What do you take for Cholesterol Control? (NAFLD)

@gema98, I want welcome you to Mayo Connect. I wonder if you have been recently diagnosed with NAFLD or PBC as I read in your profile. (Thank you for completing your profile - Member Profiles are extremely helpful when trying to connect with others with similar health issue) )
First - I have to ask an off-topic question! Gema, is that your name? I have a great niece named Gemma! Love it!

I'm a grandma, and was diagnosed with a liver disease 20+ years ago. My disease was progressive and had to have a transplant in 2009. However, I remember when I was early in diagnosis, my PCP prescribed cholesterol medication because my readings were off the chart. I don't remember the numbers, but enough to concern him. At some point along my disease progression, one of the specialists that I was seeing took me off of it because he said that with my disease, it was to be expected. I don't remember what I had been taking, and I don't remember who or when that happened, or whether it was before or after listing for a transplant. Anyway after my transplant my cholesterol numbers went down to near normal on their own. I do take a cholesterol med now, though.

@gema98, Have you been to a GI (Gastroenterologist? Why are you not comfortable with the medication that your PCP has ordered?

Hi I have been on Mayo’s site before but not for a couple of months. My name is Gail Duffey and the grandchildren call me GeMa. Yes I have been diagnosis with both and compensated cirrhosis last year. Been having BP issues also on 2 pills for that, have lost 75lbs and #’s running 106/73 and I feel I could get off of one but Dr said no. Also has prescribed injection for cholesterol insurance denied, now 2 other pills even though it’s gone down last 6 months. I wish my hepatologist would take over all my meds. I’m just not comfortable as there’s been other issues. This disease is nothing to guess at for care. Thank You

Hi Gail, it's so important to have confidence in your doctor and to be able to work together. I'm tagging other members who have experience with NAFLD and cirrhosis who may be able to share their strategies and treatments for controlling cholesterol, like. @jeanne5009 @trellg132 @rashida @jessiccab

Congrats on losing the weight and reducing your blood pressure. Have you discussed goals with your doctor? Is pill reduction a possibility in the future if your numbers continue to improve due to lifestyle changes?

Thank you very much! I sent a message to my hepatologist and he said we will discuss when he’s in town for my April appointment. For now just keep eating the Mediterranean diet. I’ll take all the information I can get on this subject.

Update: My hepatologist said I do not need a statin, my compensated liver causes the cholesterol issue. I also now have dry mouth and dry eyes but I manage that with drinking water and Systane eye drops. I try to eat healthy similar to he Mediterranean Diet but absolutely no alcohol which I never liked. I exercise once in awhile, as a widow I take care of all my everyday home maintenance. So far I feel very fortunate I am asymptomatic, I do seem to get tired and fall asleep while watching an afternoon movie on TV.

I take a PCSK9 inhibitor called Repatha. I have genetic cholesterol(FH). Its a twice a month injection. 3 years now with no side effects. My drug plan did not cover when I first started so I switched my drug plans to one that does. I had to switch during the open enrollment. I do not have liver problems but the data says that the trials did not indicate liver issues. I cannot take statins without adverse side effects.

I take a statin for cholesterol Crestor

@gema98 I have had fatty liver disease for about twenty (or more) years. When I was first diagnosed I was prescribed a statin but a few years later I stopped taking it because I had read it leads to other problems. Decided I could live with the disease without the side effects caused by the statin.

Recently I had an abdominal ultrasound which indicated scarring of the liver has started. I have been referred for a liver biopsy which I will have next week. Will see what the results of that are going to be.

I take NO sugar and NO Gluten and watched my numbers take a nose dive.