Statin Intolerance: What did you do?

@pb50, I don't eat any sugary products like donuts so that wouldn't even tempt me! I agree, the lipid test should be done when fasting.

I cook with a little avocado oil from time to time and never eat fast food. Only cook from scratch. If I have any healthy grains like brown or wild rice, I may add a little homemade ghee or avocado oil, but mostly I'm eating an egg for breakfast, skinless chicken breast, skinless turkey, fish (salmon, cod, mahi mahi, shrimp), lots of greens, vegetables, berries, and green apples. I rarely eat beef or pork, except maybe once every 2 weeks. Periodically, I have a piece of homemade gluten-free toast. I have even stopped drinking alcohol except maybe a glass of bourbon once a week. No wine right now because of the carbs. So I'm at a loss as to why my cholesterol would be high, unless it's genetic. My dad had high cholesterolpb50 avocado oil from time to time and never eat fast food. Only cook from scratch. If I have any healthy grains like brown or wild rice, I may add a little homemade ghee or avocado oil, but mostly I'm eating an egg for breakfast, skinless chicken breast, skinless turkey, fish (salmon, cod, mahi mahi, shrimp), lots of greens, vegetables, berries, and green apples. I rarely eat beef or pork, except maybe once every 2 weeks. Periodically, I have a piece of homemade gluten-free toast. I have even stopped drinking alcohol except maybe a glass of bourbon once a week. No wine right now because of the carbs. So I'm at a loss as to why my cholesterol would be high, unless it's genetic. My dad had high cholesterol.

@hopeful33250, Thank you for that suggestion and link. I will check it out and ask my cardiologist about it. He's more open to using supplements vs. my family doctor who does not like supplements and prefers to prescribe FDA-approved drugs. I understand. He's a medical doctor, as is my cardiologist. But I am very sensitive to side effects from all the statins he's prescribed and prefer natural, alternative solutions. I don't have any blockage in my carotids and my triglycerides are normal. It's just the LDL that is high (over 250). I learned that eating more fish and drinking green tea are both natural approaches to lowering cholesterol and I have been drinking matcha green tea for more than a month now. I still have coffee from time to time, but not every day. And I get an hour of aerobic exercise in daily between the stationary bike and walking. I've also dropped 60 pounds which has helped with other aspects of my health.

Sounds like you’ve been doing great with your exercise and making adjustments to your diet.

My dad was in a similar situation—his cholesterol was normal but triglycerides were high. We learned that the “guidance” is if your numbers hit a certain amount, they’re medically supposed to recommend a statin to lower risk. He didn’t fare well on statins either, yet doctors keep saying, “statins, statins, statins,” just because of the formal “guidance.” I think it has to do with Medicare or federal guidelines.

He does a fiber supplement daily and we tried plant sterols (Cholesto-pure by Pure Encapsulations).

Actually, emo, statins are prescribed because of a lot of research - nothing to do with Medicare or federal guidelines, but they are supported by hundreds of thousands of medical professionals.

Here's a quick Mayo summary. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statins/art-20045772

Hello @jeridenn and welcome to Connect. High cholesterol numbers are concerning because we know how they can affect our cardiovascular system. I had been taking a statin for over 20 years and all of a sudden, my triglycerides, (which had been maintained under 170) hit a high of 300. It was uncertain as to why there was this sudden increase. There had been no change in my weight, lifestyle or stress.

My cardiologist prescribed a prescription-strength Omega 3 medication called Lovaza and in just 30 days the triglycerides were reduced to 120 and the other cholesterol numbers were also reduced. I had no side effects from this medication, and I've continued using it along with a statin prescription. Here is some information about Lovaza from the drugs.com website.

As you well know, everyone reacts to medications differently, I recognize that you might not have the same response as I have had, but if you have not tried this medication, you might consider asking your doctor about it.

@hopeful33250, Thank you for that suggestion and link. I will check it out and ask my cardiologist about it. He's more open to using supplements vs. my family doctor who does not like supplements and prefers to prescribe FDA-approved drugs. I understand. He's a medical doctor, as is my cardiologist. But I am very sensitive to side effects from all the statins he's prescribed and prefer natural, alternative solutions. I don't have any blockage in my carotids and my triglycerides are normal. It's just the LDL that is high (over 250). I learned that eating more fish and drinking green tea are both natural approaches to lowering cholesterol and I have been drinking matcha green tea for more than a month now. I still have coffee from time to time, but not every day. And I get an hour of aerobic exercise in daily between the stationary bike and walking. I've also dropped 60 pounds which has helped with other aspects of my health.

@pb50, I don't eat any sugary products like donuts so that wouldn't even tempt me! I agree, the lipid test should be done when fasting.

I cook with a little avocado oil from time to time and never eat fast food. Only cook from scratch. If I have any healthy grains like brown or wild rice, I may add a little homemade ghee or avocado oil, but mostly I'm eating an egg for breakfast, skinless chicken breast, skinless turkey, fish (salmon, cod, mahi mahi, shrimp), lots of greens, vegetables, berries, and green apples. I rarely eat beef or pork, except maybe once every 2 weeks. Periodically, I have a piece of homemade gluten-free toast. I have even stopped drinking alcohol except maybe a glass of bourbon once a week. No wine right now because of the carbs. So I'm at a loss as to why my cholesterol would be high, unless it's genetic. My dad had high cholesterolpb50 avocado oil from time to time and never eat fast food. Only cook from scratch. If I have any healthy grains like brown or wild rice, I may add a little homemade ghee or avocado oil, but mostly I'm eating an egg for breakfast, skinless chicken breast, skinless turkey, fish (salmon, cod, mahi mahi, shrimp), lots of greens, vegetables, berries, and green apples. I rarely eat beef or pork, except maybe once every 2 weeks. Periodically, I have a piece of homemade gluten-free toast. I have even stopped drinking alcohol except maybe a glass of bourbon once a week. No wine right now because of the carbs. So I'm at a loss as to why my cholesterol would be high, unless it's genetic. My dad had high cholesterol.

All oils damage the lining of the arteries as well as all the animal products you are eating— thats why your cholesterol is high. The more plant based u eat the better your numbers the evidence based science shows. The foods you are eating are causing inflammation in your body

Sounds like you’ve been doing great with your exercise and making adjustments to your diet.

My dad was in a similar situation—his cholesterol was normal but triglycerides were high. We learned that the “guidance” is if your numbers hit a certain amount, they’re medically supposed to recommend a statin to lower risk. He didn’t fare well on statins either, yet doctors keep saying, “statins, statins, statins,” just because of the formal “guidance.” I think it has to do with Medicare or federal guidelines.

He does a fiber supplement daily and we tried plant sterols (Cholesto-pure by Pure Encapsulations).

In reply to @emo, @hopeful33250, @rochelle369, and @mayoconnectuser1.
I do eat lots of fruits and vegies daily via salads and green vegs with lunch and dinner, snacking on celery in between. I don't eat refined carbs regularly, but break over to having a few crackers now and the, usually gluten free made with almond flour. I've been on a special diet protocol since Jan 2023 to reduce inflammation in my body and lose weight, which was successful, and I've continued to follow the diet but am adding raw nuts, whole grains, and fruits like red and green apples, bananas, berries, melons, citrus, avocados, etc. into my diet along with more wild-caught fish.

I have not taken any statins since the three I tried caused a multitude of side effects making it impossible to function at all. I am checking with my heart doctor about the Cholesto-pure. That may be a possibility to investigate.