lipid panel high LDL

[rainbow215]

Can High Cholestorol be caused by a Chiari Malformation?  I eat a low cholesterol diet yet I suddenly have high cholesterol. I have also developed abnormally low blood pressure and Raynaud's in the last year.

Thanks.

[selmaS]

  I hear u, and it is so odd, that u would have Raynauds and not EDS, but it is possible with POTS to have Raynauds and a few other conditions, even a thyroid issue could-

  Causes of secondary Raynaud's include:

Scleroderma. Raynaud's phenomenon occurs in the majority of people who have scleroderma — a rare disease that leads to hardening and scarring of the skin.

Lupus. Raynaud's is also a common problem for people with lupus erythematosus — an autoimmune disease that can affect many parts of your body, including your skin, joints, organs and blood vessels.

Rheumatoid arthritis. Raynaud's may be an initial sign of rheumatoid arthritis — an inflammatory condition causing pain and stiffness in the joints, often including the hands and feet.

Sjogren's syndrome. Raynaud's phenomenon can also occur in people who have Sjogren's syndrome — an autoimmune disorder that may accompany scleroderma, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

Diseases of the arteries. Raynaud's phenomenon can be associated with various diseases that affect arteries, such as atherosclerosis, which is the gradual buildup of plaques in blood vessels that feed the heart (coronary arteries), or Buerger's disease, a disorder in which the blood vessels of the hands and feet become inflamed. Primary pulmonary hypertension, a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries of the lungs, can be linked to Raynaud's.

Carpal tunnel syndrome. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in your wrist that protects a major nerve to your hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which pressure is put on this nerve, producing numbness and pain in the affected hand. The affected hand may become more susceptible to cold temperatures and episodes of Raynaud's.
Injury due to overuse. Raynaud's can also be caused by repetitive injuries that damage nerves serving blood vessels in the hands and feet. Some people who type or play the piano vigorously or for long periods of time may be susceptible to Raynaud's. Workers who operate vibrating tools can develop a type of Raynaud's phenomenon called vibration white finger.

Smoking. Smoking constricts blood vessels and is a potential cause of Raynaud's.

Injuries. Prior injuries to the hands or feet, such as wrist fracture, surgery or frostbite, can lead to Raynaud's phenomenon.

Certain medications. Some drugs — including beta blockers, which are used to treat high blood pressure; migraine medications that contain ergotamine; medications containing estrogen; certain chemotherapy agents; and drugs that cause blood vessels to narrow, such as some over-the-counter (OTC) cold medications — have been linked to Raynaud's.
Chemical exposure. People exposed to vinyl chloride, such as those who work in the plastics industry, may develop an illness similar to scleroderma. Raynaud's can be a part of that illness.
Other causes. Raynaud's has also been linked to thyroid gland disorders.

[jenshead]

No EDS, confirmed by NS.  

I'm not concerned so much with treatment as I am with understanding how all of this fits together.

[selmaS]

  From what I understand neuro issues are diff to treat medically, they try, but not all meds will be able to work and it all depends on the individual as well.

Were u dx'd with EDS?

  "selma"

[jenshead]

One other thing.  Selma, tell me if you know anything about this.  I was googling stuff about Raynaud's thinking maybe I was having side effects from a medication.  I am on a medicine that is used to treat Raynaud's! Atacand.  Started it somewhat recently.  So it seems weird that I could have symptoms.

[jenshead]

This is all so weird.  I have high LDL and my fingers just started turning blue and purple recently!  Seems to not just be temp related...possibly stress, possibly random.  Hasn't been going on long enough to judge.  

I'm overweight, so on one hand the high LDL isn't shocking, but on the other...I eat decently.  I take vit D and magnesium and the colorful fingers started after I'd been on that for a while.  Waiting on the rest of my bloodwork.  Will let you know if I find out anything interesting.

[selmaS]

  I forgot to add that we need to increase our exercise which can also have an affect...chiari does slow us all down and we are not as active as we need to be to help with the cholesterol levels....

  See our Wednesday Weight Watch thread for the exercises we are doing for those with limitations, the exercises are not all for muscle tone for for brain function as well...so do try them starting at the beginning and slowly work ur way down....

[selmaS]

  Hi...I too am having this issue in fact mine fluxuates up and down...with no change to diet and I am very careful in what I eat.....I also have low BP and Raynauds...the Raynauds is a symptom of Ehlers-danlos* for me..

I really believe that it can be a combo of things.....since I have EDS* I have a mal absorption problem which may feed into the High LDL....

I am trying to correct this by adding magnesium to my diet to allow my body to absorb the vitamin D...both of which should help with the Cholesterol.

Do talk to ur Dr to get tested for all related issues as we can develop auto immune thyroid issues as well as connective tissue disorders.....

Chiari can affect ur overall health, so we have to look at everything, but not always assume it is chiari, but it may be related in some way......

  "selma"