cholesterol good level.....bad level?

Treatment and medication
1

Could anyone say what is a good or bad level for an individual.my level was reduced from 7.5 to 3.5 by statins and I became almost immobile by it. I am 58 5ft6" 8st very active (before lowering my cholesterol to, too low) my joints may never recover. I have discontinued the statins and will. Just reduce my carbs and test my own cholesterol. It is 6.11 at present which according to recent studies is not excessive.

2

Chris, it is the LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good cholesterol) levels that are important, so do ask for a breakdown of those readings.  Generally the higher the HDL in proportion to the LDL, the better.  My cholesterol is 7.1 but I'm reluctant to take statins because I am in remission from an auto immune illness that manifested itself in very inflamed and painful muscles, and I am aware of people with the same condition who say they were so diagnosed following being prescribed statins.

One friend has reduced her cholesterol from 7.2 to 6.2 after a very short time on Benecol, and I do know others who say it helps.  Apparently the plant sterols it contains is known to lower cholesterol.  I tried it but it seemed to cause a bit of a loose bowel for me.  You can also buy the Benecol or Flora Pro-active spreads.  Good luck and do come back and let us know how you get on.

3

I wouldnt wrorry at all about that. Mine was 15.9!! I was put on fenofibrate and statins but have stopped the stains due to muscle aches that were really bad in my arm.triglycerides were 28.5 at highest and apparently should be no higher than 1.9 so were dramatically and drastically raised and I am not a drinker, barely touch alcohol so must be a genetic thing. I am seeing lipid consultant again tomorrow and not looking forward to telling him I have binned the statins but it is my decision.my heart seems ok so I am not bothered but your level is fine x

4

Thanks, hope you get on ok with lipid consultant. I feel ok re my levels after reading up about things/ clinical trials etc. Was fascinated with the latest Cholesterol Scam theories! I was put on Atorvastatin following a mild heart attack last Oct but I am certain the heart attack was due to STRESS not CHOLESTEROL.

5

I had mini strokes but they were due to a certain type of medication that was later banned! Vioxx - I should have sued, was really scary x

6

Thanks for the reply. I am a little reluctant about the plant sterols/ margarines etc because some researchers are so negative and feel they are as bad as other Statins. Will have to read more.