Poll: Do you know your cholesterol.....and.are you taking a statin?

[Momto3]

Do you know your cholesterol numbers?  Are you taking a statin medication?  If so, have your cholesterol levels improved?

[Flycaster305]

About 15 years ago I was told my total cholesterol was over 300, I can't recall the beakdowns.  I tried to get them down by diet alone, so went to hospital dietary lectures, quit eating fast food, did all the things that will reduce the cholesterol number.  I got it down to about 220, and thought that was enough, even though my doctor wanted the level lower.  I was listening to family members who distained prescription meds and refused to take a statin, wanting to go the 'natural' route.  Huge mistake, had three MI's, I've got eight stents to back up my statement.  My total cholesterol is now 137 with high hdl's, low ldl's and tri's, but it's like closing the gate after the cows got out.  I now believe that one must watch the diet very closely as well as take statins if the cholesterol is high.  It is my belief that very, very strict dietary control can reduce one's cholesterol about 30%, but not much more than that, and research I've read backs up that.  

I had another stress test Monday and I clearly have more blockages and a weakened heart, I'll have an angiogram to assess more clearly what is going on.  If I could change one thing in my life, I would have mixed in a statin when I changed my dietary habits.  I think anyone who has high cholesterol and refuses to take statins should walk in my shoes a day, I'll bet they would reconsider and take a more balanced stance.

[Momto3]

Great results!!!  

[Me967]

Hi well I was thinking mine was really good!  After going to the http link now I'm not sure.  :-O    Total is 203 Trig. 100   HDL 56   LDL 127 and  Lipoprotein A 31.  ???  

Well maybe it will go down some more
in time at least it's going down..........{ : - )

[FoozMike]

I am 25 and on liptor 20mg. My total was 240 before meds and now my total is at 180-190. It only brought my tris down from 600 to between 350 - 400 so i am working on that now. No side effects.

[Momto3]

Thanks for sharing Brooke_38!  

It's interesting to see the wide variations in the numbers as well as the treatment options....

[Brooke_38]

Hello-

I just had my annual physical and was disheartened to hear the results of my lipid panel. Total cholesterol is 240, triglycerides 67, HDL 54, LDL 172.

I eat very healthy, low fat, heart healthy food. Both my parents and 3 of my sibs have high cholesterol so  my PCP started me on 20mg of Simvastatin. I will have my levels checked again in 6 weeks. Will let you know if there is any change.