Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi - just got my blood results back today
Triglycerides 0.6 mmol/l
Total cholesterol 5.4 mmol/l
HDL 2.26 mmol/l
LDL 2.9 mmol/l
Total cholesterol : HDL ratio 2.4
He really wants me to start on statins, but we have no family history of heart problems, strokes etc and I am reluctant to start. Been a vegetarian for 30 years and eat healthily, non smoker too
Any views?
1 like, 9 replies
We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.
brian03294 allie64648
Posted
If you do not mind me asking how old are you (this is VERY relivant)
allie64648 brian03294
Posted
brian03294 allie64648
Posted
"There is a growing body of literature interrogating statin therapy for women, particularly in the primary prevention of coronary heart
disease. Several meta-analyses have found little evidence of benefit for this population. Ongoing analytical impediments have been described
regarding the continued failure of investigators to release relevant data. In the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in women,
statin therapy has been found to decrease coronary heart disease events and mortality, but not all-cause mortality. There is evidence based
concern over statin therapy in increasing cancer incidence and mortality in women. Issues regarding the estimation of benefit, aggressive
marketing, data disclosure and insufficient attention to adverse events need to be addressed."
brian03294 allie64648
Posted
In a study published earlier this year, higher levels of both total cholesterol and LDL-C were found to be associated with a reduced risk of death in individuals aged 85 followed for 10 years.
In another study published last year, researchers assessed the levels of cholesterol and risk of death in almost 120,000 adults living in Denmark. The researchers found that having higher than recommended levels of total cholesterol was associated with a reduced risk of death.
For instance, in men aged 60-70, compared with those of total cholesterol levels of less than 5.0 mmol/l, those with total cholesterol levels of 5.00-5.99 had a 32 per cent reduced risk of death. For those with levels 6.0-7.99 mmol/l, risk of death was 33 per cent lower. Even in individuals with levels with 8.00 mmol/l and above, risk of death was no higher than it was for those with levels less than 5.0 mmol/l.
The results were similar for women too. In women aged 60-70, levels of 5.0-5.99 and 6.0-7.99 were associated with a 43 and 41 per cent reduced risk of death respectively.
In individuals aged 70 and over, the results were similar, except here, levels of total cholesterol of 8.00 mmol/l or more were associated with a reduced risk of death too (in both men and women).
In short, we are misguided if we assumed that higher levels of cholesterol are a sign of increased death risk. In older individuals, there is evidence that the reverse is true.
jackie59258 allie64648
Posted
eddy46482 allie64648
Posted
allie64648 eddy46482
Posted
My GP wants me on statins as I am a type 1 diabetic - I never see him about any diabetic issues. My diabetic consultant has been happy to let me continue without statins as I am slim, low blood pressure, non smoker, healthy diet, vegetarian etc
allie64648
Posted
After my last cholesterol results the Dr gave me a month to try to bring my cholesterol down before he started me on statins. Anyway the good news is that my total level is now down to 4.5 mmol/l. Not sure whether this is down to my excluding cheese from my diet or the odd Benecol yoghurt but the threat of stations had receded for a while.
allie64648
Posted