High cholesterol

[Purplecatshopaholic]

Anyone know anything about it? I apparently have an issue with my cholesterol rising (my mum has high cholesterol), it was 7.5, it’s now over 10. Is this really bad? I don’t drink or smoke. Am a reasonable weight (5 foot, 6 and about 8 and a half stone). Take regular exercise, and don’t eat crap (don’t eat gluten, so no real sweet things). What do I do to lower it? Don’t want to take medication if at all possible!

[Oldmum55]

In your case it could be genetic, if so only medication like statins would help. I guess you'll be retested and then will have to follow your GP's advice.

[Bansku19]

I have high cholesterol and already did have high when I was 30 and slim. I started statins couple of months ago and now my cholesterol is normal. Probably genetic. My mum has this too but she has no plaque despite high cholesterol. She is 72.

[YeOldeTrout]

You need to know your LDL & HDL (bad & good cholesterol). Some people have lots of the good one (so total high is ok for them). What sort of test have you had, and what was the LDL?

[NannyR]

I would ask your gp about familial hypercholesterolemia. I have this, I was tested because we have a family history and my levels were very high, around 11 if I remember rightly. I take statins and it's now back down to normal. The consultant I saw said that if your cholesterol is high because of this condition, diet has no effect on reducing it, you need statins.

[Purplecatshopaholic]

Thanks guys. It is genetic apparently (and it’s the ‘bad’ one that’s high) so I am reluctantly coming to the conclusion I can’t do much about it, and I may have to take medication. Anyone on statins have side effects?

[Oldmum55]

Purplecat you'll just have to try them. There are more than one so if one don't suit you, the GP will prescribe something else. But I believe most people don't have side effects, despite what you might read in the papers.

[Bansku19]

I haven't got any side effects. My cholesterol went from 8 to 4 in couple of months.

[NannyR]

I've taken them for around twenty years with no side effects. My dad did have some side effects when he started taking them, the GP switched him to a different statin and he's been fine since.

[YeOldeTrout]

My stepmum swears that eating 99% vegan has made her cholesterol plummet. Anecdotal, but she feels very good about it.

*She still eats a little fish and doesn't worry about trace ingredients; a little honey would be ok, too.

[Bunnybaubles]

I found out I have familial hypercholesterolemia back in 2016. Nurse noticed during a routine BP check that I have always had high BP (wasnt over weight and only mid 30s). Turns out it's in the family on my DM's side but I'm the only thats been genetically tested.
Unfortunately, the men in our family who have it have all suffered a major cardiac event at the age of 37/38.
My 2 DC were tested and I passed it on to both so I had to have the chat with my DS and explain why he needs to make sure he never misses his statins and to be careful with his diet (he's 20 so I cant control his diet for him). We get tested together every 6 mo at the lipid clinic at hospital. My other 2 DC are too young to be tested.
You can maintain healthy cholesterol with statins. I was first put on Atorvastatin. I had awful side effects, my whole body was agony to move so I was put on Rosuvastatin instead which is a newer drug. I get no side effects. Both my DC are on Atorvastatin and dont get side effects.