Cholesterol

[DebsyDoo]

Got my result back at the Doc's today . . . .

Cholesterol level of 11 !!!!!

Oooer, now I'm worried -

Anyone know of somebody with a higher No ?
(who's still alive !)

[Velvetee]

I've never heard of anyone with a level of 11. Why is it so high?

I was worried about mine, which is 7.8.

[DebsyDoo]

Mine was 7.9 last time it was checked !

It's a combination of years of reckless abanon (which has now caught up with me) & inherited genes !!

(I believe)

[Velvetee]

Mine is inherited too, even at my fittest, it's still high. I don't want to take Statins because of the side effects, so what's a girl to do eh!

[Mamyalynne]

mines 7.5 and she won`t give me statins till i`m a year older?? all done by tick boxes it seems. I thought they were very side effect free?

[DebsyDoo]

I have to take tablets now - and been told to abstain from alcohol !!!

What a drag !

By the way, the Doc also said "you just don't see people with this level" (which I took to mean WALKING AROUND !!)

That's what's worried me !

[Ice.Maiden]

Very sensible, V.
Cholesterol levels can be brought down naturally - no alcohol, no smoking, no "wrong food" and some good exercise. It's worth the sacrifice, rather than end up with something dreadful that high cholesterol levels can bring about.

[Velvetee]

Thing is, I've never been a drinker, never smoked and worked out 4 times per week up until recently, so it's just an unlucky hand that I've been dealt.

[Ice.Maiden]

That's bad luck, Velvetee, but do you drink much? Doubt you do, atm, whatever - and hope you're keeping alright.

[DebsyDoo]

I agree V, you have been unlucky.

Mine is a lot my own fault, so now I have to deal with the consequences of my past activities !

Hey Icey - what excersises do you think I could do in a truck ? (serious question !)

[Ice.Maiden]

You'd have to wait until you got OUT of the truck DD - and then go for a sprint or three. It's very difficult, isn't it? The thing is, using statins can cause muscle weakness through cellular breakdown, raised liver enzymes, kidney failure, memory loss, aches and pains and the possibility of neurological problems. It's hard to know which is te worst - the side effects, or having high cholesterol levels.

[mrs.chappie]

Bez, can you remember what your cholesterol level was?

Mine's high and the Doc told me I was a borderline case for needing statins. He told me to read up on the pro's and cons, and decide for myself, whether to take statins or not.

I just can't decide what to do.

{;O(

[jacey]

Hi I don't want to frighten you BUT it's best to know these things. I had a heart attack when I was 40. My cholesterol was 7 something. and the cardiologist said I was a walking time bomb. I have been on Atorvastatins since (amongst other things) and not had a high reading since. I did have to have an angioplasty too. So don't dismiss it please. :-)

[DebsyDoo]

Good luck with that Bez - I've got to alter my whole lifestyle !

Yeah Icey, but I already have most of those things anyway, the aches & pains & memory loss - think it's something to do with my age !!

[mrs.chappie]

Jacey, your post has worried me, 'cos I'm sure the Doc said mine was 7.3. He asked me to try very hard to get it down naturally with diet and life-style changes, but I just don't know if I can.

[Ice.Maiden]

Bless you hun. Just do what you think's best for you. there's always a risk with taking anything, but go by what your doctor advises. x

[jacey]

Well. I know it's scary and a lot of ppl are anti the statins but I've had no probs with them just have a blood test every year, to check all's ok and I'll be honest I do cheat with the diet but it never affects the readings.

[DebsyDoo]

Yeah Jacey, he said I was on "the verge of a major event"
(strange way to say I could drop down dead at any time !)

[mrs.chappie]

Bez, the Doc told me to stick to everything below 5% fat. Over 5%, and I'm not supposed to have it. It's very hard to do though.