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[chickenanne]

Oh, some doctors/surgeries can be terrible, and not tell you anything about what you're being tested for/diagnosed with. They either assume you will understand, because they do, or assume you don't want to know.

Personally, I would always question doctors: I was tested a couple of years ago for a heriditary problem, one of the test is a bubble-echo-cardiogram, a positive means you have it, a negative that you don't. The doctor told me that it was a positive which was "good news, it means you don't have a hole in the heart" (that wasn't what I was tested for). If I hadn't questioned more and made her refer me to someone else am sure that I would've been undiagnosed.

[Angels4]

First I have to say that I'm not a doctor............But many of you might remember when I first joined the forum I asked about Diatomaceous Earth and the use for chickens. While doing research so I could locate DE locally I stumbled upon this web site http://www.earthworkshealth.com and found that the same DE we give our girls is also safe for human consumption so I started mixing a tablespoon of DE in my morning yogurt, I haven't been consistent with this practice, nor have I had my cholesterol checked in quite a while so I can't provide a testimonial on the health benefits, but I thought you might find this interesting.

 

Edited to add: I also just wanted to point out I've not had any ill effects from ingesting DE.

[Alis girls]

Cholesterol is only part of the equation. As aready mentioned LDL (the bad cholesterol) blocks up the arteries and the HDL (good chol) should be higher. In most of the GB population regardless of race colour etc LDL seems to be higher until someone start statins and that seems to correct it in most cases. Heriditary High chol is often impossible to rectify and even with strict dieting and exercise (which no ones mentioned) the fall is often minimal. Other factors like being diabetic complicate it futher as everything Blood Pressure, and chol need to be lower as the risks of Coronary heartDisease are much higher. Rule of thumb is if you have several risk factors eg smoking, high BP and high cholesterol and have tried to cut down stop smoking etc statins may be the only answer. However life is a risk and only you can decide what is best for you. It is a minefield as there are many scare stories re drugs and also bear in mind anything u read in newspapers and mags isnt always accurate and many things recommended aren't licensed for use in UK. Hope that helps

[Lesley]

You're right - I, for one, forgot to mention exercise!

 

I have hereditary high cholesterol which statins were only controlling if I took ever increasing amounts.........the only indicators i have are high cholesterol and I'm overweight. The fish oils worked for me - where diet alone didn't and statins haven't worked as well as I hoped. I should have made my own situation a bit clearer.

 

I do exercise now - and am losing weight.

[Christian]

I went to the Doctors recently after a few dizzy spells and a couple of fainting incidents

 

Lots of blood tests and he said my cholesterol level was spot on he was as surprised as me. January is usually a bad month due to chocolate consumption in December. Not that I limit myself to December

[chooklady]

I had mine checked about 18 months ago due to symptoms that could have been gall bladder related. It was 7.7, shock horror! Well after 3 miserable months of cutting down on lots of things there really wasn't much change at all,

My doctor was very good and after a lengthy talk I decided to give Statins a go, I can't remember the exact split between good and bad but I think it was around half and half.

I wasn't very keen on taking tablets but we had discussed diet and lifestyle. I do lots of walking, large dog, several miles a day. Yes I do eat butter, but not much, I don't eat processed foods and I eat lots of fish, red meat probably once a week I don't smoke but I do like a drink now and then but not excessive.

He said I seemed to be doing the right things and although I am a bit overweight he couldn't see that there was too much else I could change, he said it was probably a hereditory thing with me, my Mum and her sister both take statins. He said unless I wanted to live like a rabbit for the rest of my life then I should give the tablets a go. It was just below 5 last time it was checked. I'm fairly pleased with that.

[Happy chickens!]

We've had a big family debate about this following several articles, which of course I can't find, but the gist is here

http://www.saga.co.uk/health/healthyliving/medicinesandsupplements/statins-case-against.asp

 

My mum was getting aches, stopped taking them and is skipping around again!!

 

It's very difficult I think to find unbiased advice on this - and they keep changing the goalposts about what is a healthy level of cholesterol. Is worrying about it worse for your health than not knowing?!

[MedusA]

About 2 years ago, I had mine checked routinely by Occupational Health at work and they sent me to my GP as it was "high" (7 point something - can't remember exactly). The GP checked it and said it was OK as that was a total cholesterol figure, not broken down, and my levels overall were OK. Stupidly, I forgot to ask what the breakdown was.

 

As there is a history of Heart Disease in the family, I do take 75mgs Aspirin daily, but that is my decision, not prescribed.

 

I suppose I ought to get my cholesterol checked again. I am vegetarian, and eat healthily usually but do have a weakness for chocolate.

[miffy]

Having followed this thread with interest, when I went for HRT check today, asked about having cholesterol checked, did he think it was a good idea. I laughed when he said, he thought it was a good idea if it was high and we could then do something about it, but perhaps not such a good idea if it was only just over "acceptable" levels and people got all worked up and anxious about it .

Reminded me of a GP I saw years ago, I explained I was getting pain when I made a certain movement, so he said...dont do it then...I stopped doing it and the pain went away!!!

 

I am having bloods done in a couple of weeks

[Lesley]

We've had a big family debate about this following several articles, which of course I can't find, but the gist is here

http://www.saga.co.uk/health/healthyliving/medicinesandsupplements/statins-case-against.asp

 

My mum was getting aches, stopped taking them and is skipping around again!!

 

It's very difficult I think to find unbiased advice on this - and they keep changing the goalposts about what is a healthy level of cholesterol. Is worrying about it worse for your health than not knowing?!

 

You're right - it is extremely difficult to find unbiased advice. I'm very wary of the fact that GP's - or at least their Practices - are rewarded for prescribing statins

[iar fach goch]

Well, I went to see my own GP today, and explained that I had been told by another member of staff to go on a low fat diet folowing my 5.1 result. She immediately explained the different types of cholesterol and had a look at mine - my good cholesterol was really high while my bad was .1 too high. She also explained how cholesterol was only one factor in determinig future risk of heart disease and as all my other factors (such as blood pressure, family history etc) were fine that I had absolutely no need to consider changing my diet, and that I should continue to do exactly as I am now! She admitted that the other member of staff had overreacted and that there was no need for me to think of having another test for at least 5 years! I am now going to celebrate with a large bar of chocolate. Thanks for all the advice, I now know a great deal more about cholesterol and know to ask plenty of questions when visiting the doctor's!

[Lesley]

Excellent news!

[abwsco]

Great news and I hope you enjoyed your chocolate

[Egluntyne]

What a relief.

[Seagazer]

Thats really good news.

[Egluntyne]

Have booked to have mine done on Friday . *bites nails*

[Tiggy]

Reminded me of a GP I saw years ago, I explained I was getting pain when I made a certain movement, so he said...dont do it then...I stopped doing it and the pain went away!!!

 

i work with a GP like that he has been a Dr for years & years, not everyone appreciates his approach but he is normally right

[iar fach goch]

Good luck Egluntine, remember to fast for 12 hours before hand and make sure you ask plenty of questions when you get your results. Remember to let us know how you get on.

[Egluntyne]

I will. Thanks.