Menopause and cholesterol.

[Stroopwaffels]

Isn't meno just the gift that keeps on giving. Saw the GP a couple of week ago about menopause, hair loss and other stuff and she did a whole heap of bloods. Everything fine except cholesterol which is 7.9 which is too high.

She wanted me to start on a statin, but agreed that we'd give it three months and i'd try and overhaul my diet, exercise a bit more and see where we are then. So I have been cutting out dairy, red meat and all the nice stuff like cakes and biscuits, eating porridge and oily fish. I know I'm overweight (well let's be honest, obese) and I know that I need to be closer to 70 kg than 80kg. I also have an underactive thyroid which although medicated contributes to cholesterol issues, and now I have just had a newsletter from the Balance app saying that menopause can significantly raise levels too and that often diet/exercise isn't enough.

Will continue with lifestyle changes but it's worrying.

Oh yes, I'm in the same boat only add to that sky high blood pressure , and it's all scaring me...

I'm 9 stone and going through peri. I don't eat a lot of fatty food but doc says my cholesterol is high.
I've just bought Cholesterol Complex from Hey Nutrition. I have no idea if they'll work but worth a go.

There is so much conflicting advice about cholesterol. Points in my favour is that I don't smoke and have never smoked, and since menopause have pretty much stopped drinking alcohol too. My blood pressure is fine too. Just the cholesterol.

But i'm 2kg down in a fortnight which is not bad.

It's crazy what happens to us. There always seems to be another symptom just around the corner.
I don't drink either as I've never enjoyed the taste of alcohol.

And you know @funbags3 , knowledge is power. My GP only picked up on the cholesterol as I have xanthelasma marks under my eyes which apparently is a classic sign of high cholesterol. I have had these around 3 years and just put it down to ageing. Haven't actually seen a GP face to face for so long over Covid, everything is done online. I wouldn't have thought to query the marks under my eyes at all, so I am grateful to the GP for picking up on it and testing my cholesterol so I know the situation and can make changes.

I am not averse to taking statins but also feel like i'm turning into my mother with the huge range of tablets she takes each day.

I also wonder how many things were missed or are being missed because of lack of face to face appointments.

Exercise is going to be your friend here. At least 30mins a day of very brisk walking.
And increasing fibre through fruit, veg and whole grains. The fibre actually 'pulls' the fat from the digestive system.

Yes I have been having overnight oats or porridge for breakfast. not a fan, but needs must.

Hello op. Yes. Mine was always a bit high, at 5.5 to 6.5 but went higher since peri menopause. It went up to 7.9-8. Statins sorted it (10mg). It's within normal range now.

Hi
Understand this so well. I was also diagnosed with high Chol.... and put on statins. But still feel awful. Going through full blown Meno.. since a Hysto..... years ago. Taking anti depre.... at the moment but nothing works. The mood swings, memory loss, which I hate (can tell you what I did 10 years ago, but 10 mins ago not a clue!!) Causing so many problems. I find walking helps and quite reading alone.

Hi op mine is high too. On statins. Hopefully will bring it down. Im 50. Find I tend to snack more so have to watch it. My neighbour thinks its high during menopause years

Just reporting back. I had another blood test last week three months after the first, and an appointment with the GP this afternoon to discuss. My total cholesterol level is now 5, which is normal. GP said the change in three months was "remarkable" and offered me a sticker.

I have overhauled my diet - no red meat, no pastries, no cheese, no full fat dairy, no booze. Lots of salmon/mackerel and avocados. Limiting fried foods, cake, chocolate. Trying to do a sort of intermittent fasting - nothing in the morning other than coffee, then a bowl of overnight oats made with fat free yoghurt between 12 and 1. Dinner at normal time, trying not to snack in the evenings. Have also been having one of the daily benecol style cholesterol reducing yoghurt drinks. Have dropped 20 lbs in 3 months and my size 16 jeans are now too big.

Very grateful to the GP for picking up on the marks under my eyes which are a high cholesterol indicator and ordering the blood tests.

That's amazing well done you!

Similar situation. I bought crumpets yesterday, dying to have them for breakfast but MUST have my porridge. I have jumbo oats, much nicer than ordinary, and a thinly sliced apple in it. Game changer. I'm actually starting to enjoy it, apart from today when the crumpets are calling!

Well done by the way. I know how hard it is - sounds like you're totally on it.

Over the months I've refined my overnight oats recipe. Yes I use the jumbo oats, fat free or low fat natural or Greek yoghurt (the cheapie Asda smartprice is fine), a wee splash of semi skimmed milk or oat milk if there is any left from DD's coffee. Then blueberries, raspberries, small quantity of nuts (usually flaked almonds), squirt of golden syrup or honey for sweetness. I have tried some of the other ideas online by stirring in a spoon of peanut butter, stewed apple, raisins, strawberries but not very keen. It's just a case of finding the combination which is best for you.