Nearly 60 and...

[JacknDiane]

Just found out I have raised cholesterol. Will see gp soon, might need medication. Will try my best to make lifestyle changes too.
But its made me feel im getting old.

@JacknDiane

High cholesterol is not age related though, you can get it at any age, so why does it make you feel 'old?'

I was diagnosed with high cholesterol after a routine blood test. GP gave me 3 months to reduce it with lifestyle changes, which brought it down a bit but not enough, so I went on statins. GP said diet can only change cholesterol by a maximum of around 20 % anyway. And some research is saying that a wider usage of statins could be beneficial

Read up on it. See the whole picture such as the ratios and the triglyceride levels. That gives a more accurate picture of what's going on than total cholesterol alone.

Ratio of Total to HDL shows overall risk
Ratio of Triglyceride to HDL is a marker of insulin resistance

Q risk score is important to factor in aswell, can be done online.

So it's not just HDL and LDL on its own that indicates risk. Statins imv are overprescribed for many people. Some definitely need them, others might not. Pharma companies want us to panic!

I asked for a blood test at 58, as I haven't had one for many years, haven't seen a GP at 15+. I asked for a blood test as both my parents had/have high cholesterol. It's at the high end of normal, but the test did show I was prediabetic. I've made changes, nothing major, but they've made can difference and I feel healthier and am the fittest I've ever been - levels at high end if normal now, but I'm out of prediabetic range and cholesterol levels down a bit.

Posting this to hopefully encourage others they can make a difference.

@BreakingBroken did you have other conditions? I didn’t think GPs do it unless you have 4 other conditions.

@PrizedPickledPopcorn I'm in Canada and it wasn't an issue.
3 month prescription and i guess further bloodwork to see if it's helped.

Are you taking any other medication OP? My DH was told he had high cholesterol when he was taking citalopram. When he stopped taking it his cholesterol level returned to normal.

My friend was told she had high cholesterol and asked for six months to try to bring it down herself before starting medication. She joined Slimming World, really changed how she ate as a result, lost three stone and when she went back to the GP her cholesterol level was within the acceptable band.

What’s wrong with statins. I take them, had no side effects apart from a dramatic lowering of cholesterol.

@VivaciousCurrentBun yes re hummus and other oils.
I am silly but I assumed humous was olive oil and actually a daily mail alerted alerted me to the fact it's rape seed in much of it except a few ones like wisrose organic !
So I but that now but it's all this hidden crap one may not think about...

I am 59, 60 this year. On HRT, which for me has been life changing.

I am getting older. I made the decision to stop colouring my hair yesterday, so have a way to go and will use sprays occasionally, during transition.

I purposely have taken steps to keep my cholesterol low and after one positive pre diabetic blood test made further changes. The next test 3 months later came back negative and also with further tests.

I exercise relative to my age, 10/15 mins a day. Weights, resistance bands and yoga. You can do it all at home through YouTube. Just keep it light.

OP, because of your cholesterol readings you are in your right’s to have periodical blood tests.
But do the hard work, get cholesterol down and embrace ageing.

A side note: when I met my husband, many years ago, his cholesterol was off the roof. He subsequently had a stroke. He has made a brilliant recovery, is on statins, blood thinners and other meds and supplements. I have enforced brilliant lifestyle changes on him and his cholesterol is normal and he has a really good quality of life.

@Iliketulips what small changes

@MaybeThisTimeILlbeLucky, “what small changes”

Today my 14 year old DGD told me about the most wonderful ice cream she had at the beach over the weekend that was “bigger than her head”. It sounded delicious.

I said I was jealous and asked her why despite my wish that I could have had one too, I wouldn’t, she said “because you are disciplined” and I said “when I was your age, I did, but at my age I can’t. Enjoy!”

Small changes!