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What Causes High Blood Cholesterol?
Question: I am a 41 year old women that weighs 132 lbs. I have high cholesterol. It was 240 at a free health clinic today. I am taking Tri core for 6 months and just started taking Pravastatin 40 mgs in the last 3 weeks. I am worried I am to high and can not see my doctor for 2 weeks? I was in the hospital with my cholesterol at 3024 6 months ago. Please Help. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Not too high,don't worry until see doctor...
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Having a blood cholesterol of 3024 is considered extremely high. However, I have noticed that you succeeded to lower your cholesterol level in 6 months at about 240 level. This is considered slightly elevated, and is not worrisome.
Tricor did fine to lower cholesterol levels. If your doctor put you on Pravastatin 3 weeks ago, then, this combination therapy has really reduced your cholesterol numbers.
Please bare in mind that to evaluate your current lipid profile, I need to have other cholesterol parameters and get them analyzed myself. You are only providing total cholesterol, which seems fine to me and not worrisome.
At the end, medications alone cannot help you lower your cholesterol levels. You should implement healthy lifestyle and diet changes to succeed.
Once again, your cholesterol level is not too high. You should not be worried until you see your doctor in 2 weeks.
All the best!
Dr.Albana
Not too high,don't worry until see doctor...
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Having a blood cholesterol of 3024 is considered extremely high. However, I have noticed that you succeeded to lower your cholesterol level in 6 months at about 240 level. This is considered slightly elevated, and is not worrisome.
Tricor did fine to lower cholesterol levels. If your doctor put you on Pravastatin 3 weeks ago, then, this combination therapy has really reduced your cholesterol numbers.
Please bare in mind that to evaluate your current lipid profile, I need to have other cholesterol parameters and get them analyzed myself. You are only providing total cholesterol, which seems fine to me and not worrisome.
At the end, medications alone cannot help you lower your cholesterol levels. You should implement healthy lifestyle and diet changes to succeed.
Once again, your cholesterol level is not too high. You should not be worried until you see your doctor in 2 weeks.
All the best!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
If I release my hospital records to you, would that better help you? When I left the hospital I believe I was around 200. But yet with meds it still is going up? I wonder how much salad a person can eat but I am there if need be.The docs here are about in and out. If you can assist me better to help me that would be greatly appreciated. I will give my Doc suggestions on what you may suggest. Once again Thank You for your time and thoughts on this matter.
Brief Answer:
Perfect...
Detailed Answer:
Hi there my dear,
Yes, it could be perfect to send me a copy of the hospital record.
Now, there are many factors contributing to high cholesterol levels, including:
- heredity
- diet
- lifestyle
- stress/anxiety
- medications you take (for other health problems you might have)
- other medical issues you might have (diabetes, thyroid,etc)
- being overweight/obese
If a patient comes to my clinic with your problems, I would go deeper and find out what is causing high cholesterol to you. Treating the underlying cause will definetely reverse cholesterol numbers.
Please bare in mind that there are 2 main sources for cholesterol:
- the majority is produced by our body (hereditary)
- little is taken by food (can perfectly control)
I need to understand if your problem is internal (heredity, other diseases) or external (foods) to proceed with management plan.
You can discuss this with your doctor and find out together what is causing high cholesterol in you.
Next, please keep in mind that having a total cholesterol or 200 or 240 does not mean it is in increasing range.
Another factor is the reading made by an automatic analyzer and the lab method used. You can discuss this issue with your doctor too.
Looking forward to have your hospital records in (all your lab tests, not only cholesterol numbers) for further evaluations!
Dr.Albana
Perfect...
Detailed Answer:
Hi there my dear,
Yes, it could be perfect to send me a copy of the hospital record.
Now, there are many factors contributing to high cholesterol levels, including:
- heredity
- diet
- lifestyle
- stress/anxiety
- medications you take (for other health problems you might have)
- other medical issues you might have (diabetes, thyroid,etc)
- being overweight/obese
If a patient comes to my clinic with your problems, I would go deeper and find out what is causing high cholesterol to you. Treating the underlying cause will definetely reverse cholesterol numbers.
Please bare in mind that there are 2 main sources for cholesterol:
- the majority is produced by our body (hereditary)
- little is taken by food (can perfectly control)
I need to understand if your problem is internal (heredity, other diseases) or external (foods) to proceed with management plan.
You can discuss this with your doctor and find out together what is causing high cholesterol in you.
Next, please keep in mind that having a total cholesterol or 200 or 240 does not mean it is in increasing range.
Another factor is the reading made by an automatic analyzer and the lab method used. You can discuss this issue with your doctor too.
Looking forward to have your hospital records in (all your lab tests, not only cholesterol numbers) for further evaluations!
Dr.Albana
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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