I was put on statins earlier this year, but refused to take them until a couple of months ago, as I was scared.
Before taking statins my numbers were;
Total serum cholesterol 6.4 (a year before was 7.1).
HDL 1.9
LDL 3.6
Cholesterol/HDL ratio 3.4
Triglycerides 2
Serum non HDL 4.5 (was 5.1 a year before)
I was persuaded to take 20mg Atorvastatin.
After a month of taking it my levels were checked again and were as follows;
Total serum cholesterol 4.7
HDL 2
LDL 1.9
Cholesterol/HDL ratio 2.4
Triglycerides 1.8
Serum non HDL 2.7
I had a phone call from the surgery this week, to tell me I now need to take 80mg of Atorvastatin, as my non HDL needs to be below 2.5 as I'm in serious danger of heart attacks or strokes.
I'm really, really confused. My non HDL is the lowest it has EVER been, even when I was younger and physically fitter.
The person was nice, but spoke as if I was an idiot (they talked about 'bad' cholesterol).
I'm 54. When my levels dropped before I started statins, it was due to me really improving my nutrition and fitness. That wasn't enough, so I was forced to take them.
I have physical disabilities. I have an ankle problem, caused by a malunion of the tibia following a spiral fracture. I had a fusion for talonavicular arthritis and I was supposed to have an osteotomy as well. I've been walking with a stick since the surgery, due to more pain and instability. The surgeon wanted to do more surgery, but I discharged myself, as the osteotomy wasn't performed when I was told it would be, and it meant more surgery. I now have a bad knee and hip on the opposite side and my 'bad' leg is several inches smaller than my 'good' one.
I also have MH problems (bipolar, GAD and personality disorders. These and my physical disability has now led to me being unable to leave the house unless someone is with me. I have also slumped into depression, that I cannot shake, so unfortunately, my eating and any energy for exercise has evaporated.
But back to the cholesterol - having looked on BHF site, it appears that my latest lipid results are well within the levels they suggest.
I've been told that my non HDL cholesterol must be under 2.5 and 2.7 is way too high, but according to BHF it should be below 4.
They've agreed to retest in a couple of months, but I'm confused by the conflicting levels that it should be.