Drastic increase of Cholesterol levels in a short period.

[kat1999]

Hello,
AS of February 2009, I was taking 2000mg of Niacin and 4 fishoils (1200mg each), per day to help my cholesteral.  At the time my total cholesteral was 204 (H) and Triglyceride was 128, VLDL 26, LDL 2, HDL 50, Ratio 3.5 (all were whitin range.
My TSH level was very low.  (I was on Thyroid med for many years. for the last 5 years, the Endo I was going to stopped looking at my TSH, and was only adjusting medication, to keep my Free T3 an and Free T4 whitin levels. In Feb 2009 my  thyroid med was reduced to half the dose to help elevate my TSH.
My next lab work was done on Aug 2009. The levels were drastically increased. to total chole. 244(H), TriG 168 (H), VLDL 34, LDL, 149 (H),  HDL 61, Ratio 4.0.
At the time I was having this is wierd shaking/bubbling/palpitations which we thought may be related to the ulcer issues I had in the past.  My doctor recommended to stop Niacin.  
The issue did not resolve.  The doctor requested a Halter monitor, which confirmed, palpitations and flutters.  So, my thyroid med was switched from armour to levoxyl and lowered even more.  
I had another lab work done in Jan 2010, levels were sky hight at total CH 305 (H), TriGl 206 (H), VLDL 41 (H), LDL 200 (H), HDL 64, and ratio of 4.8.
Then I was put on 40 mg of Simvastatin in Feb 2010.  The lab results after a short 3 weeks of the treatment drastically dropped to total ch of 164, and all the other values whitin range.
During the last 3 mos, I had a few muscle issues which came and went and I related them to possibly excercise mishab.  Until the pain was outrageous 3 weeks ago. I went to my doctor and we stopped the Simvastatin.  I am still in a lot of pain. I haven't been able to excecise the last few weeks. Not being able to excercise increase the possibility of the levels going even higher. I am so very scared of going back on another statin.  I read all the issues with statins.  I am specially affraid of developing Diabities, as my mother did in her 60's, and her life turned upside down and very short.
The side effects indicate permenant muscle damage, depression, even heart failure (heart muscle being affected as a side effect), along with lots of other side effect.
I like to try the Niacin again, but I don't know if it will help me now that my TSH levels are so much higher and within range. ( I was told that it was the main reason for the sudden initial jump in my results).
I like to know what your advice is on this issue.
Also, I am curious to know how long after stopping statins your lab results go back to normal, showing my true cholesterol level without the help of statins?  I am curious to know my current resultsare since having had my thyroid at its current levels for a few months.
I am very scared of my high levels, at the same time I am  affraid of what Statins may bring on me.

[linnil]

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found in all parts of the body. Your body makes some cholesterol, and some cholesterol comes from the food you eat.Your body needs a little bit of cholesterol to work properly. But too much cholesterol can clog your arteries and lead to heart disease. This article focuses on cholesterol and your diet.A total cholesterol test is a rough measure of all the cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood.Cholesterol is a soft, wax-like substance found in all parts of the body. Your body needs a little bit of cholesterol to work properly. But too much cholesterol can clog your arteries and lead to heart disease.Some cholesterol is considered "good" and some is considered "bad." Different blood tests are needed to individually measure each type of cholesterol.HDL stands for high density lipoprotein, a form of "good" cholesterol. Lipoproteins are proteins in the blood that move cholesterol, triglycerides, and other fats, called lipids, to various parts of the body.the blood test used to measure levels of HDL cholesterol in your blood.The LDL test measures how much low-density lipoprotein (LDL) you have in your blood. LDL is a type of cholesterol. Too much LDL in the blood can clog arteriesHigh cholesterol and other lipid disorders can be inherited (passed down through families) or associated with:Fatty diets/Disease such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, Cushing syndrome, and kidney failure/Certain medications, including birth control pills, estrogen, corticosteroids, certain diuretics, and beta-blockers/Lifestyle factors, including inactivity and regular, excessive alcohol use.If you smoke and also have high cholesterol you have an even greater risk for heart disease.Lipid disorders are more common in men than women

[RadioAstronomyObserver]

Just a related story with little information....
Date,--total cholesterol--difference
05/09--136--00
11/09--130--minus 6 in six months
02/10--104--minus 26 in 3 months
05/10--125--  Plus 21 in 3 months

02/09--204--00
07/09--244-- Plus 40 in six months
01/10--305-- Plus 61 in five months
02/10--164-- minus 141 in less than a month

  I can see your concern.  That is a drastic difference for each test. So, I have to ask if cholesterol changes slowly over time or if it changes with each meal and the exorcise between each meal?

  For me a drastic drop in a three month time and then another drastic increase in the next three months.  I've taken up bike riding for the exorcise, something I haven't done in 30 years and I believe is the biggest reason for the increase in that three month time of my cholesterol by adding to my HDL.  My Dr now has me on Fish oil and a couple others to help raise and balance my cholesterol but the fact still remains that my Cholesterol made drastic turns in three months.  "A completely uneducated guess", and I want to believe my guess is completely true, The cholesterol numbers change drastically in  very short periods of time and the blood tests are only goof for the very moment it was taken and can be different within hours should blood be taken and tested again. With my information I'll eat according to my results and make the assumption the numbers will change accordingly.

[kat1999]

Thanks for your response Jon,
My doctor checked to see if it may Arthritis, and it was negative.
What baffles me the severe jump in my cholesteral in due to reduction in thyroid med (is that evev possible?) and the dropping of the Niacin.
My goal is to do another lab work to see if my levels are low enough again to be only treated with Niacin as it was before.
I am wondering how long will the affects of Simvastatin take to be out of my blood, to see my actual levels. Do you happen to know?

[erijon]

Side effects from statins do not normally start until 90 days after use and the risk of side effects are less than 1%. Is your doctor sure it's the statins or is he taking a shot in the dark? On a  side note, a study was done to measure the side effect rate in 19,000 people, half on a statin and half on a placebo. It was interesting to find that the rate of muscle and joint pain reported was identical by both groups.

I personally have been on 40 mg of Simvastatin for years without any side effects, but everyone responds differently.

Hope this helps,

Jon