Anyone else out there with extremely high lipoprotein (a)?
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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314,
Are you taking a statin? Age?
I also read on the American Heart Association website that there is no difference in outcome for Lp(a) being high or normal if the blood pressure is at sufficiently low levels without medication, so I will be working on my physical fitness, so I can eventually ditch the blood pressure medication and the risk due to my high Lp(a).
I don't know that anything outside of filtering Lp(a) out of the blood is going to be effective. I did see a study that I thought was actually from Mayo that said that if you got the LDL-C sufficiently low enough that the risk was only slightly higher of issues from high Lp(a). Everyone is different for certain.
WELCOME to Mayo Connect @peugh314! I see you have shared a lot of information regarding high Lipoprotein (a) here with others. From what I know, which honestly isn't much, there is no dietary or exercise program that can help with high levels of Lp (a), but there certainly are no downsides to eating a healthy diet and maintaining an active lifestyle. Lipoprotein apheresis seems like the only approved therapy. Also from what I have read, the Lp (a) test is not part of a routine lipid panel, and therefore many may have this and not know it, so I am glad you brought up some of your insights for others to think about and ask their doctor if they think it is appropriate to test for this. I think we have to be careful when we recommend supplements and such because we are not doctors here, and what is good for one may not be good for another, you know what I mean? As for the Seventh Day Adventist Diet, you certainly do not have to attend the church to find out about their dietary guidelines/restrictions, it is online in many places for others to explore. There has been a 60 year long-term study done on the SDA diet, and they show the benefits of eating clean, plant-based food.
https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-is-the-seventh-day-adventist-diet
Here is a quick read I found from WebMD regarding the SDA diet that may be helpful, and this is just one of many online articles out there. It is not a cure, as you stated, but it certainly can't hurt either! Do you have a history of any of the other risk factors? How did your doctor come to order the test for you?
Visit a Seventh Day Adventist Church and try to learn how they eat. Also, search up additional info about Blue Zones. I wound up doing those things and wound up joining the church about a year afterwards after listening to Mark Fox, but they will not pressure you to join.
I am 52 almost 53 and just found out that I have a high Lp(a) reading as well. Looking up the Pauling Protocol. I have been taking 2000 mg Vitamin C for decades now. It also helps with gum disease. Have her eat walnuts (or almonds, pistachios, cashews, macadamia nuts, etc.) 2 to 3 times a week, get plenty of sunshine for Vitamin D, start Vitamin C and eat more vegetables. Ditch sodas! Drink only unsweetened tea with sweet-n-low, coffee, or water. Avoid fruit juices where fiber has been removed. Control the things you can. Get the LDL down. There are studies that indicate that a lower LDL will reduce the teeth in a high Lp(a). Look into lipid aphoresis to buy time if needed.
I have read that fasting has no effect on Lp(a). I know that it doesn't help mine which was 125 mg/dl. I am 52, and the doctors who have checked my neck and heart seem to think that they sound OK. In any event, I have been taking 2000 mg of C for at least 26 years. A dentist who later committed suicide put me on it. I have also read about the Linus Pauling Protocol of taking 3000 mg of Vitamin C and 3000 mg of L-lysine which I am taking spaced out. Sadly, I didn't even know about the Lp(a) until this year. I have also taken Vitamin D at 5000 iu for several years and high dose fish oil. I have tried to stay fit. I was able to reverse pre-diabetes for several years although it has been creeping up slightly with Statin use.
Mine has tested twice as greater than 600. Cardiologist wanted to put me on Leqvio but insurance company made me jump through hoops with other meds since Leqvio isn’t in their formulary. He says in a year there will be better meds to lower Lipoprotein a but until then we’re seeing if my insurance company will cover Praluent or Repatha.
Look up Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn and Dr. Dean Ornish on YouTube or their books.
Do it for diet for yourself and her (you will feel great and help her) along with the medicines your/her doctors recommend (don’t skip doctor recommendations or medicines if prescribed).
Primal Kitchen makes great salad dressings with avocado oil, and I recently found some California Olive Ranch dressings that only have olive oil in them.