Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes High Cholesterol, High Triglycerides And Hypoglycemia?
Question: Hi,
I am a healthy woman in my mid-30's. I have never been overweight and I'm fairly active. However, I have had high cholesterol and high triglycerides since I began testing at age 30. My parents also have high cholesterol and they take prescribed statins. Because I am of child-bearing age, I am hesitant to take prescription statins. I've found that by taking fish oil and red yeast rice as well as increasing cardio exercise, I can keep my lipid numbers within normal range... barely. Because I'm not sure how safe red yeast rice is when I become pregnant, I'd like to eliminate that supplement. But I've learned that, after stopping the supplement, I begin to experience episodes of hypoglycemia. I do not have diabetes. What is the correlation? Is taking the red yeast rice doing me more harm than good? Or do I need this natural statin to control my blood sugar? I didn't think statins were used for blood sugar. Should I be concerned about these hypoglycemic episodes or is this fairly normal at this point in my life? I eat 3 meals a day with a snack or two in between meals. I hope to find some answers. These hypoglycemic episodes can be frightening.
I am a healthy woman in my mid-30's. I have never been overweight and I'm fairly active. However, I have had high cholesterol and high triglycerides since I began testing at age 30. My parents also have high cholesterol and they take prescribed statins. Because I am of child-bearing age, I am hesitant to take prescription statins. I've found that by taking fish oil and red yeast rice as well as increasing cardio exercise, I can keep my lipid numbers within normal range... barely. Because I'm not sure how safe red yeast rice is when I become pregnant, I'd like to eliminate that supplement. But I've learned that, after stopping the supplement, I begin to experience episodes of hypoglycemia. I do not have diabetes. What is the correlation? Is taking the red yeast rice doing me more harm than good? Or do I need this natural statin to control my blood sugar? I didn't think statins were used for blood sugar. Should I be concerned about these hypoglycemic episodes or is this fairly normal at this point in my life? I eat 3 meals a day with a snack or two in between meals. I hope to find some answers. These hypoglycemic episodes can be frightening.
Brief Answer:
hypoglycemia would need assessment
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Red yeast rice is helpful for high cholesterol. As you mentioned, if you are planning to conceive then you should discontinue it.
The active ingredient in red yeast rice is monacolin K which is the active ingredient in a statin , lovastatin.
This means that it acts by a method similar to the statin so it cannot be used in pregnancy.
This does not mean it is doing harm at the moment because reducing high cholesterol is very beneficial in preventing stroke and heart disease.
In terms of blood sugars- statins have been reported to cause an increase in blood sugar in a few persons.
Since red yeast rice has statin effects, it is possible, though not proven, that consistent use would cause an increase . Expanding from this theory may mean that discontinuing it may cause a decrease but it should not cause hypoglycemia.
At the moment there is no medical evidence.
Statins are not used for high blood sugar.
If you are experiencing documented hypoglycemia (less than 70 mg/dl), then you should consider visiting your doctor for assessment
Hypoglycemia can be due to: (1)diabetics- excess medication vrs calories
(2)side effect of medication
(3)insulin secreting tumors of the pancreas
(4)persons with a history of gastrointestinal surgery
(5)renal disease
(6)congenital enzyme deficiencies
(7)hormonal diseases such as cortisol deficiency, glucagon deficiency, thyroid disease
To determine the cause, you would need to be assessed by your doctor and blood tests done.
Imaging may also be needed.
I hope this helps,feel free to ask any other questions
hypoglycemia would need assessment
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Red yeast rice is helpful for high cholesterol. As you mentioned, if you are planning to conceive then you should discontinue it.
The active ingredient in red yeast rice is monacolin K which is the active ingredient in a statin , lovastatin.
This means that it acts by a method similar to the statin so it cannot be used in pregnancy.
This does not mean it is doing harm at the moment because reducing high cholesterol is very beneficial in preventing stroke and heart disease.
In terms of blood sugars- statins have been reported to cause an increase in blood sugar in a few persons.
Since red yeast rice has statin effects, it is possible, though not proven, that consistent use would cause an increase . Expanding from this theory may mean that discontinuing it may cause a decrease but it should not cause hypoglycemia.
At the moment there is no medical evidence.
Statins are not used for high blood sugar.
If you are experiencing documented hypoglycemia (less than 70 mg/dl), then you should consider visiting your doctor for assessment
Hypoglycemia can be due to: (1)diabetics- excess medication vrs calories
(2)side effect of medication
(3)insulin secreting tumors of the pancreas
(4)persons with a history of gastrointestinal surgery
(5)renal disease
(6)congenital enzyme deficiencies
(7)hormonal diseases such as cortisol deficiency, glucagon deficiency, thyroid disease
To determine the cause, you would need to be assessed by your doctor and blood tests done.
Imaging may also be needed.
I hope this helps,feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
