Ok, so the Doc called today with my results....

**Colorado** · 12-02-2010 08:13 PM

Cholesterol over 400 - wants me to make an appointment to see her ASAP! (LOL)

I'm wondering just how bad "over 400" really is?

My entire family has high cholesterol; its in our genes I guess, I take Lipitor 40, and watch what I eat, when I eat - I almost never eat breakfast, and very seldon eat lunch, dinner is usually my only meal, and its typically a large salad, some red RARE meat, and veggies. I ALWAYS cut every bit of fat I can find off of the meat, NEVER eat chicken skin or anything like that, and I'm typically pretty cognisant of what I eat. ...and I don't really like sweets (rare occasions only).

Again, I do however love my red meat (Elk, Bison, Venison, and of course Beef), but it has to be raw or almost raw for me to really enjoy it. Does very lightly cooked meat contribute to high cholesterol?

**JustHormonious** · 12-02-2010 08:53 PM

Colorado, that number is tooo high. I assume this is your total cholesterol level, anything over 240 mg/dl is considered very high. You need to get your diet in check, that's for sure. Whether the meat is cooked or raw will not make a difference, it's the amount that you eat.

How often do you exercise?

How's your weight?

**WildChild** · 12-02-2010 09:34 PM

Oh Wow. Last time I was checked a 2 yrs ago my LDL was 113

With that diet, your number just doesn't make sense.
You should eat breakfast, a bowl of fruit or something.
I hope your doc has some ideas!

**Colorado** · 12-02-2010 10:57 PM

Yea, I have to check my schedule tomorrow and make an appointment to see her.
Weight is about right for my frame, but body mass or whatever its called says I'm a little overweight, but I've been htdrostaticly weighed and it says that I'm under... go figure.
I used to be big into body building/weight lifting so I'm sure it has a lot to do with the fact that lean muscle mass is heavier than fat.

I started years back with Niacin, then they switched me to 20mg Lipitor, then 30, now 40, maybe more next week :0) This runs in our family so I'm not all that worried about it really.
When the Big guy upstairs wants to talk with me, there is little I will be able to do to prevent meeting him. So I just go with it

**JustHormonious** · 12-02-2010 11:16 PM

OK Colorado, what kind of attitude is that? You should request a C-Reactive Protein test at your next appointment if it has not already been done. This way you can see if you have any inflammation issues going on inside.. As far as using niacin, what does your doctor say about it? Do you get hot flushes from it?

**Colorado** · 12-02-2010 11:29 PM

Love the flushes (looks like the best tan you have ever had

)- I was using about 1.5 grams/day (I know thats EXTREME) when I was lifting. Doctor originally had me on it for the cholesterol, but it didnt do enough for me, so she started me with the Lipitor.

**ItsASecret** · 12-02-2010 11:34 PM

No offense but at 400 I am surprised you have not a heart attack already, at cholesterol total of 250 with >160 LDL the docs get into worry mode. This is a case when "have a good diet" is not going to work, you are going to need to do what the doctor says because your diet should be working but it is clearly not. If genetics are the cause it is going to be an uphill battle.

**Colorado** · 12-02-2010 11:36 PM

I think it's a GOOD attitude :0) Seriously...

I refuse to eat garbage I don't like, or cut out the stuff I like just to live a few more years... I'd rather enjoy all of my time eating what I like and such, rather than living in misery. That's not a very good reason to extend your time - to live in misery longer, is it?

Got my butt handed to me last time I told that to my Doctor.... she didn't like that idea at all either; but I do stand by it. lol

**Colorado** · 12-02-2010 11:40 PM

Sisters, Brothers, Parents all have the same issue with high readings, all very much older than me, and all healthy as can be (other than the high reading), never had ANY Cardiacs in our family at all.
Guess our family is just weird like that.

**ItsASecret** · 12-02-2010 11:42 PM

I refuse to eat garbage I don't like, or cut out the stuff I like just to live a few more years... I'd rather enjoy all of my time eating what I like and such, rather than living in misery. That's not a very good reason to extend your time - to live in misery longer, is it?

Got my butt handed to me last time I told that to my Doctor.... she didn't like that idea at all either; but I do stand by it. lol

I follow the same general idea, and I do see it as a good attitude, we are all going to die might as well enjoy the ride while you are still on it. You are already doing what you should so I follow the idea of "If a food tastes good I am not letting it go leave me alone" lol. Sure a nutritionist would be PO'd but I ain't one nor do I fancy to talk to one so leave me and my tasty food alone, I do not want your styrofoam peanut tasting 'health saver' snacks lol.