Cholesterol....why treat with bad drugs???

[spinn]

I have very high cholesterol. What worries me is that the side effects of lipitor and other statin drugs are................exactly the same as my primary problems.

Call me crazy but if my symptoms are severe fatigue, fibromyalgia-like pain, depression and weight gain should I be taking a drug whose side effects are severe fatigue, fibromyalgia-like pain, depression and weight gain??????

I want to lower it through diet and HRT as I have seen that works best.

By the way..I just looked at my diet...I typicaly consume about 50% of the USDA of cholesterol, meaning my body is producing it.

While I know our bodys' goes a little weird sometimes...it seems counterintuitive to suppress something my body is producing.

 

[JanSz]

I have very high cholesterol. What worries me is that the side effects of lipitor and other statin drugs are................exactly the same as my primary problems.

Call me crazy but if my symptoms are severe fatigue, fibromyalgia-like pain, depression and weight gain should I be taking a drug whose side effects are severe fatigue, fibromyalgia-like pain, depression and weight gain??????

I want to lower it through diet and HRT as I have seen that works best.

By the way..I just looked at my diet...I typicaly consume about 50% of the USDA of cholesterol, meaning my body is producing it.

While I know our bodys' goes a little weird sometimes...it seems counterintuitive to suppress something my body is producing.

Read this and do there some more search:
Cholesterol Reduction: Online References For Health Concerns

 

[hardasnails1973]

Read this and do there some more search:
Cholesterol Reduction: Online References For Health Concerns

Its called coenzyme q10 deficiency that drs never tell you about add in some coenzyme Q 100 200 mgs a day and it should alleviate this..

Ever see the lipitor comercial
side effects may include muscle weakness NO CRAP thats what low coenzyme q 10 causes. Drs are morons some time anything to push a drug and to make a quick buck. And then you have DO's dishing out paxil like its peds. Oh you do not feel good your stressed take a pill it will make you feel better. I told the dr to shove it up his ass and walked out. You complain of gastro intestinal problems tell them you had massive amounts of sushi 48 hours prior and you have anxiety and offer you paxil thats a freaken MORON.

 

[JanSz]

Read this and do there some more search:
Cholesterol Reduction: Online References For Health Concerns

Its called coenzyme q10 deficiency that drs never tell you about add in some coenzyme Q 100 200 mgs a day and it should alleviate this..

Ever see the lipitor comercial
side effects may include muscle weakness NO CRAP thats what low coenzyme q 10 causes. Drs are morons some time anything to push a drug and to make a quick buck. And then you have DO's dishing out paxil like its peds. Oh you do not feel good your stressed take a pill it will make you feel better. I told the dr to shove it up his ass and walked out. You complain of gastro intestinal problems tell them you had massive amounts of sushi 48 hours prior and you have anxiety and offer you paxil thats a freaken MORON.

Assuming that it is about CoQ10
and that you like to buy from LEF like I do
LEF just changed their CoQ10 formula (they always claim it is for the better) but probably still have the old stuff on shelves.

New formula:
Super Bioactive Coq10 Ubiquinol, 50 Mg 100 Softgels

 

[spinn]

I saw that about CoQ10 and agree with you about lipitor and paxil. I want to resolve the underlying issue....not cover it up and cause new ones.

I get CoQ10 from Discount Vitamins & Vitamin Supplements - SwansonVitamins.com (relora, glucosamine, red yeast rice, turmeric, stevia, coq10) . They have a hydrsoluble one that supposedly is the most easily absorbed of all forms.

My new dr yesterday told me TSH is the standard test for thyroid...I had to nearly beg for free T3 and free T4.....nice lady but shes convinced TSH is all you need.

 

[BigTom]

I have high cholesterol too. I take statin drugs, and have for 10 years. There are no side effects with 90% of the people that take them.
High Cholesterol is genetic. They could put you in a cage and feed you carrots, lettuce, and brocholli and you would STILL have high cholesterol. If you have tried statins and they cause muscle pain then you are SOL. For me, my cholesterol dropped form 320 to 105. on Vytorin, with absolutely NO SIDES. My numbers are perfect.
Yes M.D.'s can be dip****s. But statin drugs WORK. izza:

 

[hardasnails1973]

I have high cholesterol too. I take statin drugs, and have for 10 years. There are no side effects with 90% of the people that take them.
High Cholesterol is genetic. They could put you in a cage and feed you carrots, lettuce, and brocholli and you would STILL have high cholesterol. If you have tried statins and they cause muscle pain then you are SOL. For me, my cholesterol dropped form 320 to 105. on Vytorin, with absolutely NO SIDES. My numbers are perfect.
Yes M.D.'s can be dip****s. But statin drugs WORK. izza:

Great drive your cholesterol into the ground to 105 that real bright of your dr. Your numbers are in the range and "normal". Now you have no building blocks for hormones and increasing your chances of stroke greater then those with cholesterol over 240. Your cell membrane compostion is now all altered affecting hormone binding. Drs you goto love them. If fish oils do not work after 3-4 months and niacin then you might want to try drugs. It comes back to oh high cholesterol take a pill with out loking at lifestyle habits and making correction where need be. What about your Lp(A), homocystein levels, fibfrogen levels, crp, ft3, ft4, testosterone, dhea, insulin resitsance. Drs are so focused on choelsterol its a sin and need to open up there freaken eyes that choelsterol is the least indicator of problems and could be more of an indcator to other hormonal imbalnaces. Your cholesterol is great now how crappy are your hormones and thyroid. May be corecting the thyroid may all that might have been needed?

 

[BigTom]

Great drive your cholesterol into the ground to 105 that real bright of your dr. Your numbers are in the range and "normal". Now you have no building blocks for hormones and increasing your chances of stroke greater then those with cholesterol over 240. Your cell membrane compostion is now all altered affecting hormone binding. Drs you goto love them. If fish oils do not work after 3-4 months and niacin then you might want to try drugs. It comes back to oh high cholesterol take a pill with out loking at lifestyle habits and making correction where need be. What about your Lp(A), homocystein levels, fibfrogen levels, crp, ft3, ft4, testosterone, dhea, insulin resitsance. Drs are so focused on choelsterol its a sin and need to open up there freaken eyes that choelsterol is the least indicator of problems and could be more of an indcator to other hormonal imbalnaces. Your cholesterol is great now how crappy are your hormones and thyroid. May be corecting the thyroid may all that might have been needed?

I'm on HRT so I have a full blood workup every 3 months. Hence my: hormones, test, thyroid,
etc.,etc. get checked, and are generally, are perfect too.
Both my Dr's. and I are fully aware of the side effects of statins. He is a cardiologist. My endocrinologists keeps tabs on the long list of thyroid/ hormones/ My Urologist hanles Psa Prostae issues and writes my script for Test Cyp. I hate to disapoint you but, they got it ALL covered, Bro.
My doctor(s) are not idiots, however, many are.
I must disagree with your "increased risk of stroke" comment.

 

[hardasnails1973]

I'm on HRT so I have a full blood workup every 3 months. Hence my: hormones, test, thyroid,
etc.,etc. get checked, and are generally, are perfect too.
Both my Dr's. and I are fully aware of the side effects of statins. He is a cardiologist. My endocrinologists keeps tabs on the long list of thyroid/ hormones/ My Urologist hanles Psa Prostae issues and writes my script for Test Cyp. I hate to disapoint you but, they got it ALL covered, Bro.
My doctor(s) are not idiots, however, many are.
I must disagree with your "increased risk of stroke" comment.

Yopu glad to have a good group of drs that know what they are doing because Majority of them do not. There are some good ones and some bad ones its just the luck of the draw. I got yelled at for having my cholesterol below 150 by Dr kane and she is one of the worlds leading specialist on lipids. different people diffrent view as long as you are healthythat all that matters

 

[spinn]

Thanks for the post Tom I am glad that there are no side effects. I would tend to agree with hardasnails though and think that you should not get cholesterol below 160 as this seems to make things worse.

I do get concerned when the side effetcs are identical to the symptoms I am trying to fix.

I think that my body produces cholesterol and it is not just a bad diet.....question is....is my body producing it in a vain attempt to raise hormone levels?

There is a balance to evrything...I will probably end up on lipitor but will watch symptoms very closely.

 

[1cc]

I think that my body produces cholesterol and it is not just a bad diet.....question is....is my body producing it in a vain attempt to raise hormone levels?

This may very well be the case.

Call me crazy but if my symptoms are severe fatigue, fibromyalgia-like pain, depression and weight gain

Sounds like you may have Adrenal fatigue as well as other hormone deficiencies.

Pregnenolone is produced from cholesterol either via LH stimulation, or in the Adrenals. If you have Adrenal problems or low T, then you will probably have low pregnenolone. Supplementing pregnenolone (if you are deficient) will lower cholesterol.

Once you have corrected any hormone deficiencies, if you still have high cholesterol, then I highly recommend the following book:
"The New 8-Week Cholesterol Cure" - Robert E. Kowalski

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/New-8-Week-Cholesterol-Cure/dp/0060564601/ref=sr_1_1/102-9164061-0131343?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174089285&sr=1-1]Amazon.com: The New 8-Week Cholesterol Cure: Books: Robert E. Kowalski[/ame]

 

[spinn]

I do have adrenal fatigue, low testosterone, and low thyroid function.

That is the primary reason I am reluctant to just "cover up" high cholesterol with lipitor.

I am taking test creme, armour and isocort so things are getting better...I am just concened about side affects (of lipitor).

 

[hardasnails1973]

I do have adrenal fatigue, low testosterone, and low thyroid function.

That is the primary reason I am reluctant to just "cover up" high cholesterol with lipitor.

I am taking test creme, armour and isocort so things are getting better...I am just concened about side affects (of lipitor).

Increase soluable fiber in your diet as I have already previously mentioned in other posts because higher fiber will drop cholesterol thats a known fat. My choleserol is now at 133 vs 160 and i am pissed but do eat serving of beans as well as 12 grams of fiber from hemp seed protein a day, but i do eat lots of eggs and organic butter, red meat to dry and boost cholesterol. But the fiber is just binding it straight up and thats also helping to detox estrogen as well. As well as i practice stress reduction every night before going to bed stress drives cholesterol. Elevated cholesterol is more thyroid and testostterone related not adrenals

 

[1cc]

That is the primary reason I am reluctant to just "cover up" high cholesterol with lipitor.

Your concerns are correct and your approach is valid.

Taking HCG at 100iu per day will act like LH and will stimulate the testes to produce T as well as stimulate the production of pregnenolone from cholesterol. If you are primary hypogonodal (testes do not produce T), then instead of using HCG, you can supplement pregnenolone. When supplementing pregnenolone, you will need to monitor progesterone to ensure it does not go too high. Pregnenolone converts to cortisol, DHEA, progesterone, estrogen, aldosterone. Start out at 10mg and see how it goes. You will probably need to reduce your dosage of Isocort and DHEA after taking pregnenolone, because it converts to these. Reduce DHEA by the amount of pregnenolone you are taking 1-1.

Following is my current regimen and lab results:

100iu HCG subq every day in AM (APP Brand)
25mg T Cream every day in AM as described above
10mg pregnenolone every day in AM on empty stomach with salted water
5mg Hydrocortisone every day in AM on empty stomach with salted water
25mg DHEA every day in AM after breakfast with something oily

These labs were done 3 hours after HCG shot and T Cream:

Total T 611 241-827
Free T 212 34-194
Free and weakly bound T 428 84-402
Albumin 4.4 3.6-5.1
SHBG 15 8-46
Estradiol 31 13-54
Progesterone 1.1 <1.4

 

[JanSz]

Your concerns are correct and your approach is valid.

Taking HCG at 100iu per day will act like LH and will stimulate the testes to produce T as well as stimulate the production of pregnenolone from cholesterol. If you are primary hypogonodal (testes do not produce T), then instead of using HCG, you can supplement pregnenolone. When supplementing pregnenolone, you will need to monitor progesterone to ensure it does not go too high. Pregnenolone converts to cortisol, DHEA, progesterone, estrogen, aldosterone. Start out at 10mg and see how it goes. You will probably need to reduce your dosage of Isocort and DHEA after taking pregnenolone, because it converts to these. Reduce DHEA by the amount of pregnenolone you are taking 1-1.

Following is my current regimen and lab results:

100iu HCG subq every day in AM (APP Brand)
25mg T Cream every day in AM as described above
10mg pregnenolone every day in AM on empty stomach with salted water
5mg Hydrocortisone every day in AM on empty stomach with salted water
25mg DHEA every day in AM after breakfast with something oily

These labs were done 3 hours after HCG shot and T Cream:

Total T 611 241-827
Free T 212 34-194
Free and weakly bound T 428 84-402
Albumin 4.4 3.6-5.1
SHBG 15 8-46
Estradiol 31 13-54
Progesterone 1.1 <1.4

You are at ideal values as they come.
I know you do not use Arimidex, but do you use DIM+I3C, TMG, how much, what kind?
With so little of Tcream, your testis must be producing good amount.

Thank you for steering me to HCG and Tcream.
I am using 0.75grams of cream, approximating it with 1gram spoon and scraping it diagonally over the edge of container.
After a 41 days on HCG, 250IU every other day I am starting to suspect that my testis are possibly working again. My last known T level without anything was about TT=300

I may have to reduce on Tcream.
How do you measure 1/4 or 1/2 gram ?
I called womensinternational for smaller spoon, they do not have it. They offered different density Tcream. Different cream is not good answer, I have supply for about a year, would like to use it first.
I still have a large amount of Androgel "rotting" needlessly next to my bed, from my previous system.

How is your HCG, you are using (APP Brand).
My pharmacy offered that to me first, but I insisted on Novarel because somebody here said that APP does not work.
It may be a BS opinion since it works for you.
APP I could have had for about $40, instead Novarel about $60. It lasts long time, so it is not a big issue.

Within next two or so weeks I should have my new blood test,
I hope you will find a time to review it.

 

[1cc]

I know you do not use Arimidex, but do you use DIM+I3C, TMG, how much, what kind?

None.

I may have to reduce on Tcream.
How do you measure 1/4 or 1/2 gram ?
I called womensinternational for smaller spoon, they do not have it. They offered different density Tcream. Different cream is not good answer, I have supply for about a year, would like to use it first.

check this thread for measuring spoons:
http://anabolicminds.com/forum/male-anti-aging/55447-estradiol-test-kit.html#post667036

How is your HCG, you are using (APP Brand).

APP works fine.

Within next two or so weeks I should have my new blood test,
I hope you will find a time to review it.

Sure. Post them when you get them.

 

[colkurtz_spf]

I have very high cholesterol. What worries me is that the side effects of lipitor and other statin drugs are................exactly the same as my primary problems.

Call me crazy but if my symptoms are severe fatigue, fibromyalgia-like pain, depression and weight gain should I be taking a drug whose side effects are severe fatigue, fibromyalgia-like pain, depression and weight gain??????

I want to lower it through diet and HRT as I have seen that works best.

By the way..I just looked at my diet...I typicaly consume about 50% of the USDA of cholesterol, meaning my body is producing it.

While I know our bodys' goes a little weird sometimes...it seems counterintuitive to suppress something my body is producing.

I had high cholesterol too. I have been on CoQ10 for years, and although it may have helped it didn't sufficiently lower my number. My primary physician recommended Niacin. Unfortunately it brought my overall number down by lowering the good. My HRT doctor prescribed 1200 MG of Red Yeast Rice every night before bed and it did the trick.

 

[BigTom]

I had high cholesterol too. I have been on CoQ10 for years, and although it may have helped it didn't sufficiently lower my number. My primary physician recommended Niacin. Unfortunately it brought my overall number down by lowering the good. My HRT doctor prescribed 1200 MG of Red Yeast Rice every night before bed and it did the trick.

Brought your HDL up?

 

[JanSz]

I had high cholesterol too. I have been on CoQ10 for years, and although it may have helped it didn't sufficiently lower my number. My primary physician recommended Niacin. Unfortunately it brought my overall number down by lowering the good. My HRT doctor prescribed 1200 MG of Red Yeast Rice every night before bed and it did the trick.

Good tidbit, thank you.

Brand, where to buy, please post a link.

Are you supposed to take it forever or only for certain short time?

======================================================================
Red Yeast Rice
They mention:
Cholestin®—each capsule supplies 600 mg of red yeast rice
Herbalin Ruby Monascus®—each capsule supplies 500 mg of red yeast rice
But on Cholestin site they do not list Red Yeast Rice, hmmm scratching my head
.
Welcome to Pharmanex
.
Red Yeast Rice
.
LEF used to sell it, but no more????
Red Yeast Rice Extended Release 30 Tabs Natures Plus Item Catalog Number 20238
LEF Search - Welcome To The Life Extension Foundation Buyers Club Inc
also Item # 20798 discontinued

 

[colkurtz_spf]

Brought your HDL up?

Somewhat because the higher dose of Niacin was lowering it. He also prescribed Omegas.

 

[colkurtz_spf]

Good tidbit, thank you.

Brand, where to buy, please post a link.

Are you supposed to take it forever or only for certain short time?

======================================================================
Red Yeast Rice
They mention:
Cholestin®—each capsule supplies 600 mg of red yeast rice
Herbalin Ruby Monascus®—each capsule supplies 500 mg of red yeast rice
But on Cholestin site they do not list Red Yeast Rice, hmmm scratching my head
.
Welcome to Pharmanex
.
Red Yeast Rice
.
LEF used to sell it, but no more????
Red Yeast Rice Extended Release 30 Tabs Natures Plus Item Catalog Number 20238
LEF Search - Welcome To The Life Extension Foundation Buyers Club Inc
also Item # 20798 discontinued

I haven't been given a time frame so I assume it's forever. I buy the Vitamin Shoppe brand - the store is not far from my house. There are 240 600 mg caps to a bottle at a cost of $30. That would be roughly $7.50 per month.

 

[JanSz]

I haven't been given a time frame so I assume it's forever. I buy the Vitamin Shoppe brand - the store is not far from my house. There are 240 600 mg caps to a bottle at a cost of $30. That would be roughly $7.50 per month.

Thanks

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Now-Foods-Yeast-Extract-NF-103/dp/B000FA79TA]Amazon.com: Now Foods Red Yeast Rice Extract 1200 mg 60 tabs NF-103: Health & Personal Care[/ame]

Little more expensive, but I did not had to move my butt. (Order Grand Total: $31.58 )
(On a second thought, they are 1200mg pills) so I paid double.

But I will be :dance: 'ing tonigh.

And if I get sick of pills I can always go for Peking Duck (colored with Red Yeast Rice) and may be a Rice Vino.
-------------
Red Yeast Rice is commonly used in cooking applications to enhance the color and flavor of foods. Peking Duck is an example of the coloration and flavor imparted by Red Yeast Rice. NOW® Red Yeast Rice Extract is carefully produced to avoid the presence of citrinin, a sometimes toxic by-product of the fermentation process.
NOW Foods - Red Yeast Rice 1200 mg - 60 Tabs