Suddenly have high cholesterol

[HighCholesterolHorror]

I had a shock this week because I have a long term health issue where I have regular blood tests.

The clinic gave me a cholesterol test as well (without asking or telling me which seems a bit odd).

I was then sent a text out of the blue telling me I have high cholesterol and need to try to reduce it through diet. Has anyone been through this and have any advice on what changes worked for them?

Bump

It’s pretty bad you were informed of this with a text. I’d contact your surgery and ask for an appointment with a nurse to discuss fully. And get a BP check while you’re there as the two sometimes go hand in hand. The British Heart Foundation has a fab section on their website about diet and cholesterol which would be worth checking out.

It’s very easily done for your cholesterol to creep up - I received the same message a few years ago and was able to get it back under control by making dietary changes (cut out all junk food) and by introducing regular exercise. It’s definitely possible.

I have this with an underactive thyroid - it shocked me at first as I am a super food super foody!

However it's the HDL ratio that is more important than cholesterol result alone.

Mine shot up when I had glandular fever. I made a few changes to my diet but not much and it settled back down to normal quite quickly

How old are you? I have high cholesterol from a very young age but it's hereditary and due to a faulty gene. All I can do is keep an eye on it ore-menopause and stay as healthy as I can.

Thanks so much for all your replies. Has just made me feel less alone and panicky.

I developed high cholesterol from one of the medications I take…. It’s 6.5 up from 4 ….I asked for a dieticians referral…..I will be tested again in 6 months…..I started on daily plant stenol drinks ( like th probiotic drinks but for lowering cholesterol)….,.Aldi do a pack of 8 for around 2.60? ….overnight oats for breakfast….. salmon twice a week….mackerel twice a week….chickpeas, lentils …..benevolent spread…..brown pasta and rice….whole meal bread…..completely cut out cheese, buTter ….any sweet stuff and alcohol…..it’s pretty boring but I want to do everything I can to bring it down….statins or their equivalent are going to be a last resort

my BP is not high. 110/70

@Bella8209 Thank you so much. I agree it’s really odd and even more so because some of the tests I’m actually supposed to have weren’t done but this extra tests and others were added without any notice. The BHF website is a very good idea. Thank you! I rang up to query and the receptionist didn’t seem to think there would be any follow up until a repeat test in a year. They haven’t checked or asked to check my blood pressure or BMI, which I would have thought would be relevant.

@Vallmo47 thanks so much for telling me your story and I’m really glad to hear you managed to bring it back down. Really reassuring to hear

@dairyfairy21 I also have interactive thyroid which is one of the health conditions I am monitored for. I was so shocked too!

I asked about HDL/LDL but they didn’t seem to have measured that.

@Muchtoomuchtodo I’m so glad yours went back down when you were better.

It sounds like they’ve made an error when requesting your bloods. However, I suppose it’s good to know about your cholesterol too. Maybe make an appt to get your proper bloods checked and query it with the nurse when you’re there?

@DelilahBucket I’m really sorry sorry to hear you are impacted by this. I’m about to turn 50 in a few weeks so I guess I’m possibly at an age where this kind of thing can happen

@Kitkat1523 those sound like really good ideas! Thank you! Receptionist who gave me results when I called said boundary high to normal is 6, but when I looked on the internet it said 5. Mine is 6 and text said high. I also had elevated triglycerides

@Bella8209 you might be right! I’m not sure they were that keen to give me an appointment though! I have a disabled child and need to stay healthy as long as possible to care for him. I do wonder if this is partly that a lot of stress recently has made me eat less well than usual and it’s all mounted up.

I forgot to mention they also told me they’ve tested me before for cholesterol without asking/telling me and in mid 2023 it was normal, so that’s at least one comfort that it wasn’t high for a long time hopefully.

You're lucky they tested your cholesterol, you should have it checked regularly

Mine is 6 but when I was morbidly obese the ratio was 6.2, Ive lost a lot of weight and now its 4.6, I need to get it under 4. I dont mind the full figure being 6, its the ratio I need to get down.

6 is too high….mine went from 4 to 5 after 1 year of medication….now it’s 6.5….I need to get a grip on it….I’m 59….how old are you OP?
the dietician said plant stenol drinks don’t work for everyone….but when they do work they can make a considerable difference….but when you stop your cholesterol will creep up again….so potential to be on them forever ( not that that is a biggie) ……dieticians said my good choleSterol was fine ( better than fine) ….so it’s all about my bad cholesterol

Unless its a fasting test it means diddly squat tbh

GP's get extra funding for all patients they are treating for high cholesterol. Our surgery, you cant get to see a doctor unless you ring at 8:30, and tell them its an emergency, when you may get a telephone call from the GP ( Homebargains anyone? ) before they decide you can go in and be seen

However, those of us who get MOT's due to our age, are badgered to go in monthly for blood tests for this that and the other and vaccinations for this that and the other - because its a nurse led innovative, and secondly they get funded to the hilt

I have raised cholesterol. They are pressurising me to go on statins, only I have an extremely clean diet - ie 80/20 if that, low fat , high fibre etc etc etc, but Im an alcoholic . Cant get treatment for that but whilst Im killing my liver they will push me to take statins

Im an alki, yet Im high functioning. I keep a job, care for elderly mother, look after grandkids, run a home, also keep extremely fit. I live a pretty active manic life as much as we all do but they have no interest in getting me the support I need to keep off the booze but will supply me statins when Im going to die of liver failure before heart failure !!

If you mean underactive, then there's quite a bit of research showing a connection between an underactive thyroid and higher than normal LDL cholesterol. I know my cholesterol registered as high at a time when I wasn't quite as disciplined at remembering to take my levo.

@suki1964 thanks for all your advice. I’m so sorry to hear about the lack of help on the alcohol side. It’s awful that you aren’t getting anything to help you.

Why? It is the most efficient way to be informed.

The OP can just read what the NSH website says about lowering cholesterol. She doesn't need to see a nurse.

@DogInATent omg I hadn’t thought of this. I’ve been through an awful awful time connected to my child’s special education and have had to have a court case to get him the help he was supposed to be having. I definitely haven’t eaten, slept well or taken my thyroxine as well in the last 6 months.

My cholesterol shot up during peri although it has now been diagnosed as familial