HRT to lower cholesterol levels?

[Noosnom]

It looks like menopause is causing problems with my cholesterol levels. It's high despite having no possible lifestyle causes. Heart attacks run in the family so I need to nip this in the bud.

Has anyone else had success with HRT to get cholesterol levels to a normal level again? I've got a 50yr old health check this Friday but I will make a follow up appointment with a GP after that.

well mine has gone up since I started taking hrt. It is 6.9 now and a year ago before i started taking hrt it was about 5.6 and they were telling me to keep an eye on it.

My only risk for atherosclerosis is high cholesterol but the gp was acting like high cholesterol = atherolsclerosis.

I'm trying to organise a blood test for c-reactive protein, APo b, Apo A and ........ 'lap' as well, I can cut and paste it all in if you're interested but these tests will tell you if you're arteries have atherosclerosis.

My gp was surprisingly, what's the opposite of hollistic? she wanted me to go on statins when i don't smoke, my triglycerides are low, my bp is low, bmi is normal, hardly drink alcohol these days, no processed foods, meat only twice a week.

I was shocked there were doctors still so basic that they'd just say 'take a statin' to somebody as healthy as i am.

''Apolipoprotein A. This protein can help to lower your risk for cardiovascular disease

Apolipoprotein B. Elevated levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease Lipoprotein. Substances made of protein and fat that carry cholesterol through the bloodstream

C-reactive protein (CRP). A high level of CRP in the blood is a marker of inflammation. It can be caused by a wide variety of conditions, from infection to cancer. High CRP levels can also indicate that there is inflammation in the arteries of the heart, which can mean a higher risk of heart attack

Lp-PLA2 (LAC). This test measures the level of an enzyme in the blood which rises as the level of plaques rise. Rupture of these plaques may lead to heart attacks, strokes, and circulatory problems''

Thanks lady. That's really handy info.

I need to get the atherolsclerosis test I think.

My mum was ultra low risk to. And that ended in a heart attack and stent as one of her arteries was almost blocked. Her cholesterol levels had risen like mine.

@Noosnom Can you explain a bit more.

Just for info- why are you having your cholesterol checked when you're not quite 50? Is this through your GP and have you had regular chol checks?

No one will give you HRT as a prevention for high cholesterol. If you asked your GP for it for that reason, it is 99% likely to be 'no'. But if you said you have flushes, sweats, and other meno symptoms, then they would.

It's accepted now though that HRT used within 10 years of a final period will protect against CVD. This is partly because estrogen protects the arteries etc and stops them hardening.

High cholesterol can be inherited simply because your liver makes too much.
But diet and exercise can increase it or reduce it.
Have you made changes to your diet to see if that helps?

No one will give you HRT just for cholesterol. They'd offer you statins.

@LadyMuckRake Your GP is being quite proactive to offer statins. Some people have high cholesterol even though they have a very healthy lifestyle. It can be genetic but also your liver can produce too much cholesterol, no matter how much anyone tries lifestyle changes.

Is the HRT you're using tablet form or transdermal?
Some tablet forms can increase lipids, unfavourably.

Have a look at this, it explains what the cholesterol is doing and might give you some tips on lowering it.

The BHF has some helpful stuff too
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/risk-factors/high-cholesterol

jingling the blood test was for my 50yr old health check. Cholesterol was slightly high a year ago at a wellbeing check and it's higher now. And the previous year my optician flagged it up but the results were OK at that point.

With regards to my diet, lifestyle, exercise routine there isn't a single thing that can be improved. Because heart attacks run in the family I look after myself. I had a hysterectomy 15yrs ago and first went to the GP with menopause symptoms a decade ago, was dismissed and dismissed when I went back two years later.

HRT looks like a more beneficial medication than statins at this point.

I'm using a patch. Are you a doctor? I think it's laziness to recommend a statin to a slim, non-smoking, non-drinking woman with low BP and low triglycerides without offering a more thorough blood test first! I have to arrange this myself.

I've got a 50yr old health check this Friday but I will make a follow up appointment with a GP after that.

Sorry I misunderstood. I thought you meant that you had the health check this Friday (but you've already had the blood test?)

If you had a hysterectomy at 35 you should have been offered HRT. This is because even if your ovaries were left, they fail (on average) 2 years after a hysterectomy.

This means your risk of heart disease would increase from that point.

Can I suggest that you also insist on a bone density scan. Again, if you had menopausal symptoms at 40, you should have been put on HRT for bone (and heart) health. It's actually shocking your GP is so out of touch with medical guidance.

The current NICE guidance was published 9 years ago, so GPs should be up to date and aware of the risks of early menopause (before age 45.)

I'm sorry if I sound a bit stroppy but now that you've explained the whole history, it's a different story completely. I'm cross that you've been let down by the drs.

If your GP is still uncooperative, ask to be referred to a menopause specialist or if you can afford it, refer yourself.

If your GP won't offer more tests, would they refer you to a cardiologist? They can do far more than blood tests, including a heart scan etc etc. It seems a shame you need to pay for private blood tests when if you are healthy in other ways, your GP won't authorise more investigations.

Mine came down after I stopped taking HRT and took Magnesium supplements. I had to come off HRT due to ER+ breast cancer and take Anastrazole which really lowers the oestrogen further but can increase cholesterol significantly.
My cholesterol is monitored and although the magnesium brought it down slightly it was still over 5, but my HLP to LLP is good.
I have done a little research and lowering cholesterol is also good for cancer prevention but as a side effect of statins.
My risk score quite high enough for statins automatically but the pharmacist agreed with me re cancer findings so I now take a low dose.

jingling Thank you. I know I've been let down. They've recently changed the NHS website guidelines and added that menopause can happen early after a hysterectomy. It's maddening neither GP would believe me. It's part of the reason I've been ruthless at looking after myself.

I've had enough this time and will insist they take it seriously. I had an all clear DEXA scan about 5yrs ago when I was going to get a private one but another GP at the practice said I could have it on the NHS. I do eat dairy and do impact exercise so hopefully my bones are OK at this point.

Maddening.

Ask for another DEXA scan.

I have mine every 2 years (after a diagnosis of osteopenia many years ago.)
The NHS guidance on how often is different to guidance from private specialists (even those also working in the NHS) who usually suggest every 2 or 3 years.