Cholesterol blood test

[Kari55]

My husband was referred to do a cholesterol test and his GP told him not to fast. She said that because he has Graves the results won’t be accurate. He didn’t ask about the detailed reasons and now is asking me what to do! I don’t understand any of it. Would you please let me know whether you fast or not before having your cholesterol tested?

[greygoose]

I'm afraid I can't tell you the answer to that, but I would like to know why the doctor is testing his cholesterol when she knows that the results won't be accurate due to his Grave's? Sounds like a waste of NHS money, to me - but then I think all cholesterol testing is a waste of money!

[Marymary7 in reply to greygoose]

So that they have the excuse to prescribe Statins! Don't.

[Kari55 in reply to greygoose]

He had high cholesterol some time ago and wanted to have it checked again now when his thyroid is under control.

[greygoose in reply to Kari55]

OK, but it really isn't a good idea. Cholesterol is not a problem, so if it's high again, he really doesn't want to go on statins. Testing cholesterol and prescribing statins is just a money-making exercise for doctors. It has nothing to do with patient health.

[Kari55 in reply to greygoose]

Oh no he won’t go on statins but if it’s high again it would be a bit of a worry as he is diet is really good.

[greygoose in reply to Kari55]

Cholesterol levels have little to do with diet. It's made in the liver. The more you ingest in the way of food, the less the liver makes. The less you ingest, the more the liver makes, to keep a balance. High cholesterol is a symptom - not a disease - a symptom that something else is off in the body.

The body needs cholesterol - you'd fall apart without it. And, it doesn't cause heart attacks or strokes - that is a Big Pharma-made myth.

[Kari55 in reply to greygoose]

I don’t think I agree as I used to have high cholesterol for years and I was devouring sweets all the time. I have started eating healthy a few years ago and my cholesterol is great ever since. I understand that body needs cholesterol but if it’s high it can be an alarming sign.

[greygoose in reply to Kari55]

What sort of sweets have cholesterol in them?

Seriously, though, have a look at this:

spacedoc.com/articles/50-fa...

[ling in reply to Kari55]

Ya that's true. Last year I unknowingly ate food cooked with lard oil, over several weeks, and horrors! my cholesterol severely spiked up. It reversed in the subsequent test after stopping the lard-laced food.

Re statins. My mother has been on them for the last 20+ years, albeit a low dose, and they have served her well. In an angiogram done earlier this year at age 84, to rule out blocked arteries as a cause of ongoing heart issues, she required no stenting and only 30% blockage not in the main arteries.

Seeing both my mom and dad's experience with statins, this class of cardio drugs, do still serve its purpose of keeping high cholesterol in check.

Cheers : )

[greygoose in reply to ling]

Ling, lard and oil are fats. Not cholesterol. Fat does not magically convert into cholesterol when it gets into the body. It will not raise your cholesterol levels.

Lard is one of the good fats that are recommended for a healthy diet.

[ling]

Hi dear Kari, this question bugged me for quite a long time as I wasn't able to get a decent answer from any of the doctors I was seeing.

However, after almost 5 years after Graves diagnosis, and having had lipid panel tested 6 monthly owing to family history with heart disease, and being post menopausal, I guess I have the answer to the cholesterol question for those with Graves.

As long as the Graves is under control and stable, meaning thyroid blood test results from regular intervals testing is stable, no big fluctuations, results mostly at the constant same levels, you can assume that cholesterol test results should be giving the correct picture. And the test in this instance, should be done having fasted.

My initial fasting cholesterol test results were fantastic, in the optimum range. As my Graves stabilised, it started testing higher but still in the alright range. I noted that diet made a difference. Healthier oils, low saturated fats, lean meats, not overdoing the red meats, home cooked food, sufficient fibre, these made a difference to cholesterol levels.

Finally, if there are symptoms pointing to heart problems like chest pains, heart attack, and high cholesterol is suspected, an accurate way to check is to have an angiogram to check for blocked arteries. Fasting cholesterol blood tests in this scenario, are only about 80% accurate.

Btw, has the house moving issue been resolved? A constant state of stress and being anxious and worried, can trigger heart symptoms as well, even if he is medicated and considered euthyroid. Thyroid hormones tend to act up where stress is involved.

I hope you and the twins are doing fine as well. God bless all of you.

[Kari55 in reply to ling]

He has just gone for a test without breakfast. His diet is very healthy and we have cut down on coconut oil too to see it it makes any difference.

That’s so kind of you to ask about twins and the house! 🙏🏻

I’m still cooking the twins and getting pretty heavy now (30 weeks this Saturday) but I feel fine. I think we are 1 week away from the exchange 🤞🏻 Will be calling my solicitor again today. It is being very stressful and the survey has also showed up some unexpected things but we are hoping to move in the last week of September. Unfortunately I won’t be able to participate in the move being so heavily pregnant and my husband would have to do it all 🤦🏻‍♀️ We are hiring removal companies who will do the packing too. A real combo! X

[ling in reply to Kari55]

Glad to hear you are doing well : )

The jury's still out on coconut oil, though some studies have shown some very interesting results. Still, if there's personal or family history of cardiovascular diseases, symptoms, better to consume it with caution.

God bless you my dear : )

All the best for a safe delivery!

[Kari55 in reply to ling]

Thank you ling! ❤️

Yes, I think coconut oil should be certainly consumed in moderation. I’ve done a lot of research about it and read contradicting information.

Xx

[Jivedancer]

I have high cholesterol! Also under active thyroid! Last cholesterol test I did not fast my gp said I had to go on statins take one every other day low dose otherwise I could have a stroke/ heart attack by the way I have a healthy diet and lifestyle so high cholesterol can be inherited! Or an age thing

[Kari55 in reply to Jivedancer]

There is definitely some link between cholesterol and thyroid which I don’t quite understand and need to educate myself. My husband has done a fasting test this morning so let’s see what the result is. This cholesterol is a funny thing! I used to have high cholesterol through my whole 20s but I was eating a lot of rubbish. Since I’ve changed my diet, the levels have been great. My dad and granddad always had high cholesterol. My grandma on the other hand has great cholesterol and she is obese 🤷🏻‍♀️

[ling in reply to Kari55]

True, not all overweight people have high cholesterol. Two of my relatives are like that.

Cholesterol profile same for me in my 20s 30s. Improved after I cleaned up my diet later.

[ling in reply to Kari55]

Kari, this might be of interest to you when you have the time -

GRAVES AND THYROTOXICOSIS : LIPIDS

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Kari55 in reply to ling]

Oh brill, thank you! X

[ling in reply to Jivedancer]

Yes, high cholesterol can be inherited and run in families. My dad's family is one such example.

Just to share.

A poster on a forum I used to read, the chap suffered on off chest pains and finally saw a doctor, who prescribed him statins. He decided if he continued on his intensive exercise regime, there was no need for him to start medication, and in fact, he could continue eating whatever he wanted as well.

A few years later, he suffered crushing chest pains and could not avoid going to the A&E.

[Hidden in reply to Jivedancer]

I just found out my triglyceride levels are out of range and my HDL levels are too low relative to LDL...I have been eating three eggs a day for quite some time, in an attempt to eat more fat and less carbs, and my mother is convinced the eggs are to blame...

So, I have started eating eggs daily, along with virgin coconut oil, and I never use low-fat dairy anymore, only full-fat. Now, my labs look worse than ever...not sure if there is a connection to my dietary changes, though, or if that can be explained by cortisol, thyroid, HRT or maybe a combination of them all...but it's worrying nonetheless as I've read so much about how fat, and especially saturated fat, will NOT raise cholesterol levels...

[Coastwalker]

I read that cholesterol and thyroid bloods can have an inverted effect on each other, if one is high the other might be low, that if you have high cholesterol it is always best to check your thyroid levels,