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High cholesterol

High cholesterol does not cause symptoms. You can only find out if you have it from a blood test.

You can lower your cholesterol by eating healthily and getting more exercise. Some people also need to take medicine such as statins.

To reduce your cholesterol, try to cut down on fatty food, especially food that contains a type of fat called saturated fat.

You can still have foods that contain a healthier type of fat called unsaturated fat.

Check labels on food to see what type of fat it has in it.

Try to eat more:

  • oily fish, like mackerel and salmon
  • brown rice, bread and pasta
  • nuts and seeds
  • fruits and vegetables

Try to eat less:

  • meat pies, sausages and fatty meat
  • butter, lard and ghee
  • cream and hard cheese, like cheddar
  • cakes and biscuits
  • food that contains coconut oil or palm oil

Exercise more

Aim to do at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of exercise a week.

Some good things to try when starting out include:

  • walking – try to walk fast enough so your heart starts beating faster
  • swimming
  • cycling

Try a few different exercises to find something you like doing. You're more likely to keep doing it if you enjoy it.

Stop smoking

Smoking can raise your cholesterol and make you more likely to have serious problems like heart attacks, strokes and cancer.

If you want to stop smoking, you can get help and support from:

  • your GP
  • the NHS Stop Smoking Service – your GP can refer you or you can ring the helpline on 0300 123 1044 (England only)

They can give you useful tips and advice about ways to stop cravings.

Cut down on alcohol

Try to:

  • avoid drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week
  • have several drink-free days each week
  • avoid drinking lots of alcohol in a short time (binge drinking)

Ask your GP for help and advice if you're struggling to cut down.

Medicine to lower your cholesterol

You might need medicine to lower your cholesterol if:

  • your cholesterol level has not gone down after changing your diet and lifestyle
  • you're at a high risk of having a heart attack or stroke

Ask your doctor about the medicines you can take.

Statins are the most common medicine for high cholesterol.

They reduce the amount of cholesterol your body makes.

You take a tablet once a day. You usually need to take them for life.

Other medicines for high cholesterol

Other medicines may be used if statins do not work or you do not want to take statins.

These include:

  • other tablets – such as ezetimibe, fibrates, bile acid sequestrants (also called resins) and bempedoic acid
  • injections – such as alirocumab and evolocumab

Related links

High cholesterol

Getting tested

Cholesterol levels

How to lower your cholesterol

Medicines for high cholesterol

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4,498 public posts

High cholesterol

Maybe my cholesterol isn’t high but I’m just worrying that it is and I was very hypothyroid by the time I was diagnosed. Thank you
Maybe my cholesterol isn’t high but I’m just worrying that it is and I was very hypothyroid by the time I was diagnosed. Thank you
HashisKate profile image
HashisKate
in Thyroid UK

High cholesterol & levothyroxine

My diet is good, I exercise regularly & have no family history of high cholesterol. My questions is this: if hypothyroidism & subsequent levo treatment leads to high cholesterol - is that likely to be because of too much or too little thyroxine?
My diet is good, I exercise regularly & have no family history of high cholesterol. My questions is this: if hypothyroidism & subsequent levo treatment leads to high cholesterol - is that likely to be because of too much or too little thyroxine?
Will_blue profile image
Will_blue
in Thyroid UK

High cholesterol...

Hello everyone, my doctor wants to put me on statins due to my high level of cholesterol. However, I have read a fascinating article by Thyroid U.K. about the link between an under-active thyroid and high cholesterol - and I wonder if, by raising my level of T3, my cholesterol could be lowered.
Hello everyone, my doctor wants to put me on statins due to my high level of cholesterol. However, I have read a fascinating article by Thyroid U.K. about the link between an under-active thyroid and high cholesterol - and I wonder if, by raising my level of T3, my cholesterol could be lowered.
ArtySally profile image
ArtySally
in Thyroid UK
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Natural remedies to lower cholesterol

Has anybody with PBC & high cholesterol tried 1MD Nutrition CholestMD - They claim it Supports Healthy HDL & LDL Cholesterol Levels. Contains Olive Leaf Extract, Bergavit, Niacin, Garlic. Any other natural remedies that work?
Has anybody with PBC & high cholesterol tried 1MD Nutrition CholestMD - They claim it Supports Healthy HDL & LDL Cholesterol Levels. Contains Olive Leaf Extract, Bergavit, Niacin, Garlic. Any other natural remedies that work?
StopPBC profile image
StopPBC
in PBCers Organization

High cholesterol

Anyone else have a high cholesterol level despite having a relatively healthy life mines 7. Nurse wants me on statins asap
Anyone else have a high cholesterol level despite having a relatively healthy life mines 7. Nurse wants me on statins asap
Fifimyangel profile image
Fifimyangel
in British Heart Foundation

Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (Inherited High Cholesterol) alias FH

Fortunately my two grown up sons have 'normal ' cholesterol levels which looks to be inherited from my wife if genetics play a part, whereas some of my relations from my mother's side of the family have also had very high cholesterol levels.
Fortunately my two grown up sons have 'normal ' cholesterol levels which looks to be inherited from my wife if genetics play a part, whereas some of my relations from my mother's side of the family have also had very high cholesterol levels.
LowerField profile image
LowerField
in British Heart Foundation

'Amber' Cholesterol

[i]'m 51, [/i] [i]My father had triple[/i] heart surgery[u], has [/u][u]high[i] cholesterol, heart [/i][/u][i][u]failure[/u][/i]. My m[u]m also had high[i] cholesterol. 2 o f my grandparents died[/i] of heart attacks, my other grandparent died[i] of a stroke.
[i]'m 51, [/i] [i]My father had triple[/i] heart surgery[u], has [/u][u]high[i] cholesterol, heart [/i][/u][i][u]failure[/u][/i]. My m[u]m also had high[i] cholesterol. 2 o f my grandparents died[/i] of heart attacks, my other grandparent died[i] of a stroke.
mkrcs profile image
mkrcs
in British Heart Foundation

High cholesterol in family question

He was told it was caused by his high cholesterol but he never knew he had it at the time. They advised that his siblings got tested and they all had high cholesterol as did the majority of my cousins and everyone of them went on statins.
He was told it was caused by his high cholesterol but he never knew he had it at the time. They advised that his siblings got tested and they all had high cholesterol as did the majority of my cousins and everyone of them went on statins.
Luna_lily profile image
Luna_lily
in Cholesterol Support

High cholesterol

Is there any evidence that low levels of B12 Can cause high cholesterol… I also have an under active thyroid !!
Is there any evidence that low levels of B12 Can cause high cholesterol… I also have an under active thyroid !!
Smethurst profile image
Smethurst
in Pernicious Anaemia Society

High cholesterol

Total cholesterol 264, h d l 53 vldl 13, CL dl198, triglycerides 66,ratio 5 the doctor wants me to take 40 mg ofatorvastain Any advice to lower cholesterol with out drugs Thanks in advance! Currently on carbadopa levodopa25-100mgs 1pill every 8hrs, baclofen 5 mg twice a day
Total cholesterol 264, h d l 53 vldl 13, CL dl198, triglycerides 66,ratio 5 the doctor wants me to take 40 mg ofatorvastain Any advice to lower cholesterol with out drugs Thanks in advance! Currently on carbadopa levodopa25-100mgs 1pill every 8hrs, baclofen 5 mg twice a day
Smittybear7 profile image
Smittybear7
in Cure Parkinson's

High cholesterol

My doctor has prescribed generic Lipitor. I’ve been putting off any Rx for cholesterol a few years now. Wondering if anyone had any side effects as I haven’t picked it up yet. Or what you are taking with good results. Thanks!
My doctor has prescribed generic Lipitor. I’ve been putting off any Rx for cholesterol a few years now. Wondering if anyone had any side effects as I haven’t picked it up yet. Or what you are taking with good results. Thanks!
Magnolia209 profile image
Magnolia209
in AMN EASIER

Thoughts on Statins

Hi, I've recently had a blood test which showed I have a high cholesterol level and I have AF; my GP wants me to take Statins, he's prescribed Lipitor. Reading the leaflet has me a bit worried about the side effects and wondered if anyone can share their experience with me.
Hi, I've recently had a blood test which showed I have a high cholesterol level and I have AF; my GP wants me to take Statins, he's prescribed Lipitor. Reading the leaflet has me a bit worried about the side effects and wondered if anyone can share their experience with me.
shirljo profile image
shirljo
in AF Association

Cholesterol over range despite weight loss and dieting - what’s going on?

I got the well woman check to check a few things I was concerned about monitoring including my cholesterol. My previous check last year showed my cholesterol was high but still in normal range but now my results are above normal.
I got the well woman check to check a few things I was concerned about monitoring including my cholesterol. My previous check last year showed my cholesterol was high but still in normal range but now my results are above normal.
Newmummy82 profile image
Newmummy82
in Thyroid UK

Brain fog query

Or contributes to high cholesterol How many people taking Levo are also taking cholesterol pills and free from brain fog?? How many taking Levo and have high cholesterol but don't take cholesterol pills and suffering brain fog??? Is the serum levels of T4 contributing to high cholesterol???
Or contributes to high cholesterol How many people taking Levo are also taking cholesterol pills and free from brain fog?? How many taking Levo and have high cholesterol but don't take cholesterol pills and suffering brain fog??? Is the serum levels of T4 contributing to high cholesterol???
Timbutdim profile image
Timbutdim
in Thyroid UK

High Cholesterol

However my cholesterol level is 5.7 - I am unsure what else I can do to lower it and I’m feeling very anxious that it’s high especially given my age. The nurse said that high cholesterol increases risk of stroke and heart attacks which has further worried me.
However my cholesterol level is 5.7 - I am unsure what else I can do to lower it and I’m feeling very anxious that it’s high especially given my age. The nurse said that high cholesterol increases risk of stroke and heart attacks which has further worried me.
Knic profile image
Knic
in Cholesterol Support

Cholesterol and hypothyroidism

I was wondering if there is any relationship between these, had mine checked they aren’t like really bad but my HDL is a bit low and my total cholesterol is a bit high. I don’t know, could be diet related also.
I was wondering if there is any relationship between these, had mine checked they aren’t like really bad but my HDL is a bit low and my total cholesterol is a bit high. I don’t know, could be diet related also.
Dshadzz07 profile image
Dshadzz07
in Thyroid UK

Increase of LDL Cholesterol suddenly.

I take Lovastatin for High cholesterol. For many years all my numbers have been well within normal range. Never a spike I also make sue I eat very healthy.
I take Lovastatin for High cholesterol. For many years all my numbers have been well within normal range. Never a spike I also make sue I eat very healthy.
Dakot profile image
Dakot
in Kidney Disease

Blood test results - am I interpreting them correctly?

Also, I've read that high cholesterol might be because of hypothyroidism, might this be the case here? Thank you in advance for the answers and the advice.
Also, I've read that high cholesterol might be because of hypothyroidism, might this be the case here? Thank you in advance for the answers and the advice.
Alex_p profile image
Alex_p
in Thyroid UK

Lost in ignorance, bit scared

high cholesterol and other signs. Energy not bad, do strength training and yoga each a few times a week and cycle etc. I am 65 years old Got some low dose levo from GP, but didnt feel great on it. Lost confidence. went to a forum where T3 mono or primary is often extolled.
high cholesterol and other signs. Energy not bad, do strength training and yoga each a few times a week and cycle etc. I am 65 years old Got some low dose levo from GP, but didnt feel great on it. Lost confidence. went to a forum where T3 mono or primary is often extolled.
lauriegraham profile image
lauriegraham
in Thyroid UK

Cholesterol and CKD

Does anyone have any experience or information about high cholesterol and kidney damage.
Does anyone have any experience or information about high cholesterol and kidney damage.
drmind profile image
drmind
in Kidney Disease
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