Statins

[williamalex1]

But that's just it, managing high "Familial" cholesterol through diet and lifestyle is just not enough.
Someone with a raised level, fine, but not dangerously high.

I agree, But a few years the calculation /format previously used for assessing cholesterol levels changed / reassessed .
Using the old method / calculation I was just within the normal limits.

Statins were prescribed , but stopped after only 4 weeks because of severe side effects.

 

[Ethan]

Do you have any experience of Dr John Briffa and his views on Cholesterol and Statins. If you have I would be genuinely interested in your views.

Here is a link to one of his articles on the subject: http://www.drbriffa.com/2014/08/28/...he-evidence-base-for-statins-and-other-drugs/

Briffa is making a point about blinding in studies, i.e. ensuring that patients and their doctors do not know whether they are on the investigational medicine or the placebo. This is not a revelation to those who design clinical trials and ensuring blinding works is always a matter of concern. The major trials used pretty solid methods for enforcing this, and in something like heart disease or cholesterol measurement, the outcomes are less subjective and prone to the influence of weak blinding anyway. In something based on a patient's own assessment of their well being, it is a much greater problem.

 

[SocketRocket]

Had some routine blood tests last week to check for Diabetes, Cholesterol,PSA Liver and Kidney functions (As you do). Good news is that all was well and my Cholesterol was at 4.1. A few years back it was about 5.4 so this was encouraging, especially as I am 67 this Month. For a while now I have changed my diet to one of low carbs, more protein(Meat,eggs,dairy and nuts) and non root vegetables, I have also resisted anything with refined sugar. It has controlled my weight very well (not that I have ever been obese) but the cholesterol change is really good news. :thup:

 

[Golfmmad]

Had some routine blood tests last week to check for Diabetes, Cholesterol,PSA Liver and Kidney functions (As you do). Good news is that all was well and my Cholesterol was at 4.1. A few years back it was about 5.4 so this was encouraging, especially as I am 67 this Month. For a while now I have changed my diet to one of low carbs, more protein(Meat,eggs,dairy and nuts) and non root vegetables, I have also resisted anything with refined sugar. It has controlled my weight very well (not that I have ever been obese) but the cholesterol change is really good news. :thup:

Good news, sounds like you are a very healthy 67 year old! You are one of the more fortunate ones though, where you can control your cholesterol levels by diet alone - I'm assuming you do not take any medication.

Long may it continue. :thup:

 

[SocketRocket]

Good news, sounds like you are a very healthy 67 year old! You are one of the more fortunate ones though, where you can control your cholesterol levels by diet alone - I'm assuming you do not take any medication.

Long may it continue. :thup:

Thanks.:thup:

Yes, I am Statin free!

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Had some routine blood tests last week to check for Diabetes, Cholesterol,PSA Liver and Kidney functions (As you do). Good news is that all was well and my Cholesterol was at 4.1. A few years back it was about 5.4 so this was encouraging, especially as I am 67 this Month. For a while now I have changed my diet to one of low carbs, more protein(Meat,eggs,dairy and nuts) and non root vegetables, I have also resisted anything with refined sugar. It has controlled my weight very well (not that I have ever been obese) but the cholesterol change is really good news. :thup:

Good news, well done.

My Mrs badgered me into getting an 'old mans check' last week.
I am more or less a stranger to our GP's so they seemed quite surprised I asked
I am also 67.
Checks came back with a cholesterol level of 6.1 but quite a high heart risk. My Scottish male family line have a poor heart history.
Having chatted things through with my doctor she advised me to alter my diet as it seems I am pretty healthy other than having the 'wrong' cholesterol. I have quite a healthy diet and lifestyle so I am cutting out sugar and lowering my alcohol and trying to lose half a stone. [5'10''~ 12 st.]
After 3 months back for a blood test to see if I can avoid the statins.

Re sugar, my wife tells me that Tate and Lyle are the only main suppliers of cane sugar now. The rest are all beet sugar.
She was having mouth ulcers etc and thought it may have been the sugar, changed to T&L and all seems OK now.

 

[SocketRocket]

Good news, well done.

My Mrs badgered me into getting an 'old mans check' last week.
I am more or less a stranger to our GP's so they seemed quite surprised I asked
I am also 67.
Checks came back with a cholesterol level of 6.1 but quite a high heart risk. My Scottish male family line have a poor heart history.
Having chatted things through with my doctor she advised me to alter my diet as it seems I am pretty healthy other than having the 'wrong' cholesterol. I have quite a healthy diet and lifestyle so I am cutting out sugar and lowering my alcohol and trying to lose half a stone. [5'10''~ 12 st.]
After 3 months back for a blood test to see if I can avoid the statins.

Re sugar, my wife tells me that Tate and Lyle are the only main suppliers of cane sugar now. The rest are all beet sugar.
She was having mouth ulcers etc and thought it may have been the sugar, changed to T&L and all seems OK now.

Sugars are in more foods than you may think. You need to replace the word Carbohydrate with 'Sugar' Bread, Root Vegetables (Potatoes, Swede, parsnips etc) Cereals including breakfast cereals, Pasta and most Fruit. If you look at the food most people consume and consider healthy it can contain a lot of 'hidden sugars'. Refined sugars are a real no no and should be avoided.