1. < Heart & Blood Health

Anyone else out there with extremely high lipoprotein (a)?

Posted by csage1010 (Sue) @csage1010, Feb 21, 2022

Hi! I just found out that I have an extremely high lipoprotein (a) of 515 nmol/L. I'm terrified; it's that high. I'm 58 years old and my total cholesterol is 212. My LDL is 141, and my HDL is just 40. My cholesterol/HDL ratio is 5.3. Of course it's a long weekend and I may not be able to reach my doctor tomorrow. I have watched a couple of informational sessions online from various doctors discussing elevated LP(a), but no one mentions anything close to how high mine is. Is there anyone else out there with severely elevated Lp(a)? Thanking you in advance. Sue M.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 13, 2022
In reply to @whineboy "Hello Teresa, Thank you for citing that article entitled “ Statin therapy increases lipoprotein(a) levels”. I..." + (show)
@whineboy

Hello Teresa,

Thank you for citing that article entitled “ Statin therapy increases lipoprotein(a) levels”.

I am confused, the authors state statins increase Lp(a). At the end of the publication they say “In conclusion, this well powered study shows significant increases in Lp(a) following statin therapy, as well as an increase in apolipoprotein(a) production in cell culture studies with statins. We propose that future studies evaluate this phenomenon and physicians consider measuring Lp(a) pre- and post-first initiation of statin therapy. The adverse consequences of increases in Lp(a) levels post-statin therapy may play a role in the residual risk in patients treated with statins and should be evaluated in future studies.”

Makes me want to decrease my statin dose even further.

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Hi @whineboy,

I appreciate your pointing that out. I cited an incorrect link when I posted to you earlier today. I should have posted, https://www.atherosclerosis-journal.com/article/S0021-9150(19)31392-9/fulltext. This article states that in certain individuals it does increase the lipoprotein (a). It seems to be dependent on the apo phenotype.

The different studies certainly were confusing,

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1 reply
csage1010 (Sue) | @csage1010 | Mar 14, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "Cooked beans and lentils have not had a noticeable effect on blood sugar, but they always..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Cooked beans and lentils have not had a noticeable effect on blood sugar, but they always combined with a wide variety of other vegetables, so they are only one part of the meal, much as a serving of meat would be. Even our pea soup is 1/3 green & yellow peas, 2/3 other vegetables like onions, carrots, celery & rutabaga.
Sue

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Sounds delicious.

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csage1010 (Sue) | @csage1010 | Mar 14, 2022
In reply to @vic83 "Yuck to the stuff on the shelf! I always make my own. It is easy. Just..." + (show)
@vic83

Yuck to the stuff on the shelf! I always make my own. It is easy. Just mix olive oil and balsamic vinegar. SECRET => buy quality olive oil and vinegar.

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There are a couple of Annie’s dressings that I like; the sodium content is modest compared with most others, but they are made with canola oil so no more of those. I will have to learn to like balsamic vinegar, which I am sure I can do.

REPLY
whineboy | @whineboy | Mar 14, 2022
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hi @whineboy, I appreciate your pointing that out. I cited an incorrect link when I posted..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hi @whineboy,

I appreciate your pointing that out. I cited an incorrect link when I posted to you earlier today. I should have posted, https://www.atherosclerosis-journal.com/article/S0021-9150(19)31392-9/fulltext. This article states that in certain individuals it does increase the lipoprotein (a). It seems to be dependent on the apo phenotype.

The different studies certainly were confusing,

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Hello Teresa,

I finally worked through that very technical article. I'm not sure if it is relevant to the general population, 85% of participants were caucasian, ~ 86% of the 81 participants had familial hypercholesterolimia, and ~ 19% were smokers. The authors noted the small size and observational nature of the study (not an RCT) were limiting. Yes, the study showed that for those with the LMW apo(a) phenotype, whatever that is 🙂 , statins increased Lp(a) significantly, but not for those with the HMW apo(a) phenotype. Interestingly, the paper did not identify the statins used or their dosages.

I was pleased to see the authors noted that reduced fat intake and shifting from dietary saturated fat to unsaturated fat was previously associated with increased Lp(a).

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 14, 2022
In reply to @whineboy "Hello Teresa, I finally worked through that very technical article. I'm not sure if it is..." + (show)
@whineboy

Hello Teresa,

I finally worked through that very technical article. I'm not sure if it is relevant to the general population, 85% of participants were caucasian, ~ 86% of the 81 participants had familial hypercholesterolimia, and ~ 19% were smokers. The authors noted the small size and observational nature of the study (not an RCT) were limiting. Yes, the study showed that for those with the LMW apo(a) phenotype, whatever that is 🙂 , statins increased Lp(a) significantly, but not for those with the HMW apo(a) phenotype. Interestingly, the paper did not identify the statins used or their dosages.

I was pleased to see the authors noted that reduced fat intake and shifting from dietary saturated fat to unsaturated fat was previously associated with increased Lp(a).

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I appreciate you sharing your thoughts about the article, @whineboy. I agree that the most important thing in our health has to do with our lifestyle decisions.

Eating well and exercising is vital.

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vic83 | @vic83 | Mar 14, 2022

I am watching salt too so I don't even add salt or pepper to my olive oil/balsamic vinegar mix. I can't find it now but at one time I was using fig balsamic vinegar and was that good. I liked it with salads that have fruit in them. Of course I am using imported 100% extra virgin Italian olive oil and balsamic vinegar. And forget butter. I put olive oil on corn on the cobb even. And olive oil on rustic bread is yummy. FYI for all, lemon juice is a great substitute for salt on things

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glennose | @glennose | Mar 14, 2022

That study says that statins significantly INCREASE LP(a). Please post accurately

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2 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 14, 2022
In reply to @glennose "That study says that statins significantly INCREASE LP(a). Please post accurately" + (show)
@glennose

That study says that statins significantly INCREASE LP(a). Please post accurately

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@glennose

I appreciate your comment. You will note that I corrected the link to reflect one that stated exceptions to that based on further studies. The information is complicated.

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 14, 2022
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@glennose I appreciate your comment. You will note that I corrected the link to reflect one..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

@glennose

I appreciate your comment. You will note that I corrected the link to reflect one that stated exceptions to that based on further studies. The information is complicated.

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@hopeful33250, thank you for reporting the incorrectly cited study. I have updated your post with the correct study.
cc @glennose @whineboy

Whineboy, I also worked my way through the paper and agree that its findings are limited to a segemented portion of the general population. A quick scan of recent studies regarding statins and lipoprotein(a) levels results in confusing and conflicting messages. When faced with conflicting information, I discuss with my doctor(s), share my concerns and work together to find what is applicable to me.

I think you might be interested in also joining the conversations in this group:
- LCHF Living & Intermittent Fasting https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/lchf-living-intermittent-fasting/

REPLY
ahoura9 | @ahoura9 | Mar 20, 2023

How to lower lipoprotein (a) naturally.
what is the best diet to follow?
Is L-carnitine helpful and which brand and dosage?
Can taking Tums Ex to complement required calcium intake interferes by depositing in the arteries?
Thank you for your insights.

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