just found out my Cholesterol level is high ( 7.1 ) and the doctor wants to put me on a statin medication to lower it.

not really happy taking the medication and reading into the subject there seems to be lot of different opinions on Cholesterol levels and treatment.

would appreciate your views/experience, etc

Iain

Have been on statins for about 10 years,the dose I had was too high and made every bone I had ache,cut in half and been fine since average level is now 4.

Apparently I'm high as well - as well as being a teetotal, non-smoking, vegetarian. The statin discussion with the GP was a couple of days after the publicity about halving statin doses because of long term harm and really got nowhere apart from confirming I'm making the stuff myself.

So instead, I'm (trying to) avoid shellfish and some other foods to see what happens. If I stop posting - it didn't work! Everyone can spread it - Anyone can catch it. Stay home - the life you save can be your own!

Thought it was a spam thread, when i read the title  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Try going on plant sterol tablets for 2 months and see what happens. Sell them in Boots. I use Lestrin brand. Brought mine down by 2 units. Worth a go before going on statins. Cut down on high cholesterol foods naturally aswell.
Trust me I'm a Dr.......just not a medical one  * GONE. GS TD4 Manual MY2013. Orkney Grey with privacy, cold and clearview packs, armrests (a must!) and a spoiler.
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Try the cholesterol lowering yogurt drinks for 3 months then go back for a repeat test. There's some evidence that fasting blood tests aren't really required as cholesterol can show up from weeks & months previous, & not just overnight. Poke it, Poke it, make it do it again!!

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thanks, I will investigate the plant sterol tablets, yoghurts, etc

the doctor did say that my body was producing 75% of the Cholesterol, so I took it that I had only 25% to work on re foods, etc ?

Iain

ps still a reduction of 25% would help

not really the total lipid level that is important, more the ldl/hdl ratio . simvastatin may have fewer side effects than atorvastatin, but doesn't always work as well.
The only real answer is to take proper medical advice that is specific to your case and not rely on a four wheel drive forum for potentially life threatening conditions.

Porridge is the key  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

I'll raise your 7.1 to 7.2! Thats what I was and I went on a healthy diet and took plenty of exercise - just walking and swimming. No salt, white bread, shellfish, nuts, chocolate, coffee, cheese, butter, cream, fried stuff, roasted stuff, bacon, processes meat, sausages eggs etc. After 3 months I was down to 4.6.

Medication should be a last resort. Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
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Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Last edited by Steve D on 7th Mar 2013 5:22 pm. Edited 1 time in total

The Doctor wrote:

Porridge is the key

Definitely. Pulls all the cholesterol out.  Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Mine was high, and one of the things i did was change to Proactiv spread. Pricey, but what price your ticker. Also be careful about what you eat in general. But my diabetic nurse gave me some brilliant advice. If you're 80% good, then the other 20% is your treat time. Worked for me. Lost 2 and a 1/2 stone. Cost a bl dy fortune in new clothes though.

Exercise is the key!!

I thought it was hereditary. Plenty of exercise and a healthy diet helps. Take the Doctors advice with all the doom and gloom on the forum you will unearth a lot more problems.

Last edited by 5jms5 on 8th Mar 2013 7:51 am. Edited 1 time in total

Hi 5J. Hope you meant exercise