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Suggest Treatment For High Cholesterol Levels

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Posted on Mon, 14 Nov 2016
Question: I have recently done a full blood test and it indicates my cholesterol levels are more than normal range.
I want to understand how severe it is and what are the ways to improve it?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Life style changes & Follow up / may need drug ...

Detailed Answer:
Hi friend
Welcome to Health Care Magic

HDL is good cholesterol – higher, the better.
LDL is bad cholesterol – lower, the better. In the absence of any other risk factor 100 is ideal for LDL-C. In the presence of other diseases (especially Diabetes and/or established heart disease), 70 should be the aim.
     Keep your weight to normal / even a little less
     Quit smoking, if you are a smoker
     Do regular EXERCISE – say walking or jogging - 30 minutes a day / at least 5 days in a week. Isometric exercise (like bull worker) is bad.
     Healthy FOOD is a must. Avoid saturated fats – coconut oil, palm oil, butter, ghee, full cream milk...Avoid junk foods in particular – French fries have palm oil / Pizza has cheese / XXXXXXX sweets are made in ghee.../ Change to Poly-un-saturated oil – like sun flower oil. / Include Mono-un-saturated oil – Olive oil.
REPEAT THE TEST IN 2 TO 3 MONTHS.
     Cholesterol can still be high, in spite of diet and exercise – you need drugs; because it is also manufactured in the liver – and that is determined by heredity. Statin is the first choice. Some start it straight away – even with normal levels, even without problems (Primary Prophylaxis)
__________________________________________________________________
TRIGLYCERIDES
Your level is slightly high
The level is not alarming – Normal = less than 150 / Borderline = 150 to 199.
High = 200 to 499 / Very high = 500 or higher.

Repeat next time with full 14-hour fasting…
It is generally genetic [inherited /running in family]
Obesity / Diabetes / Thyroid insufficiency / Alcohol / over eating / some drugs like Beta-blockers / Diuretics are a few other causes.

The above measures cholesterol are often enough…
Eat fewer calories / Limit natural sugars / Eat small, frequent meals and do not skip meals
Avoid late-night snacking /
May add omega-3 fats in your diet – fatty fish (like mackerel, salmon, sardines, tuna) twice or more in a week / – soy foods, canola oil, flax seeds and walnuts / limit potatoes, yams, beans, corn and peas
__________________________________________________________________
Vitamin D is also deficient
Need supplementation – large weekly doses initially, followed by smaller maintenance doses…
Exposure to sunlight helps a lot…
Consult your doctor for appropriate prescription
________________________________________________________________

See a good dietician
They can help further in diet for cholesterol, Triglyceride and Vitamin D

Follow up with your physician

Good luck
God bless you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (16 hours later)
Thank you doctor for your kindly reply.
Does cholesterol level require immediate doctor attention or I can bring it to control myself?

kindly let me know your suggestion.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Attention - yes / immediate - No

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Cholesterol need definite attention
It is not urgent – earlier, the better

Life style changes help.. but limited effect….
If still high after 2 months of diet and exercise, you will need drugs
And for a log life, the care must be lifelong

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (24 minutes later)
Thank you for your response.
Is there any Vitamin-D that you can prescribe?

I will consult my family doctor for higher cholesterol.

Thank you very much.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Many OTC brands...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

There are several of them available Over The Counter (OTC)…
50 to 60 thousand units once a week for 4 to 6 weeks / follow up with 400 units daily / repeat the level after about 3 to 4 months (Specific brand names are discouraged in this service)

Regards
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Anantharamakrishnan

Cardiologist

Practicing since :1966

Answered : 4505 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For High Cholesterol Levels

Brief Answer: Life style changes & Follow up / may need drug ... Detailed Answer: Hi friend Welcome to Health Care Magic HDL is good cholesterol – higher, the better. LDL is bad cholesterol – lower, the better. In the absence of any other risk factor 100 is ideal for LDL-C. In the presence of other diseases (especially Diabetes and/or established heart disease), 70 should be the aim. Keep your weight to normal / even a little less Quit smoking, if you are a smoker Do regular EXERCISE – say walking or jogging - 30 minutes a day / at least 5 days in a week. Isometric exercise (like bull worker) is bad. Healthy FOOD is a must. Avoid saturated fats – coconut oil, palm oil, butter, ghee, full cream milk...Avoid junk foods in particular – French fries have palm oil / Pizza has cheese / XXXXXXX sweets are made in ghee.../ Change to Poly-un-saturated oil – like sun flower oil. / Include Mono-un-saturated oil – Olive oil. REPEAT THE TEST IN 2 TO 3 MONTHS. Cholesterol can still be high, in spite of diet and exercise – you need drugs; because it is also manufactured in the liver – and that is determined by heredity. Statin is the first choice. Some start it straight away – even with normal levels, even without problems (Primary Prophylaxis) __________________________________________________________________ TRIGLYCERIDES Your level is slightly high The level is not alarming – Normal = less than 150 / Borderline = 150 to 199. High = 200 to 499 / Very high = 500 or higher. Repeat next time with full 14-hour fasting… It is generally genetic [inherited /running in family] Obesity / Diabetes / Thyroid insufficiency / Alcohol / over eating / some drugs like Beta-blockers / Diuretics are a few other causes. The above measures cholesterol are often enough… Eat fewer calories / Limit natural sugars / Eat small, frequent meals and do not skip meals Avoid late-night snacking / May add omega-3 fats in your diet – fatty fish (like mackerel, salmon, sardines, tuna) twice or more in a week / – soy foods, canola oil, flax seeds and walnuts / limit potatoes, yams, beans, corn and peas __________________________________________________________________ Vitamin D is also deficient Need supplementation – large weekly doses initially, followed by smaller maintenance doses… Exposure to sunlight helps a lot… Consult your doctor for appropriate prescription ________________________________________________________________ See a good dietician They can help further in diet for cholesterol, Triglyceride and Vitamin D Follow up with your physician Good luck God bless you