Ldl the bad cholesterol

[grante]

My doc wants me on statins even though my cholesterol is in the normal range because people with our condition need to see a number of 4.

Lol is the bad cholesterol according to my nurse and needs to be reduced....
I asked her for a ldl particle test and she looked blank at me. I explained if I had high ldl "a" the big fluffy stuff then I will not be considering statins, however if my ldl "b" particles are high then I am prepared to have another conversation about my cholesterol.

Has anyone here asked for an LDL particle test in the UK???
And if not why not ??

 

[Deleted Account]

My doc explained to me that research has shown that statins reduce heart disease for people with diabetes who are over 40 and not very active.
There have been no research involving active people over 40 with diabetes.

So I politely declined the offer and she has been very happy with me going to the gym, climbing and walking everywhere.

So I never had to have the debate about hdl, ldl, a particles, b particles, total cholesterol, etc.

 

[NicoleC1971]

My total is 7 and I did ask for the particle test and calcium scan (see actual disease and not just the ldl proxy for it). Was told there was no point because ALL diabetics have atheroschlerosis. Felt stupid but not stuoid enough to take a statin which will lower my HDL (high) as well as reduce ldl.

 

[hankjam]

I'm in the same boat, TC greater than 9 than TriGs and HDL are okay, so am wondering about a profile.... be interested to hear how you get on.

Good luck to you, whatever way it goes.

Hj

 

[bulkbiker]

Has anyone here asked for an LDL particle test in the UK???
And if not why not ??

Yes I asked... they had never heard of it.
I'm not even sure if you can get one privately in the UK.
You can
https://www.invivoclinical.co.uk/products---services/lab-diagnostics/advanced-nmr-lipids-lipoprofile
http://www.smartnutrition.co.uk/hea...iovascular-risk-assessment/cv-health-profile/
but medi checks don't offer it so far as I can see.

 

[ziggy_w]

Hi @grante,

I believe that your trigliceride numbers and your trig/hdl ratio can serve as proxy for ldl particle size. If you are interested, below are two articles talking about this.

http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/circulationaha/82/2/495.full.pdf
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/diacare/23/11/1679.full.pdf

I have also seen a youtube presentation about this -- probably either by Ivor Cummins or by Malcolm Kendrick (unfortunately don't remember which of the two).

 

[Resurgam]

There was a rebellion against statins in France, and the death rate - predicted to go up, actually went down, so until I get an explanation of that I will not be taking statins.
They made me feel ill, but that - apparently is not a good enough excuse.
Neither is my dreadful loss of memory - though it is recovering a bit now, after 10 months off the tablets.

 

[grante]

Yes I asked... they had never heard of it.
I'm not even sure if you can get one privately in the UK.
You can
https://www.invivoclinical.co.uk/products---services/lab-diagnostics/advanced-nmr-lipids-lipoprofile
http://www.smartnutrition.co.uk/hea...iovascular-risk-assessment/cv-health-profile/
but medi checks don't offer it so far as I can see.

Thank you. I am going to get the test done for my own peace of mind. Thanks for the links

 

[bulkbiker]

Just found this too

"The question is relevant because a recent systematic review of 19 cohort studies including 68 094 elderly people (≥60 years) followed for several years found an inverse association between all cause mortality and LDL cholesterol in 92% of participants. In the largest study those with the highest LDL cholesterol lived longer than those taking statins."

My bolding..

from here, a fairly reliable source one hopes..

http://www.bmj.com/content/359/bmj.j4906.full?ijkey=CMcSRc6dQjSzuOo&keytype=ref

 

[grante]

It's shocking for me that Doctors prescribe statins just on an ldl c figure

 

[bulkbiker]

It's shocking for me that Doctors prescribe statins just on an ldl c figure

Its shocking for me that doctors prescribe statins when they don't even begin to understand the mechanisms of how they work or what they do.
For the most part they look at a total cholesterol number and say "statins" or even worse see a Type 2 diagnosis and say "statins".

 

[grante]

Its shocking for me that doctors prescribe statins when they don't even begin to understand the mechanisms of how they work or what they do.
For the most part they look at a total cholesterol number and say "statins" or even worse see a Type 2 diagnosis and say "statins".

That's what's happened to me. It would be nice to talk to a doctor who thinks outside the guide lines .

 

[bulkbiker]

That's what's happened to me. It would be nice to talk to a doctor who thinks outside the guide lines .

They are few and far between.. I personally just read a load of stuff and decided no statins ever. After getting a CAC scan I was even more convinced.

 

[serenity648]

When i went for my first appointment with the DN she handed me a pre-printed prescription for metformin, statins and blood pressure tablets as all T2's are supposed to take them.

I need a shocked emoticon. Each time I see here (annual check coming up) she still offers me the meds and i have to formally say no so she can tick the box on the screen to say I have refused. My blood pressure is normal and my total cholesterol is 5.

 

[Circuspony]

I'm a newly diagnosed T 1 in my 40s and was told my cholesterol was high. It's 4.8 which I believe is fine for the general population but they like diabetics below 4. I also refused the offer of statins saying we could reassess next year. Interesting article links above - I shall read and will hopefully be more prepared next time round.

 

[grante]

I am due my HBA1C test in a couple of weeks i am really interested to see what lchf has done for my cholesterol levels !

 

[grante]

They are few and far between.. I personally just read a load of stuff and decided no statins ever. After getting a CAC scan I was even more convinced.

Where did you get your scan done please and was it expensive?

 

[derry60]

My total is 7 and I did ask for the particle test and calcium scan (see actual disease and not just the ldl proxy for it). Was told there was no point because ALL diabetics have atheroschlerosis. Felt stupid but not stuoid enough to take a statin which will lower my HDL (high) as well as reduce ldl.

Did she not tell you that everybody has some atherosclerosis whether you are diabetic or not? LOL..It is very unusual not to have some as we get older.

 

[Pinkorchid]

I'm a newly diagnosed T 1 in my 40s and was told my cholesterol was high. It's 4.8 which I believe is fine for the general population but they like diabetics below 4. I also refused the offer of statins saying we could reassess next year. Interesting article links above - I shall read and will hopefully be more prepared next time round.

I was told by my doctor that for diabetics they like it below 5

 

[bulkbiker]

Where did you get your scan done please and was it expensive?

Rivers hospital in Hertfordshire It cost £225 in March this year
https://www.rivershospital.co.uk/treatments/ct-calcium-scoring