my five-a- day!!.

[123-go in reply to LBM1953]

What I'd give for a bacon sarnie!-in spite of a mainly vegetarian diet.

[Suffererc in reply to 123-go]

🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 123-go]

It was the deal breaker for a young veggie friend of mine! She'd been practically vegan but her doctor went nuts at her because she needed more protein so she did reintroduce some animal protein ...

[123-go in reply to PMRpro]

I have to have fish-and chicken which is versatile for a number of recipes so it doesn't become boring 😋.

[123-go in reply to LBM1953]

I have porridge with berries for breakfast all year. Watch the size of the serving of oats 😉.

[jinasc in reply to LBM1953]

The porridge and the orange were what the stroke clinic advised after a stroke to get that cholesterol down and it did. I did wonder why the orange, but after looking on the net I understood. It has to be the whole orange not just the juice.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jinasc]

The fibre in the orange - if you juice it, you lose the benefit of the fibre.

[jinasc in reply to PMRpro]

I was sure you had told me something ages ago but could not find it.....grrrr - this time I will remember - hopefully.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jinasc]

Doesn't matter - I'll tell you as often as you need

[OonaSt in reply to PMRpro]

So for us here in U.S., what is porridge? Is it oatmeal? My BP and cholesterol has gotten bad since prednisone.

[LBM1953 in reply to OonaSt]

Yes it is oats. We buy organic whole jumbo oats which don't have any "dusty" bits in it...

[OonaSt in reply to LBM1953]

Are the oats considered gluten free? I’ve gone on GF diet and don’t want to eat anything made in same facility as wheat, barley,etc.

[LBM1953 in reply to OonaSt]

As far as I am aware they are GF but not guaranteed because they may get contaminated with other grains at the farm. You would need to check with your supplier methinks...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to OonaSt]

There are oats sold as contaminant free - at a price of course since they require special conditions. However, if you are coeliac you need to check as oats also have gluten in them and while it is a form that is OK for many coeliacs, it isn't for some.

[piglette in reply to jinasc]

I love porridge. I am giving my sister a porridge bowl with a lid with porridge written on it for Christmas. She loves porridge too.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is a listed adverse effect.

[fitzida in reply to PMRpro]

LBM1953 asked whether Prednisolone affects Cholesterol and blood pressure levels. There were no direct answers to this query apart from advice to eat porridge. Does anyone have a more scientific information as it's an interesting question

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to fitzida]

healthline.com/health/high-...

This partly explains it taking the context of stress inclreasing cortisol - and being on corticosteroids is the same, just exogenous corticosteroid instead of endogenous (from the body).

cortisone-info.com/en/side-...

samj.org.za/index.php/samj/...

is a rather more heavy duty analysis ...

[Viv54]

Hi im your age also, and when i went to my Dr for blood tests this was exactly the same about my Cholesterol , always remained the same for years, it had shot up. But for me i have had very high BP for a very long time , it had dropped to a good level ! so at least one positive. I did google it and yes it does cause things to rise. Thats why i call Pred the double edge sword, it give on one hand and takes in the other ! Best wishes Viv.

[Liby57]

Prednisone raises blood pressure in many people who take it. One reason is that prednisone and other corticosteroids cause the body to retain fluid. Extra fluid in the circulation can cause an increase in blood pressure

[Liby57]

See info about PMR and cholesterol

livestrong.com/article/4087...

[LBM1953]

Thanks for all the comments. I think I just have to get on with things as they are for the moment. Accept the benefit of my blood pressure having come down and waiting until my next lipid test in three months. I have a GP review next week so will discuss it with her also.