Statins

Wibbles
Wibbles Online Community Member Posts: 3,182 Championing

To add to my health woes – I have just been told by my GP that I have high cholesterol and need to go on Statins – here are my Cholesterol readings…

I don’t know whether they are extremely high or not

Could someone explain to me ?

cholesterol.png

Comments

  • onmylonesome
    onmylonesome Online Community Member Posts: 410 Empowering

    Why don't you ask your gp to explain?

    I doubt anyone on here could explain!

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 7,610 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @Wibbles, it looks like this might be a question for your GP or someone at the surgery.

    If you click the links that say 'information about this test' it may give you an idea of what the normal reference limits are and what to expect from the test. But ultimately it's probably best to speak to someone who knows what they're looking at. Different people will be affected in different ways so they'll be able to look at your medical records and advise you from there.

    Hope you can get some clarity on it soon ☺️

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Online Community Member Posts: 3,182 Championing
    edited January 19

    That's a problem - I have a phone appointment with a pharmacy assistant in 2 weeks time - I don't seem able to get a face to face appointment with anyone these days - especially Doctors - this is despite not being able to speak on the phone - my wife/carer does all of the speaking for me !

    I have read that once on Statins - you are on them for life !

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 17,338 Championing

    You have 'good' cholesterol, i.e. HDL, & 'bad,' i.e. LDL cholesterol, & the 'serum cholesterol level' is the total cholesterol in your blood (both HDL and LDL) . Your result shows yours is 4, & less than 5.2 mmol/L would be considered the 'normal' range.

    For the serum triglycerides, yours is 1.36, with less than 2.3 mmol/L being again in the healthy range.

    For LDL on its own, yours is 2.3 & if you click on (information about this test) you may find the level that would be considered 'normal' if you can see your test results in an app or on your GP's website.

    With HDL, yours is 1.09, & it says it should be more than 1.45 mmol/L

    This only explains a little for you, so, as above, go over it with your GP.

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Online Community Member Posts: 3,182 Championing

    So it's only HDL that is out ?

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Online Community Member Posts: 3,182 Championing
  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 17,338 Championing

    Having a higher level of HDL can be 'protective' (women tend to have a higher amount than men), but above a certain level this doesn't help much any further. It seems to be from your test results that this is wished to be optimally higher than currently.

    I really can't comment further, as there are other variables that may come into play (& I don't know your medical history).

    Can I perhaps reassure that I've been on statins for 3 years, with no problem, &, in my case I'm reviewed every year. As statins can be preventative of cardiovascular disease, I consider they can be very important.

    I also (from personal experience) find pharmacists incredibly knowledgeable, & they may be able to answer any queries you have, which your wife can ask.