Wellness

[Tinkrbl44]

Okay, this is a bit of a mystery to me, and realize I need more information.

Six months ago my PCP said my cholesterol levels went up 3 points, this year, and 3 points last year.  

She made dietary recs and I did a couple things and omitted a few things, and am taking Lessman's Cholestacare.

Got blood tests the other day, and figured, at the worst, there would be no change.

My numbers WENT UP!  

I see my doc next week, but in the meantime, I'm thinking perhaps there's something about this I don't understand and want to re-visit the hows and whys of HDL, LDL, and whatnot.  

Can you recommend a basic resource that will explain all this like I am FIVE YEARS OLD?   LOL

Clearly, I'm missing something here ........ TIA .......    

[Q-Checker]

If your doctor did not recommend Cholestacare, stop taking it until you ask his advice about this or any non physician recommended supplements. Good luck with bringing your cholesterol down!

[skatting44]

    More exercise, just walk  3 times a week or more.

   Follow dietary recs by Doctor or nutritionist.

  Ask abyt your HDL  & LDL  levels  and Triglycerides

[SilleeMee]

If you've done all that and your cholesterol is higher then it could be genetic, a lack of physical activity or other factors such as medication that raises cholesterol levels. In any case the conversation about the issue would be best with your doctor and have it explained there.

[Neetgal2]

I am 73 and had problems for years, not too high, but bad enough.

Once I took more time with my diet and exercised faithfully because of hip and knees my levels came down to normal.  I barely eat red meat or fried foods.  I am careful in my cooking with certain oils and butters and read package labels.  If I was not retired I doubt I would have reached this point of being able to take better care of myself.

My doctor gave me a diet to follow and some advice but also offered a nutritionist.  He also told me I should be able to figure this out!  I have gone to this doctor for 8 years, the prior doctor just would prescribe meds.  I only started with a cardiologist in the last 8 years.

[Shelbelle]

I am 72 now, I took and relied on CholestaCare for 20 years, it did help me to stay in a fairly decent normal range. but last year mine also shot up over the borderline limit. I have never wanted to take a statin, I always had negative feelings about them, so my doc talked me into trying RX, Zetia, a non statin, it is not as potent as a statin but has brought me down enough to where my doc is totally satisfied and I stay on it. I ditched the CholestaCare. 

[juanitalinda]

@Tinkrbl44 

All of that is good advice.  I do want to add that you can exercise and eat well and things might get worse.  

Don't blame yourself if that happens.    And don't let others blame you for not living 'healthy' enough.  

[jlkz]

@Tinkrbl44 

It's a very tricky subject !!!  When DH started with 6 stents, he had been jogging several times a week, eating " decently " and had given up smoking 16 years prior to the stents.

The cardiologist didn't want to give him meds so he agreed to cook low fat ( he did and still does ) majority of the meals.  Next visit:  his cholesterol had gone up significantly so now the statins were added.

Genetics played a huge role for him.  Now he stays in the suggested range and because of the Afib and congestive heart issues, is now on additional meds that require strict attention to sodium.

Get a list of the different additives to foods and condiments and you will be amazed at what lurks inside !  One tip he has: Swiss Cheese has the lowest (?) amount of cholesterol.

[KittySoftPaws]

My cholesterol is hereditary and has been on the high side for years. I've been told that diet will only control it around 10%. My Doctor told me that it really only becomes an issue when there is inflammation in the body, which my bloodwork showed there is none. Cholesterol in and of itself is essential in the body and it is no longer to me as much of an issue with what I now know. Traditionally it was believed that higher cholesterol numbers were dangerous when now they find the lower numbers put people at more of a risk. 

[Shelbelle]

My doc was also very surprised when mine shot up, she also blamed it on genetics.