Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Dyan on August 13, 2018, 11:40:52 AM
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I have just received my cholesterol test results and it says above range and I'm to see my doctor.
I rang for an appointment but can't get one for 4 weeks.
My serum cholesterol level (XE2eD) reads 7.5 mmol/L (3.6-5.0)
Does anyone understand the readings?
I am worrying about this but if it was urgent then surely the doctor would have called me in?
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It's not urgent, I expect they will simply put you on statins. If I were you, I'd have a good look at you diet and exercise regime and see if you can reduce your cholesterol naturally first. Keeping slim and active with a diet low in saturated fats is the way to go. Lots of brisk walking, swimming or exercise classes with fresh foods, omega oils and a lot less meat can work wonders. DG x
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Thank you Dancinggirl,
My meat intake is low anyway and I eat lots of fruit & veg but I do have a sweet tooth and love cakes & chocolate. For the passed wk I have cut out these things and replaced them with nuts & seeds.
I exercise 5 times a wk for 35 mins on a strider and walk wherever I can.
I forgot to mention, I also have an under active thyroid.
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Hi Dyan,
I would just like to say that many mainstream doctors are now disputing the efficacy of prescribing statins so widely, for high cholesterol. If your GP wishes you to take them please do your own research first. I have posted the link below as a start.
https://drmalcolmkendrick.org/statin-nation-the-documentary/
Take a look at the rest of the website too as it is very informative.
Shadyglade
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Plant sterols are a natural way to reduce cholesterol, also oat bran. Good luck!
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Thank you Shadyglade & marge,
Yes I read that plant sterols and oat bran was good to reduce cholesterol.
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I agree with the others, even if my cholesterol was a bit high I would resist statins as I seem to react badly to any medication these days and really question what negative effects occur long term due to this drug. It would be better to use HRT as at least this supplements things more naturally. DG x
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Also - is this just total cholesterol? Docs aren't supposed to look at just this anyway. They should have measured HDL and LDL and it's the ratio of Total to HDL (I think that's right) that's important. if they haven't measured this then apart from diet lifestyle and exercise - don't let them prescribe you anything on the basis of this anyway - until they've done the proper blood tests. My cholesterol ( total) is high but nothing has ever been suggested as my ratio is fine. I can;t do anything more than I;m doing - not overweight, have good siet, low alcohol, lots of exercise and low BP. My doc said some people's cholesterol is naturally high and also I think it tends to rise with age without necessarily having a pathological reason ie not needing medical intervention. They may do a Q risk thingy - where they plug your vital stats into a computer programme and come up with your 10 year stroke risk. If you're not overweight and your blood pressure is normal then your stroke risk should be low.
Did I read somewhere that cholesterol tends to be raiid with under-active thyroid anyway? So - if you are still symptomatic - tired, overweight sometimes feeling cold - in particular - then may be your thyroid meds need increasing and this might reduce your cholesterol ( this is from memory so might have remembered wrongly!).
If you go to home pgae of forum and search "cholesterol" you might find other threads with this title where it has been discussed.
Hurdity x
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Went to see the nurse on Friday about my high cholesterol only to be told that my thyroid isn't right >:(
I wasn't told this when I rang for my test results.
Couldn't get an appointment with GP for 4 wks so went online to find private GP and my own Doctor came up.
DH suggested I make an appointment, as he's so disappointed with the nhs, so I did, and got one for this Thursday morning.
I haven't seen my own gp for 3 years because it's so hard to get an appointment with him.
He put me on thyroxine then and I've only had one blood test since then.
No wonder my cholesterol is high if my thyroid function is not working properly.
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Dyan - this is appalling. That you feel you have pay to get the treatment you need is a strong indication of how bad things are with the NHS. I feel the same. It's more about privilege now than ever before. The only things given proper support are life threatening things like cancer and heart problems.
I have a friend and neighbour who has a history of cancer ( several episodes of treatment since her teens) and when she developed back and hip pain last year the GP did the usual thing of prescribing pain killers and physio. After several weeks of continued problems she finally went privately and they discovered she had cancer in her bones.
I find the state of the NHS quite frightening. DG x
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If you are on thyroxine Dylan you are supposed to have a blood test every 12 months.
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It doesn't give us much confidence in them at all does it?
Your poor friend. Like you say it just goes to show how bad the NHS is.
I go private for my mental health as I was badly let down by them 14 years ago when I had a breakdown. X
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LM- yes I know, but when I originally spoke to my
GP about that he said it doesn't happen.
I only had a blood test recently because I saw a locum doctor who noticed I hadn't had a test for my thyroid for some time.
Now my thyroid is not right,but didn't know that, until I saw the nurse about my high cholesterol.
I wasn't told when I phoned for my results and that was 5 wks ago. >:(
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shambles >:(
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Our surgery hauls me in every 12 months. Won't let me get another prescription until I make an appointment and book a blood test.
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We were told to take statins months ago. Himself decided to go the diet route and I gave in. Different GP. Different tests. We went to see our GP eventually who explained that the guide lines have been altered as to when statins should be prescribed. It was clear at the time ::) and as he isn't a GP to prescribe if it ain't necessary we are now both on them.
Sadly the state of GPs in the NHS will become worse as many Doctors in training don't want the hassle of GP work in the NHS. They do their training and if they want to deal with patients directly they are going abroad or becoming Consultants. Those that trained when Was in the NHS are now retiring and there is a gap.
The Nurse who talked to Himself offered statins and when he resisted, she was going to put 'refused statins'. There were a lot of anomalies in the blood results anyway and she didn't know that he is a Research Chemist. At one point he was told that a result might be due to dehydration at the time of the test but his slightly high cholesterol test - taken at the same time, she didn't mention dehydration. He queries this with our GP.
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You shouldn't have to 'give in' to your GP. You are in charge of your health and welfare. You also have the right to refuse any treatment, no matter what they write on your record.
Absolutely disgraceful behaviour by your surgery.
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The money wasted on statins would be far better spent else where.
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Yep. But the Nurse has been advised by NICE the this is the way to go. She had no idea how to interpret results which was obvious by her not considering that dehydration may have had an impact on the cholesterol as well as other results. Which is why Himself want the diet way for 3/4 months B4 we saw our GP.
It does seem however: that once on status we can eat and drink exactly what we like! There was no diet advice given by the Nurse when he wanted to try that route, it was 'take it or ........ '. No question of referral to the GP for discussion, nor to see a Consultant au fait with Cholesterol etc.. Ticking boxes I reckon. I did bring up the point about who was paying whom to prescribe statins ........
Such as? It is known that statins do lessen the risk of stroke which costs the NHS M£ ........ and takes away someones freedoms. And with the current situation in the care sector - i.e. there isn't much - prevention might be better than 'cure'.
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I would dispute the idea that statins have much effect on CVD. The statistics really don't support it.
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My GP assures me that they do. As well as a friend who never took them having a stroke in Feb. I prefer to be cautious. Fortunately I haven't had any particular side effects after the initial acute muscle pains.
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I think it's well documented now that prescribing statins is part of the contracted bonus plan for UK GPs. Maybe the practice insists to add ‘refused statins' otherwise they get hit with breach of contract.
Now it's proven they are not the prophylactic of heart disease the NHS were led to believe by the drug companies' ‘research', this may end soon and they'll be prescribed more responsibly, as I'm sure they have their place.
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Do your own research CLKD. The info GPS have originates from the drug companies. As I mentioned before in the links I have provided there are plenty of GPs who do not routinely prescribe statins. This includes my own.
Check out Dr Malcolm Kendicks website.
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I would be surprised if anyone was prescribed statins purely on the basis of a cholesterol result :-\. Maybe I mentioend ealrier in this thread or another similar that they will do a Qrisk score to see your risk of getting a stroke in next X years and if high then they would suggest them? The Q risk thing is based on body weight, whether you smoke, age, etc as well as cholesterol reading. Mine was high ( the total Ch), the ratio was fine ( because they measured HDL and LDL as well as total), but my Q risk score was something like 7 % and my doc was totally happy. Said retest the Ch two years hence. If your lifestyle and diet are also good then surely no need to medicate. My doc said some people just clear Ch slower than others. Statins were not even mentioned to me.
Hurdity x
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Exactly. My cholesterol has been high for over 20 years (hovers between 6 & 7), but statins have never been mentioned.
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Bump for Northarm
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Hi all,
Sorry haven't been on here for a little while. Having depression/anxiety/ OCD blip.
Just thought I would look in this morning to catch up.
Anyway I went to see my GP privately about my cholesterol and thyroid only to be told my thyroid is fine. My cholesterol is high but when the GP did the risk assessment I have only a 3% chance of having a heart attack or stroke. As long as I make some changes to my diet he is not worried and I'm to have another blood test in 3 months to see where I am.
I have made several changes to my diet. Porridge for breakfast, lots of fruit,veg, changed my clover spread to olivio or flora and take a bencol drink each evening after my main meal.
We'll see how that goes. I still allow myself a cake of some chocolate now & again.
My GP said it's not going to matter as long as I'm not eating it every day.
Relieved to have seen my GP so not worried now but going through this awful blip, for which I'm taking clonazapam as needed. Knocks me out and keeps me calm.
X
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Also forgot to say I don't need statins because the % is under 10.
If that helps anybody wondering.
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That's really good news. Congratulations 🎊
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Yes, congratulations Dyan....
I just did the online Qrisk assessment, and I came in at 5.7%....so, I'm choosing to make some lifestyle changes before going the statin route. Thank goodness for this page!!
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Bump for new member nicolaVR
Hurdity x
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Please do lots of research before taking statins. The brain has the highest concentration of cholesterol in the body and as it needs a lot to function it makes all of its own .
Statins cross the brain /blood barrier , enter brain cells and reduce the brains ability to make cholesterol. Yikes : :o
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My Surgery wouldn't give me statins until I had been for the blood test. But I had run out of medication which THEY INSISTED I should take. The waiting list for a test was 2 weeks ::)
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My Surgery wouldn't give me statins until I had been for the blood test. But I had run out of medication which THEY INSISTED I should take. The waiting list for a test was 2 weeks ::)
Your surgery has no right to insist you take anything.
The choice is yours and yours alone.
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Just read an article about a new twice yearly statin injection - they really do want to statinise us all and not give us hrt😅
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Nope Winterose - different medications for different conditions ;-)
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Plant sterols are a natural way to reduce cholesterol, also oat bran. Good luck!
Was wondering what is Plant sterols?
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My doctor recommended OAT BRAN - so I have Mornflakes OatBran as part of my breakfast . My cholesterol was 7.5 last year so just about due for a check to see if this is working ( will let you know)
I had problem some years ago also and used Benecol spread which did actually work and bring my readings down after 12 months. However I had a reaction to the plant sterols and kept coming out in an itchy rash so had to stop using it
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What is a normal cholesterol reading, mine was 5.8 on the last blood test. It was also 5.8 two years ago. So I'm thinking do I need to reduce my saturated fat intake?🤔 I already eat porridge in the morning but I do like the odd cake, cheese and biscuits.
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Hello ladies
A simple way to reduce cholesterol and saturated fat is to substitute with plant foods. I've found this surprisingly easy to do and now eat soya products instead of dairy, all kinds of plant milks instead of cows milk and avoid eggs. It's amazing how many food items contain animal products so it's worth checking labels.
Wishing everyone well.
K.
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The link between saturated fats and raised cholesterol is now being extensively challenged. I suggest taking a look at Dr. Malcolm Kendricks website, and in particular the ' Statin Nation' video, for an alternative point of view.
https://drmalcolmkendrick.org/2018/07/03/why-saturated-fat-cannot-raise-cholesterol-levels-ldl-levels/
https://www.bmj.com/content/347/bmj.f6340/rr/669222
https://www.bmj.com/content/361/bmj.k2139/rr-4
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/51/15/1111
This last link is particularly interesting.
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Milk is produced by mammals nothing else, otherwise it's a sap or liquid 'dressed up' ;)
Some people can't tolerate soya-based foodstuffs and I can't tolerate eggs unless they are in :cupcake: or pancakes. Otherwise they sit in my gut and make me feel really ill.
We eat: cabbage, cauliflower, leeks, sweetcorn, carrots, red beet; potatoes in all forms; sprouts in season; legumes in all forms; peppers, garlic, ginger. Radishes, tomatoes, occasionally lettuce/Chinese cabbage. Sounds healthy :-\ ......... we start the day with a good oat-based mix with semi-skimmed cows' milk. Some is home grown including strawberries, loganberries, grapes, raspberries and currants.
Meat is plant based. It is suggested that people eat more goat :-X products as well as game in season [from 1 Oct til Feb.] because there's very little fat on early shot birds. We eat fish twice a week and lots of chicken.
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Unfortunately even Vegans can get high cholesterol.
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5.8 Isn't very high, mine at the last check was 5.4 and told it was fine,on the other hand my sisters [both sisters in fact] was something like 9,which is far too high,
I wouldn't worry too much, i always liked Lurpak butter and reduced it, without going on to margarine which i hate,i did try it, and it reduced slightly
I don't take statins, after my local pharmacist said she would never take them, i thought that is a good recommendation not to take them , try the diet way
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Hi Jaycee that's what I'm goung to do, just got to be a bit careful with cheese, cakes and biscuits. I love cooking so it's not going to be easy..
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Well Tracy,after saying that i am on the Keto diet,it is supposed to be good for Diebetes and pre diabetics, which i am
I have put quite a lot of weight on, [for me] i usually struggle to gain weight, and last summer was trying everything to put weight on, but my daughter started the Keto diet and has lost 3ib since Sunday,the best of it is you can eat a lot, but no bread,potato's and sugar, and milk, cream in your coffee,
Will give it a try, but not sure how it affects Cholesterol, i think its fine, but will check
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3lb is too much in a short time!
Also that won't be maintained as the body often sheds water initially ......... a family on TV this week were batch cooking on a Sunday from 7.00 a.m.: all day. Cooking, cooling, storing so that they ate the same amount each day of a varied diet. DH batch cooks chicken curry and mince mix with lots of veg for the freezer 4 when we are home later than planned so that we don't eat stuff .... not that we have much stuff in the house other than chocolate and it would take a brave person to separate me from that ;)
In addition to what I mentioned above we have various types of packet crisps; occasionally tea-cakes/scones for picnics; bread/rolls for picnics; Maltesers are my current weakness ::) and himself is on fresh figs/dried fruits ........ we eat bananas daily. We use butter on sweet corn, baked spuds and toast otherwise it's olive oil poured over as a dressing or for cooking. Lots of ginger, garlic, black pepper and salt. Not many tinned fish/meats though we have them to hand.
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Well Tracy,after saying that i am on the Keto diet,it is supposed to be good for Diebetes and pre diabetics, which i am
I have put quite a lot of weight on, [for me] i usually struggle to gain weight, and last summer was trying everything to put weight on, but my daughter started the Keto diet and has lost 3ib since Sunday,the best of it is you can eat a lot, but no bread,potato's and sugar, and milk, cream in your coffee,
Will give it a try, but not sure how it affects Cholesterol, i think its fine, but will check
That's sounds very healthy, I'm sure it will have a positive effect on your cholesterol. Well done you for the weight loss ! X
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CLKD, I made a batch of cheese scones yesterday 12 to be exact. Full of bloomin cheddar and butter not healthy at all really. I don't drink or smoke so my only passion is food. What can a gal do? 😮
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Hello again ladies.
Shadyglade - It's certainly possible to be a vegan and still have a very unhealthy diet, for example consuming lots of oil, even olive oil can be harmful.
Tracey E - There are some delicious recipes using only healthy ingredients and as you love to cook you would find them super easy to do.
Take care ladies.
K.
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Share the cheese scones >hands over plate< ;)
A little of what we fancy holds well. I 'go off' foods anyway so can eat cheese for weeks then suddenly I can't face it so my body stops eventually. I remember my Grandparents eating stodge but they walked every where and spent long days on the farm ...... exercise is as important as what we eat.
My Grans cooked with full fat milk and butter when they could afford it. Both lived until there were mid-80s but food was filling.
How is olive oil harmful :-\. Those on a Mediterraen diet are supposedly the healthiest in Europe ::)
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Hello again ladies.
All oils and fats have been shown to injure the endothelial cells that line our arteries leading to fatty deposits and clots over time. The reason the Mediterranean diet is healthier than the standard western diet is because all the vegetables consumed offset some of the damage. It is even better to avoid saturated animal fat and excessive use of oils if possible.
Anyone wanting to learn more about protecting our arterial health need only look online to see the wealth of data available. Fortunately we no longer have to rely on well meaning grannies for information, we have professionals and scientific data to learn from if we take the time to look.
Take care all.
K.
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I'll continue using olive oil well, will encourage my Chef [DH] to not worry too much. How much olive oil would one need to consume daily B4 it becomes a problem :-\. I used to bake with sunflower oil but it was a Phaff to measure it against butter/marg ::). Everything turned out OK except the shortbread, once it was so burnt that even the birds couldn't eat it :D
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Hello again ladies.
All oils and fats have been shown to injure the endothelial cells that line our arteries leading to fatty deposits and clots over time. The reason the Mediterranean diet is healthier than the standard western diet is because all the vegetables consumed offset some of the damage. It is even better to avoid saturated animal fat and excessive use of oils if possible.
Anyone wanting to learn more about protecting our arterial health need only look online to see the wealth of data available. Fortunately we no longer have to rely on well meaning grannies for information, we have professionals and scientific data to learn from if we take the time to look.
Take care all.
K.
The link between saturated fats and raised cholesterol is now being extensively challenged. I suggest taking a look at Dr. Malcolm Kendricks website, and in particular the ' Statin Nation' video, for an alternative point of view.
https://drmalcolmkendrick.org/2018/07/03/why-saturated-fat-cannot-raise-cholesterol-levels-ldl-levels/
https://www.bmj.com/content/347/bmj.f6340/rr/669222
https://www.bmj.com/content/361/bmj.k2139/rr-4
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/51/15/1111
This last link is particularly interesting.
Just in case you missed my links before. :)
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:thankyou:
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Hello again ladies.
Shadyglade - thanks for the reminder. I will definitely check out the links that you have posted as I find the whole subject very interesting and there is always something new to learn.
Wishing you well.
K.
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Hi Shadeglade, that info was really useful. I walk the dogs daily and have just started doing yoga again. Carbohydrate impact on cholesterol was particularly interesting. I guess it's a mediterranean diet for me, more nuts and olive oil. :)
Would fish oil (omega) be beneficial too? I eat salmon and mackerel twice weekly that good or bad?
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Hi Shadeglade, that info was really useful. I walk the dogs daily and have just started doing yoga again. Carbohydrate impact on cholesterol was particularly interesting. I guess it's a mediterranean diet for me, more nuts and olive oil. :)
Would fish oil (omega) be beneficial too? I eat salmon and mackerel twice weekly that good or bad?
I would say good to both. Most fish oils also give you Vitamin D but if you are already taking a supplement make sure you do not have too much. Read the labels as straight Omega 3 does not usually have Vitamin D, unlike fish oils.
Nothing is simple is it. ::)
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We eat trout every week. I love to catch mackerel and cook on the beach ;-)
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Hello again ladies.
Shadyglade - I've read your links and found them very interesting and some of what is said is echoed in the science I've seen.
I think I will continue with my whole foods, plant based diet for the foreseeable future as I've been eating this way for three years and all my results for cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI and blood sugar as well as inflammatory markers are well within the normal range so clearly it suits me. However I accept that it's important to remain open minded as new discoveries are made.
We live in an age where we can access the latest information on any subject that interests us and it would be a shame to miss out on such a great learning opportunity.
Wishing you well.
K.
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Check out Glasgow University Olive oil experiment ; 20 ml of normal olive oil - not extra virgin -
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Bump for Souris
Hurdity x
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Thank you Hurdity! :)
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Bump for Linda07
Hurdity x