Cholesterol medication
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Wouldn't losing 21 pounds in 6 weeks explain why trygs were high?6
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My dad was on two statins, and three different medicines to help control his type 2 diabetes (metformin, Januvia, and glypizide) and couldn't get his blood sugars under 200. After reading "Cholesterol Clarity" I learned that there can be interactions that the statins prevent the diabetes medication from working properly. My dad's A1C was 8.9, and the doctor wanted him on insulin, but he refused. He took a leap of faith, and dropped the statins back in November. His blood sugars began to drop to normal range within a couple of days without dietary changes! In April his A1C was 5.5! The doctor just scratches her head! And his cholesterol lab work is within normal limits too!
Just know that medication can work against you sometimes!
Personally, I wouldn't take a statin if my cholesterol was high. I would insist on the doctor finding the cause, which is inflammation somewhere, and treat that! The side effects of statins can be detrimental to one's health! I believe my father in laws dementia is a side effect from taking them! Be informed, because knowledge is power!
@Karlottap - Now I'm curious: was Metformin one of the drugs that statins are supposed to interfere with?
My BG and lipid profile (higher, but still low HDL, especially) seem to be better when I'm on both Metformin and a statin. I haven't yet perceived bad interactions in my case (after self-experimentation - but before I switched from LCHP to LCHF....) once the cramps went away, which happened after I switched to Crestor and started taking magnesium. But I do plan to try ditching the statin after I hit my target weight!1 -
@RalfLott my BG readings are coming down from very high while Dr. kept upping the dose of insulin. When I began LCHF, my legs and feet were so swollen that I could barely walk up the stairs and after watching Dr. Fung, I decided to ditch the insulin and see what happened to BG. Ha! With the lower carbs and metformin, my readings came down down down. Yay! So she agreed that insulin was off the board for now.
I don't think i am tolerating the statins that well, as the joint pain began to get pretty bad, but I am willing to try again to bring down the triglycerides. Trial and error. She was very pleased about the weight loss of 21 lbs in 6 weeks.
@kmn118 - the swelling, and crazy high trigs are a huge giant screaming waving red flags of thyroid disorder. Have you had a full mock up including the antibodies test?? That would be my go to now, as I learn more and more about all this. TSH is not sufficient if you have anything else going on! Did the doc test that by any chance?3 -
7 Factors to Consider if You’re Told Your Cholesterol Is Too High
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/01/12/7-factors-cholesterol-levels.aspx?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=facebookmercola_ranart&utm_campaign=20160513_7-factors-cholesterol-levels0 -
Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »Wouldn't losing 21 pounds in 6 weeks explain why trygs were high?
I was wondering about the effect of all the changes I made and didn't have the knowledge to discuss it with her... I am learning, but have a poor grasp of the effects of LCHF, etc on lab results. Plus, they just do a surface scan; it's a rural health center.1 -
@KnitOrMiss I asked if she tested thyroid function and she said she did not, as she didn't think it was indicated. As I said, a rural health center.1
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I found this section in Livestrong.com (http://www.livestrong.com/article/500114-can-losing-weight-raise-your-cholesterol-temporarily/)
Weight Loss May Raise Cholesterol Temporarily
Although research indicates that weight loss will lower cholesterol, some people may experience a rise in cholesterol as they lose weight, because as weight is lost, fat stores shrink. The fat and cholesterol normally stored in fatty tissue have nowhere to go but the bloodstream, causing a rise in cholesterol. This effect is not permanent and cholesterol levels will drop as your weight stabilizes. Medications used to to treat high cholesterol, such as Z-hydroxy-Z-Coa reductase inhibitors, are not effective in controlling cholesterol when it comes from fatty tissue stores.
So going back on statins won't improve my cholesterol labs until I have begun maintenance? That's my take away from this.1 -
this has been an amazing thread. It has taken me years to figure out some of this stuff. Unrelated to high cholestoral - mine has always been too low- which causes lots of fatigue.
But, I reckon it would be good to collate some of this info and paste it into one of the permanent posts in the LCD group.5 -
Yes lots of good info. I did take the meds last week but will stop tomorrow, I read too many side effects. I'm feeling great with this diet. Lots of energy, clear head and have lost 14 lbs in 17 days now2
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this has been an amazing thread. It has taken me years to figure out some of this stuff. Unrelated to high cholestoral - mine has always been too low- which causes lots of fatigue.
But, I reckon it would be good to collate some of this info and paste it into one of the permanent posts in the LCD group.
For the time being I posted it under the Open Threads in the Launch Pad. In the future, if anyone wants to nominate a thread for the LP, either tag me or one of the other mods in the thread with a request or do the same with a PM.
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The book "Grain Brain" by David Perlmutter, M.D., is another AWESOME READ on this topic. I highly recommend reading it, then reading it again! Will help explain why statins are detrimental to one's health!3
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I found this section in Livestrong.com (http://www.livestrong.com/article/500114-can-losing-weight-raise-your-cholesterol-temporarily/)
Weight Loss May Raise Cholesterol Temporarily
Although research indicates that weight loss will lower cholesterol, some people may experience a rise in cholesterol as they lose weight, because as weight is lost, fat stores shrink. The fat and cholesterol normally stored in fatty tissue have nowhere to go but the bloodstream, causing a rise in cholesterol. This effect is not permanent and cholesterol levels will drop as your weight stabilizes. Medications used to to treat high cholesterol, such as Z-hydroxy-Z-Coa reductase inhibitors, are not effective in controlling cholesterol when it comes from fatty tissue stores.
So going back on statins won't improve my cholesterol labs until I have begun maintenance? That's my take away from this.
Thanks for the link. Kind of on the subject I thought all Red Yeast Rice was pulled off the market but recently just learned on one brand was pulled.
Has anyone ever taken Red Yeast Rice for any reason and have any results note worthy in either direction?0 -
I found this gem of a site yesterday. thennt.com. It turns out that statins are oversold on relative risk. They are also mostly for people who already have a heart condition. For people without prior heart condition...1/10 got muscle damage. 1/100 got diabetes.
http://www.thennt.com/nnt/statins-for-heart-disease-prevention-without-prior-heart-disease/
The site also reports that as many as 1/5 people get false positives when screened for breast and prostate cancer. I'd say a 20% chance of misdiagnose is way too high.
I'm not saying anyone should ignore a medical diagnose. But that as patients we need to educate ourselves in order to take vital decisions and not blindly trust authorities.5 -
Just saw my PCP today to discuss labs and my A1C was coming down nicely, even after I stopped insulin without permission... but my Triglycerides and cholesterol skyrocketed, after i stopped my statin, also without permission. So i agreed to go back on statin for the next 4 months until next labs to see if that corrects anything. I am NOT happy about it, but the numbers were scary high. When I asked about the LDL, VLDL numbers that were missing from the report, I was told that the Triglycerides were too high to make those cholesterol breakouts valid.
Not sure enough of my grasp of all these lab values to ask for specific testing, although I did ask for thyroid tests and she said that there is no indication that that test was necessary. HA! Just all the symptoms.
It's a well known fact when going low carb, that your cholesterol will go up until you lose the weight and go into maintenance. Cholesterol goes up any time there is inflammation in your body (as others have said). Even vigorously exercising before the test will have high levels. A tooth ache will cause it. Gut permibility will cause it. Food allergies will cause it. Cholesterol is a bad test to judge health. There are many better ways and tests other than cholesterol. Your doc is behind the times.
Statin drugs are evil. Way too many bad side effects.
Read Cholesterol Clarity.
Dan the Man from Michigan
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The American Medical Association gives doctors a type of "demerit" for patients not being prescribed, and taking, statins when the total is above 180, or elevated ldl or triglycerides (even when the total is normal!)! Medical care has been given over to the insurance companies, and the pharmaceutical companies, and taken out of the doctors hands! I believe some doctors are finally realizing, but don't have a recourse to take it back! Meanwhile their getting demerits when patients try to take their medical care into their own hands! Plus, the drug companies reward them (meals, vacations to "conferences"...) for prescribing their poison! This is why they actually get mad at patients who take themselves off of it! They can't even acknowledge your improvements being off of it because of their ridiculous regulations! Medicine is now a joke in many respects, and I'm an RN! I really need a new profession! My opinions will get me in trouble one day, because I can't not tell my patients about it, when I have time! I'm ready for the day they come to me about it though!
I tell everyone to educate themselves with the truth! Having knowledge for yourself, in your situation, is very empowering!13 -
I tell everyone to educate themselves with the truth! Having knowledge for yourself, in your situation, is very empowering!
~ ~ Bingo ! ~ ~
Yep, we're all different - only taking time to learn about health AND about your own individual responses to foods, meds, sleep, exercise, etc., will really empower you.
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Here's a prior thread with good discussion of bad (?) statins.
(Maybe there aren't any bad statins, just bad prescribers.)0 -
KarlynKeto wrote: »
I have high LDLs (which I firmly believe is due to losing weight, and will stabilize when my weight stabilizes. I have read about this many times now) so I got a particle test last month after my doc suggested meds. I am so glad I did, as meds are now not even a discussion. The test gave me an overall cholesterol health of 'excellent', and I still have high LDLs. These test are far more comprehensive and have an overall health scale rating of 1 to 20, with 1 being awesome and 20 being deadly. My number was 1.5 which is super great! All my other numbers were fabulous, so my only risk factor of high LDLs wasn't really so bad as most were 'fluffy' and not oxidized LDLs. In other-words, my high LDL poses little risk when all risk markers are properly factored.
Just out of curiosity, how do your weight-loss numbers compare with before you started?
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For what it's worth, Tim Noakes, on the Keto Summit said that cholesterol levels are NOT what we should be tracking, he feels triglicerides are more important to watch.2
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I finally Googled "statins" to see what all the fuss was about, and yeah, I want to stop taking them. My numbers are all good right now (HDL: 54, LDL: 46, Tri: 72). Does anyone know how soon I would expect to see a difference, once I stop the meds? And what about withdrawal symptoms? Do any of you have experience with stopping statins?2
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MyriiStorm wrote: »I finally Googled "statins" to see what all the fuss was about, and yeah, I want to stop taking them. My numbers are all good right now (HDL: 54, LDL: 46, Tri: 72). Does anyone know how soon I would expect to see a difference, once I stop the meds? And what about withdrawal symptoms? Do any of you have experience with stopping statins?
healthline.com/health/cholesterol-can-it-be-too-low#Overview1
@MyriiStorm one can find info to support any position on the use of statins that one wishes to support. This one addresses the side effects of low cholesterol since that is your current health risk concern.
In my case based on meta studies that I have read my risk of premature death increases when my total cholesterol goes under 200 or above 240. My last lab work it came in at 257 so I am happy. The MD said they do not even look at treating until total cholesterol hits 290. Last year the same clinic wanted me to start statins because the threshold to start treatment was still at the outdated 200 level and my was at 404 due to having started LCHF 9 months earlier.
Statins will cut body inflammation levels but so will things like fish oil, etc without the same health risks for most people.
I did use Red Yeast Rice form of statins off Amazon for a few days and had new muscle pain develop almost at the same time. When I figured out the connection I tossed the Red Yeast Rice. Not all people have overt side effects from statin usage I read.
Best of success in learning how to prevent premature death in your case. In my case without Rx meds my health and health marks are steadily improving but that may not be the case of others. I have been heavy on fish oil for 20 years now.3 -
Congrats on those numbers, awesome. Don't just quit them cold turkey, you should cut back slowly. My husband took several days to quit. No side effects except that Major muscle pains went away when the statins did. He then advised his dr. that he had quit and would not be taking them again.
High chol. numbers run in his family, both parents and his brother, his dad had a quad bypass at 65 and lived to almost 96. His brother takes statins and no bad side effects, his mom, died (82)of a lung condition not a heart problem. So within the family even there is a wide range of reactions to the statins.
Everyone seems to have a different reaction to them. I have had CHOL between 200-210 for several years now, but my triglicerides/HDL ratio is so good, my dr. has not brought up the idea of me taking statins. I hope to see even more improvement now that I am eating LCHF.3 -
FWIW, Crestor has been much better for muscle pain than Lipitor.
(I hope to dump the whole kit & kaboodle once my weight stabilizes after I hit my goal weight...)1 -
Thanks for the input, guys. I'm due for blood work this month, so it will be very interesting to see the results and to hear what my doctor has to say!0
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MyriiStorm wrote: »Thanks for the input, guys. I'm due for blood work this month, so it will be very interesting to see the results and to hear what my doctor has to say!
Keep us posted, eh?1 -
GaleHawkins wrote: »Best of success in learning how to prevent premature death in your case. In my case without Rx meds my health and health marks are steadily improving but that may not be the case of others. I have been heavy on fish oil for 20 years now.
@GaleHawkins - I'd love to know what dosage of fish oils you use - i.e. what you consider heavy. I'm working to up mine, and am taking two, in conjunction, and I'm definitely higher than ADA, but I'm not seeing too much reduction in inflammation as of yet in the physical sense, so I'm wondering if that means I need more or of a different type. Thanks in advance!1 -
Yes, oversold on relative risk. Here's a link to a study on the efficacy of a statin med: http://www.oxfordjournals.org/our_journals/eurheartj/ehr333final_esc_congress.pdfFoamroller wrote: »I found this gem of a site yesterday. thennt.com. It turns out that statins are oversold on relative risk. They are also mostly for people who already have a heart condition. For people without prior heart condition...1/10 got muscle damage. 1/100 got diabetes.
http://www.thennt.com/nnt/statins-for-heart-disease-prevention-without-prior-heart-disease/
The site also reports that as many as 1/5 people get false positives when screened for breast and prostate cancer. I'd say a 20% chance of misdiagnose is way too high.
I'm not saying anyone should ignore a medical diagnose. But that as patients we need to educate ourselves in order to take vital decisions and not blindly trust authorities.
On slide 3, you can see that of all those in the study, 7.3% of placebo-takers died from a cardiovascular event, while 6.6% of those taking the statin died. So the statin didn't really improve the odds for these folks.
Yet, the ridiculous claim was made that "...atorvastatin had resulted in a highly significant reduction of 36% in the primary endpoint (death prevention) compared with placebo..."
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For those of you who haven't sworn off statins yet.....
Statins and vitamin D
by Michael Eades
https://proteinpower.com/drmike/2007/12/24/statins-and-vitamin-d/2
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