Advice re; cholesterol please

[Gwasanaeth]

I am due to see my GP tomorrow with results of cholesterol and latest thyroid results. I realise HDL is above range but don't want to take statins.

02/11/18

Serum cholesterol 6.4 mmols

Serum triglyceride 1.07 mmol (0.0 - 2.0)

Serum HDL cholesterol level 2.8 mol (0.9 - 2.2)

Serum LDL cholesterol 3.1 mmol

Total cholesterol HDL ratio 2.3

Non HDL cholesterol 3.6 mmol

Thyroid Function Test

Serum free T4 17 mmol

Serum TSH 0.48

Since my last post on here I have followed all advice and take recommended vitamins and minerals and have been gluten free. I feel better than I was. Still have fatigue but brain fog improved and generally feel better. B/P is normal. I have temporarily given up work as I was not managing with the fatigue and brain fog. I haven't been able to do another medichecks but plan to do so, hopefully next week.

I would be grateful for any thoughts on these results.

Thank you

[Angel_of_the_North]

You don't have to take anything you don't want to and high cholesterol is a symptom of inflammation, not a cause. So you nee to work out what is causing the problem (often high blood glucose or pre-diabetes or under treated hypo) and fix that. HDL is recycled cholesterol and LDL is new cholesterol (more or less). They are both just carriers (boats) for other things like lipoproteins that need to get around the blood stream. If you are over 60, the higher your cholesterol, statistically, the longer you will live!

[Gwasanaeth in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thank you. Not quite 60, 2 years to go. I know the GP is keen to prescribe statins. I had investigations for ? TIA/stroke and had really high blood pressure 2 years ago but was diagnosed as migraine auras and taken off HRT. B/p fine since and no further auras. During that episode was given statins, aspirin and anti-hypertensives and not allowed to drive until after investigations and diagnosis. My GP is lovely but is quite cautious.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Gwasanaeth]

Well, you can always not actually cash the prescription. I managed not to collect my steroid inhaler prescription for more than 30 years without anyone noticing. Just tell the pharmacist you don't want that item.

[serenfach]

There is a lot of rubbish written about cholesterol. You NEED cholesterol. Research has showed that in the elderly, the best memory function was observed in those with the highest levels of cholesterol. Low cholesterol is associated with an increased risk for depression and even death.

While your brain represents about 2-3% of your total body weight, 25% of the cholesterol in your body is found in your brain, where it plays important roles in such things as membrane function, acts as an antioxidant, and serves as the raw material from which we are able to make things like progesterone, estrogen, cortisol, testosterone and even vitamin D.

Your levels are not that high, and personally, I quite like my brain! As for statins, forget it, in my opinion (and some medical opinion) they are just money spinners and do nothing for your health. As your BP is normal, I would not even think of taking statins.

There are some good articles on the web about statins and cholesterol. Have a quick read so you can answer the GP if he pushes it.

Good luck.