High cholesterol despite change in diet

[Lovemusic33]

Just had my blood test resaults back and my cholesterol is quite high. I asked for it to be tested as when it was tested a couple of years ago it was quite high but at the time I was overweight and my diet wasn't great. I am now a size 10, I go to the gym most days and I eat healthier (less fat and plenty of fruit and veg). So I was hoping my cholesterol would be lower.

Both my parents have high cholesterol and have been told that some people just do and it's hard to lower it. So is that possible? If I can't lower it are there not long term risks?

But the OP has already said she has made changes and eats healthier than she was. I don’t think there is a 20% leeway left!

See your GP

Make sure that you find out what propertion of your total cholesterol is the good/protective HDL. That ratio is important in assessing any risk to your health - don't just look at the total.

We have cholesterol all wrong. Information on cholesterol is based on flawed science, and continued because there is money to be made by thencompanies that make and sell statins.

Have a look at this

There is more chance of death for women with low cholesterol than high.

The great cholesterol con is a good book, and written by a doctor and shows evidence of how information was misrepresented.

I can't really eat much healthier than I do unless I cut out my rare treats. My average day consists of:

Breakfast - Small bowl of porridge or protein shake.
Snack -apple or banana. ( I go to the gym in the mornings so need a snack)
Lunch - chicken salad or veg soup.
Dinner - fish, potatoes and veg.
Evening - sometimes a fun size chocolate bar or some grapes.

I don't drink tea or coffee, mainly drink water or sugar free squash. I don't smoke or drink and I go to the gym up to 5 times a week. I'm very active, walk a lot and work. I'm not overweight.

So I'm pretty sure it's not diet related and there's not really many changes I can make to my diet unless I live on salad .

Another article here about women and statins.

My husbands is 7.2 and his GP said adjust your diet where possible, drink less and exercise regularly.

Statins were mentioned but I had the feeling GP wasn’t that keen on that route.

Polly I think Statins are only used if a change in diet doesn't help. I'm not sure if my cholesterol is high enough to have statins but change in diet hasn't made any difference. I will talk to my GP and see what he suggests.

I take statins for inherited high cholesterol. Mine was 9 before statins and no amount of porridge, blueberries, apples, exercise etc would lower it. It is now down to 3.8 at my last check. I see a consultant every year for a review. From my experience, medical practitioners see statins as a last resort so that may be why your GP is not too bothered as you are within a healthy weight range so perhaps no other risks. However definitely have your chest pains checked out. As a side note, there are implications with statins and getting pregnant - I have been advised to come off them at least 6 months before trying for a baby.

Cloud - that is very interesting regarding women and statins. I had read that about cholesterol but had forgotten and got caught up in the heart attach risk NHS style.

CloudPerson talks a lot of sense. Cholesterol isn't the baddie we are led to believe, many diabetics who have gone down the Low Carb High Fat route have actually seen their cholesterol levels improve despite eating more fat. It's the ratios which are more important than the total, and triglycerides should be low. The Pharma industry is responsible for many of the studies undertaken, so somewhat biased, they have a big financial interest in the prescribing of statins, and GPs are incentivised to prescribe.