Cholesterol Levels

[ChatterAlly]

My doctor's office called yesterday afternoon to give me the results of my blood work.  Seems my triglycerides were so high they weren't able to measure my bad cholesterol.  My total cholesterol was over 2,250.  That seems impossible, but that's what they told me.  He called out Tricor 145 mg for me to start taking.  Anyone else ever hear about levels that high?

Thanks, Ally

[ed34]

"p.s., My Maternal Grandmother's cholesterol is 700-800 mg/dL.  She's 97 :-)  She's from an area in Italy that is known to have hyper-cholesterol but very little CVD."

Are they all on statins there? or is this a new major target for the drug companies :)
What a great age, 97, My Grandmothers made it to 92 and 93. Both were still able to ride a bike at 90.

[Flycaster305]

I'd also ask for a second test.  Hopefully you are taking a statin and importantly a high quality fish oil supplement, 81mg aspirin and Plavix.  Omega 3 fish oils lower your Trigs.  Lovaza (Lovasa?) is a high end product, but very expensive.  I'd look for a fish oil that uses Mackeral and Sardines.  Many of the Salmon oil supplements use farmed salmon, and they aren't a quality product at all  Are you diabetic?  

I hope you let us know what you find out and how this is treated.

[ChatterAlly]

Wow!  I am reading an article now.  Great reading.  Thanks so much for this.....Ally †

[itdood]

You can check for something called "Arcus senilis" which is a white or gray ring around the cornea of your eyes.  If you do a google image search you'll see what it looks like.  It's harmless but can indicate familial hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol).  Best of luck.

[ChatterAlly]

Thanks for responding.  I have found this does happen.  It's an extreme case, thus the phone call from the doctor yesterday.  This will indeed bring about many lifestyle changes for me.  This has come on the heels of me losing half the vision in my right eye last month because of plaque in the artery to the retina.  I want to hang around long enough to raise my 3 grandchildren, so man lifestyle changes are being made by me now!

Thanks, Ally

[itdood]

p.s., My Maternal Grandmother's cholesterol is 700-800 mg/dL.  She's 97 :-)  She's from an area in Italy that is known to have hyper-cholesterol but very little CVD.

[itdood]

It's a little more common than you would think.  Total Chol and/or Trigs around 3500 mg/dL seem to be the highest recordings I could find.

I'd ask for another test to make sure the sample wasn't contaminated or some other mistake occurred before I started treatment for it.

[ChatterAlly]

I know!  I was in shock and am still walking in a cloud, but that's what they said.  That's why they called me until they reached me.  That's why they faxed a diet to me and called out the medicines.  My triglycerides are over 2,200.  I am thinking of having them fax the report to me, because everyone I talk to says the same thing.  I am so upset by this.  What does this say about my liver function?

Thanks, Ally

[ireneo]

Never heard of such a thing. 200's, even 300's - yes. I'd ask for a retest. Something's not right. You'd be in the book of world records.