Cholesterol

[Janeval]

I have just had a cholesterol test with a reading of 6.5. The Doctor hasn't contacted me about it , but I eat a very healthy, low fat diet. Can Pred & a lot of worry/stress ( which i have in bucketfulls at the moment) affect our cholesterol readings?

[Mrsd12f]

Hi Janeval,

I had a similar problem: despite every effort, I was unable to lower my levels. Eventually, I was diagnosed with Familial hypercholesterolaemia, which, as the name suggests, is hereditary. It might be worth asking your GP about it.

[Janeval in reply to Mrsd12f]

My Mum had high cholesterol even though, like me, she was very slim and ate a healthy diet. I'll see what my Doc says.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Stress itself is not usually listed as contributing factor… but chronic inflammation and some medications can do.

No doubt your doctor will want a discussion - I would expect so with that reading - if it’s out of your normal range..

[Clarinet1234 in reply to DorsetLady]

My cholesterol came back at 6.1 but with normal ratio. The GP suggested leaving it alone for the time being as the prednisolone may be putting it up. Also to rheumatologist as suggested I eat less carbs( I eat very little anyway and eat more fat which I don't usually do. Could that have caused it?

[Janeval in reply to Clarinet1234]

My diet is pretty healthy but I'm going to look at what I could do to bring the readings down if I can, but I did read about Pred putting readings up

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Clarinet1234]

Yes, Pred can increase cholesterol levels…. and if GP is okay will results at moment, then fair dos.

Plenty of info on BHF site re cholesterol - bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Clarinet1234 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank youx

[Janeval]

Can't remember when I last had a cholesterol test but I'm sure I've never had a high reading, so I shall contact my Docs.

[winfong]

High cholesterol is a pretty well-known side effect of pred. Do a quick Google search.

Your doc will probably want you to take statins. They're a bit controversial, but I personally haven't had any trouble with them.

[Janeval in reply to winfong]

I really don't want to take stations, I'd rather try & alter my diet if I can to see if I can bring the readings down!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Pred above all. But you can't actually do a great deal with a "healthy low fat diet" (personally I'd dispute low fat is necessarily healthy, it is an out-dated concept based on dodgy science and the backing of Big Food which makes a lot of money out of low fat products - which tend to be high carb and high additive and as such contribute to such problems, expecially when on pred.

You can reduce cholesterol with diet - but it is a very stringent and most people struggle.