Hight cholesterol

[vlprint]

Hi there,

My latest cholesterol test was total chol. 205,   triglyceride 114,   LdL  109,  HdL  73  2.8% Chol/HDL

I know the numbers are good except for that hight 205..My dr. thinks thats OK.  I'm not sure as it went up 30 points since last year.  Any advice.  Thanks.

[Douglas Bogart, MD]

A low fat diet is a starting point with a good exercise program.  Supplements that may help include plant stanols or sterols (margarines such as Benecol or Take Control contain these ingredients), red yeast rice and fish oil (especially if your triglycerides are elevated).  Also, an increase in the fiber content of your diet will help to lower your total cholesterol (high fiber cereals, beans, fruits, etc).  You may want to refer to the American Heart Association "No Fad Diet" for more specific information on diet.

[Darcy Green Conaway, MD]

205 is a little high and I would recommend a low fat, heart healthy diet such as the mediterranean diet. If it went up 30 points then it sounds likely to be dietary changes. Luckily, your HDL is very high. All-in-all, this is a pretty good lipid panel if you don't have known coronary disease.

[Mel343]

I have been diagnosed with high cholesterol the doc put me on Vytorin samples for a month it seemed to agree till I took it for 2 months, got flu like symptoms, then he put me on Crestor samples for a month again the bad side effects came 2 months after I took them aching muscles, coughing, tightness to where nothing would come up when I coughed..... this all scared me and I chave not called him I really don't want to go any other meds for this, is there any alternative for this.??? I am really sensitive to allot of meds.

Thank You

[vlprint]

I already am on the Mediterranean Diet (EV olive oil, flaxseed, fish oil or salmon, no frying , pomegrante juice, oatmeal, veggies, salads) I cheat a little with ice cream, but I am at a loss as to what to do.  I also walk and do pilates.  This is why I am a little discouraged.