My cholesterol has shot up since taking prednisone. Has anyone else experienced this? My triglycerides are really high. I haven’t gained weight. I exercise/walk. My diet is low carb…no desserts, mostly egg whites, vegetables and protein. I have a small glass of wine with dinner…I can stop that. I have heard 3 tsp of Metamucil can lower cholesterol. Currently I am taking 15 mg of prednisone daily and my inflammatory markers have returned to normal. Will this resolve itself when I am on a really low dose?
I’d ask your primary physician if you could get a fasting blood sugar and fasting lipid profile. Triglyceride and blood sugar levels change all day long.
Liked by John, Volunteer Mentor, Dr.Tim in Arizona
@jth4d, I agree with @virginiaj. My Mayo primary care doctor always does my annual labs with a fasting blood sugar and fasting lipid profile. I have to limit the types of food I eat for my previous evening meal and eat nothing after 7 pm. They usually schedule my fasting labs first thing in the morning so I can eat afterwards. Here's some information I found that may be helpful.
Cholesterol test: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cholesterol-test/about/pac-20384601
Eating to Lower Triglycerides (PDF): https://www.uwhealth.org/healthfacts/nutrition/361.pdf
I stopped drinking all alcohol due to other health problems and it is one of the things that can raise triglycerides and sugar levels.
Liked by Colleen Young, Connect Director
@virginiaj
Is your blood sugar elevated as well? Prednisone can raise blood sugar, which in turn can raise triglcerides, which can raise total cholesterol. I would check with your primary care physician and have them compare current lipid profile and blood sugar with one taken before you started prednisone. I worked as a dietitian for 30 years before retirement and knew some things to try, but needed more info than total cholesterol.