Chlolesterol Levels - Need MD Advice / Comments (1 Viewer)

[russinfortworth]

So I just turned 50 and went in for a physical that included a blood work up.

I'm a pretty healthy guy. 5' 11" 175 lbs. Lead a pretty active lifestyle and eat pretty healthy with the occasional burger / wings / beer / nacho / etc.

Doctor freaked me out last Friday by leaving a message on our home phone that my prescription was available for pick up at CVS and the I could come by and get my blood results at my convenience. So my wife hears the part about the prescription and swings by to pick it up on her way home. The prescription is for 20mg tablet of some type of cholesterol medicine. Being a pharmacist she is now alarmed because she says that is a pretty large dosage. She goes over and gets my bloodwork which shows the following:

HDL (52) is in the "excellent" range

Triglycerides are in the "excellent" range

Total cholesterol (184) is in the excellent range

However LDL is 109 which is 9 above the excellent range and well with in the "good range".

She is confused as to why he would recommend such a large dose before trying a diet modification first.

given the side effects of the meds, I'm going to just change my diet, take some fish oil, and work out a little more often and bypass the meds.

Anyone see any cause for alarm with this path of action, or would it be better to take the meds (if so wife recommends taking only 1/2 a pill).

Thanks.

And yes the colonoscopy is scheduled.........fun times ahead....

 

[Dickies]

So you have a doctor you go to and your wife is a pharmacist, yet you ask a bunch of random nerds on a fantasy football message board for advice on your medications....

 

[eoMMan]

Talk with the doctor first before taking any medication.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

So you have a doctor you go to and your wife is a pharmacist, yet you ask a bunch of random nerds on a fantasy football message board for advice on your medications....

I take cholesterol meds because I'm too lazy to exercise or adjust my diet

I probably forget to take it 2-3 days a week too

 

[russinfortworth]

So you have a doctor you go to and your wife is a pharmacist, yet you ask a bunch of random nerds on a fantasy football message board for advice on your medications...

First time I've ever been to this Dr. Was not impressed with him during the actual physical exam (had to ask him to check to many things and he seemed more interested in getting me out of the office).

 

[JoeSteeler]

maybe Rx was for someone else and doctor/staff screwed up? Do you have a common last name?

Would think a phone call could shed some light on the situation....

 

[3C's]

If there wasn't a mistake and the doctor intended that for me with those numbers I'd be finding a new doc.

 

[Judge Smails]

with your cholesterol levels I don't understand the prescription. If all were "excellent" that makes no sense to me. I was at the high end of the normal range, got strict with my diet and exercise and had no improvement, so my doctor put me on a statin. He's a big believer in them as a preventative measure in most men. I don't skip - take it religiously every day.

 

[Galileo]

with your cholesterol levels I don't understand the prescription. If all were "excellent" that makes no sense to me. I was at the high end of the normal range, got strict with my diet and exercise and had no improvement, so my doctor put me on a statin. He's a big believer in them as a preventative measure in most men. I don't skip - take it religiously every day.

I certainly do not understand taking meds when your numbers are all excellent. I also do not understand taking meds when your numbers are normal, You folks need some new doctors.

 

[ArbyMelt]

your doctor is being conned by the pharmaceutical industry. Those numbers are very good.

 

[General Malaise]

So you have a doctor you go to and your wife is a pharmacist, yet you ask a bunch of random nerds on a fantasy football message board for advice on your medications....

I take cholesterol meds because I'm too lazy to exercise or adjust my diet

I probably forget to take it 2-3 days a week too

me too.

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

maybe Rx was for someone else and doctor/staff screwed up? Do you have a common last name?

Would think a phone call could shed some light on the situation....

"infortworth" is pretty common around here

 

[Bucky86]

Are you sure ball cancer treatment isn't one of the alternative uses for this medication?

 

[AAABatteries]

Yeah, get an explanation on why he's prescribing meds when your numbers are good - doesn't make sense unless you have a horrible family history.

 

[jamny]

No reason for a prescription with those numbers, imo.

Find a new doctor, not a pill pusher.

 

[JoeSteeler]

maybe Rx was for someone else and doctor/staff screwed up? Do you have a common last name?

Would think a phone call could shed some light on the situation....

"infortworth" is pretty common around here

that's what I figured

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

I assume the medication is a statin and 20mg is a typical starting dose. That being said, your numbers don't seem to warrant starting a statin yet. Do you have a major family history of heart disease?

 

[russinfortworth]

I assume the medication is a statin and 20mg is a typical starting dose. That being said, your numbers don't seem to warrant starting a statin yet. Do you have a major family history of heart disease?

No. That is what is throwing us all for a loop.

 

[russinfortworth]

Thanks for the replies.

Funny story:

So I look up all information on high LPL on Friday night and come up with a plan. Most sites say that you can lower your level by 30% by just changing your diet and I found that I can have 200mg/day of chlolesterol.

On Saturday morning I get my raisin bran (0), my stevia (0), and a cup of 1% milk (20mg ). Wholly crap 10% of total for the day on milk. How the heck am I going to do this...........

 

[jamny]

https://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?/topic/525873-just-found-out-my-cholesterol-is-high/page-1

for more info

 

[Willie Neslon]

Thanks for the replies.

Funny story:

So I look up all information on high LPL on Friday night and come up with a plan. Most sites say that you can lower your level by 30% by just changing your diet and I found that I can have 200mg/day of chlolesterol.

On Saturday morning I get my raisin bran (0), my stevia (0), and a cup of 1% milk (20mg ). Wholly crap 10% of total for the day on milk. How the heck am I going to do this...........

They say cholesterol in food is not an issue now in terms of your blood cholesterol. There's another thread here on cholesterol stuff, I had a similar situation. Here you go

Basically you want to avoid anything with hydrogenated oils and increase your fiber (i.e. fruits and vegetables) consumption.