High cholesterol

yuri2

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go and see polyclinic dr.
i'm on atorvastatin.
Medicine is dirt cheap, like 10c a tablet.
 

mummynew

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I am still trying to digest the part on plant sterol.

The most informational part so far is the part on high HDL. Most always say the higher the better (almost all GP say this) though i came across some articles that say it's not the case. Then this vid is talking about men if above 60 have to be careful about whether they are 'hyper absorbers' of cholesterols.

*my brother in law (60+ yo) if dont take eggs/more fatty meats, LDL is 120, and if take those, LDL will shoot to 180. He has high HDL of around 80. So he may be one of those 'hyper absorbers'. He maintains very 'clean' diets and runs daily.

My nephew's latest HDL is 90 (averaged around 70 across 5 tests).
 

chong18

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My LDL is 105 but HDL too low at 36 so the cholesterol/HDL ratio is bad.. doctor said mainly is to exercise
 

16/8IF

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Many thanks for the link!

Watched it and a few of his others and found them informational.

Have the thought of sending nephew for a Lp(a) test. If his test result is exceptional high, then may decide to start him on statin; else will 'think think' again. (now trying to comb for a reasonably priced Lp(a) test).

*any idea where to get gene testing for defective gene (according to the vid, there are 3 genes that regulate cholesterol synthesis/absorption etc and I wonder my nephew's gene is really 'defective' and to what extent).
I am not sure where to get those test, but I saw an advertisement recently on Mito Health in SG (new), think they are trying to do something like Peter Attia type in the longevity area.
Think their test might be interesting to look at. (google their website).

I have NOT done Lp(a) test myself, but have done Apo B and Apo A1 test ( cost for both only $26).
Tried to get a Homocysteine test in one of the public hospital, "big argument" with the young cardiologist there, in the end decided to search for it elsewhere. (mostly likely will do that in May, after I complete the Health Screening in one of the clinical trials).

I do a lot of experiment on myself, so sometimes will request for all those NON comment test.

I suggest before you start your nephew on any intervention, might be a good idea to do "baseline test" for all, in order to note the changes.

Quite often people forget about body composition test which can be useful as certain intervention can impact on muscle or lean mass. The gold standard of course is the DEXA Scan which is expensive so go for just one step lower level, the Inbody body composition which can be done at Active Health outlet at only around $ 7.

Not always public hospital is cheaper than private, need to check, eg you could get fasting insulin test @45 in private clinic but public hospital is around 70. You really need to check around.

Most clinic uses this two labs, Pathlab and Innoquest( better chance for what you looking for ), not sure they do, but also not sure they will entertain your query.

Lastly if I do come across where those tests can be done will private message you.

Ps. hope you caught the part where Thomas dayspring mentioned that he prefers cholesterol to be in his body than plant sterol…… that was the key message I was trying to highlight to you for that YouTube.

Basically, he is saying cholesterol is natural to the human body while plant sterol is not, he rather has cholesterol problem than to ingest plant sterol?
 

16/8IF

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I would suggest you search for this former NUS professor Benjamin bikman's research on insulin and glucagon and appetite regulation.

Very good listen if u struggling with T2D.
Or even better, understand the mechanism what you did that improved your T2D
My last two Hba1c was 5.1% so do u think I am struggling with diabetes ?:unsure:

Anyway thanks for the suggestion about Ben Bikman, done the necessary researches in 2019 and he is only a small portion of it.
 

mummynew

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Lastly if I do come across where those tests can be done will private message you.

Ps. hope you caught the part where Thomas dayspring mentioned that he prefers cholesterol to be in his body than plant sterol…… that was the key message I was trying to highlight to you for that YouTube.

Basically, he is saying cholesterol is natural to the human body while plant sterol is not, he rather has cholesterol problem than to ingest plant sterol?

Thanks!

*the phytosterols part I get confused. I did catch him saying he rather has cholesterol problem than to have plant sterol in his blood (something along that line) but he also seems to say something about at times phytosterols can be good (provided not grabbed into the blood system). Need to re-listen again on this part.
 

Mecisteus

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My LDL is 105 but HDL too low at 36 so the cholesterol/HDL ratio is bad.. doctor said mainly is to exercise
Ratios are outdated nowadays.

HDL will typically follow LDL. ie both go high or low together.

More accurate markers are APOB and lipo(a).

You want both as low as possible. The latter is much more dangerous and so far no treatment for it.
 

16/8IF

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I am still trying to digest the part on plant sterol.

The most informational part so far is the part on high HDL. Most always say the higher the better (almost all GP say this) though i came across some articles that say it's not the case. Then this vid is talking about men if above 60 have to be careful about whether they are 'hyper absorbers' of cholesterols.

*my brother in law (60+ yo) if dont take eggs/more fatty meats, LDL is 120, and if take those, LDL will shoot to 180. He has high HDL of around 80. So he may be one of those 'hyper absorbers'. He maintains very 'clean' diets and runs daily.

My nephew's latest HDL is 90 (averaged around 70 across 5 tests).
My highest HDL is 2.20mmol/L and I felt it was too high so I took steps to reduced it, last test was 1.83mmol/L.

Basically I try not to be out of the range, for LDL I am happy to be just near or slightly below the top of the range and understand the risk that comes with NOT taking statin to lower it to much lower level.

I had an Ankle Brachial Index(checked for peripheral artery disease) done recently in one of the clinical trials that I participated. Seems good. Will also be having a Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) Test this coming clinical trial.

The above is just to highlight that I do try to take steps to monitor whether my LDL level affects my heart health even though I am not keen to get back on statin, maybe 5 years down the road, I will consider a baby aspirin daily as prevention measure. ( used to take it, but find problem with blood clotting, since I do finger prick testing of my BG on a regular basis).

Like I mentioned to you in one of my post, basically you can get a number of those test by participating in clinical trials free of charge. What I do with the compensation is I will use it to pay for my some other non-common lab work or test at a private clinic.
 

mummynew

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I have NOT done Lp(a) test myself, but have done Apo B and Apo A1 test ( cost for both only $26).
Tried to get a Homocysteine test in one of the public hospital, "big argument" with the young cardiologist there, in the end decided to search for it elsewhere. (mostly likely will do that in May, after I complete the Health Screening in one of the clinical trials).

I see the Lp(a) is the worst cholesterol kind and so wanna take a look.

Called up clinics. So far one quoted $55.60 all in while another quoted $30+GST (that I will reconfirm whether need to pay additional consultation fee). Will be calling my nephew's GP to check when they open at 5 pm to finalise which clinic to go to.

I do a lot of experiment on myself, so sometimes will request for all those NON comment test.

I suggest before you start your nephew on any intervention, might be a good idea to do "baseline test" for all, in order to note the changes.

Quite often people forget about body composition test which can be useful as certain intervention can impact on muscle or lean mass. The gold standard of course is the DEXA Scan which is expensive so go for just one step lower level, the Inbody body composition which can be done at Active Health outlet at only around $ 7.

My nephew is still a 'growing child', yet to enter uni. That's my dilemma when managing his condition coz it will be so cruel to tell him must this must that and cannot do this cannot do that (I am actually someone who believes in 'Life is short and so don't be too 'particular'). So still trying to balance his 'entitlement' to fun as a young adult vs the need to safeguard long term health. It's really an art to try to get a youngster to listen and obey advice willingly (I am still learning).


*my nephew's regular blood tests are done in public hospital. Thinking of asking him to add on the Lp(a) test but likely to be declined (I think if wanna add more test, need to 'fight' for it). And so, just go private and do it bah.
 

mummynew

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Like I mentioned to you in one of my post, basically you can get a number of those test by participating in clinical trials free of charge. What I do with the compensation is I will use it to pay for my some other non-common lab work or test at a private clinic.


I see clinical trials randomly here and there. Is there a portal to see such in one place?
 

16/8IF

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Thanks!

*the phytosterols part I get confused. I did catch him saying he rather has cholesterol problem than to have plant sterol in his blood (something along that line) but he also seems to say something about at times phytosterols can be good (provided not grabbed into the blood system). Need to re-listen again on this part.
phytosterols is basically plant sterol or cholesterol in plant.
 

16/8IF

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I see the Lp(a) is the worst cholesterol kind and so wanna take a look.

Called up clinics. So far one quoted $55.60 all in while another quoted $30+GST (that I will reconfirm whether need to pay additional consultation fee). Will be calling my nephew's GP to check when they open at 5 pm to finalise which clinic to go to.



My nephew is still a 'growing child', yet to enter uni. That's my dilemma when managing his condition coz it will be so cruel to tell him must this must that and cannot do this cannot do that (I am actually someone who believes in 'Life is short and so don't be too 'particular'). So still trying to balance his 'entitlement' to fun as a young adult vs the need to safeguard long term health. It's really an art to try to get a youngster to listen and obey advice willingly (I am still learning).


*my nephew's regular blood tests are done in public hospital. Thinking of asking him to add on the Lp(a) test but likely to be declined (I think if wanna add more test, need to 'fight' for it). And so, just go private and do it bah.
Yes, that was what I meant when I talk about quality of life, so one has to balance, like what you said, risk/benefit.

When I was on medications, every time there is a flu season I have it, infections, muscle pain etc etc. (side effects of medications).

Since 2019 I only visit the clinic or hospital only when I when to do testing( blood work etc etc).

Even for Covid, I got it first time in last December, didn't know I caught it until I saw my Fitbit apps whereby my last night skin temp was 2.2 C higher than normal than I started to check.

Did not have to take any Panadol or medications in fact only a small dry throat that is all. But it took 7 days to be tested negative on home kit.

For me it seems to work well without the use of medication. I am not saying medication is bad, I have used it for 19 years and decided after weighting the risk/reward and find it suits me better, for others it maybe different, so one has to decide for themselves what is good for them.
 

16/8IF

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I see clinical trials randomly here and there. Is there a portal to see such in one place?
Lastly, maybe you should do more research on statin before you start your nephew on them, at his age, just having a slightly higher ldl may not the deciding factor. (if he has no to low inflammation).

Bear in Mind both Thomas Dayspring and Peter Attia are basically pro pharmacological intervention (in their disclosure they received payments from big pharms).

Definitely Thomas Daysping is a well known lipidologist so I watch his youtube for better understanding.

Statins can lower your body level of CoQ10 and cholesterol is a big part of your brain, so is it good to disrupt
the production artifically ?
 

mummynew

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Lastly, maybe you should do more research on statin before you start your nephew on them, at his age, just having a slightly higher ldl may not the deciding factor. (if he has no to low inflammation).

Bear in Mind both Thomas Dayspring and Peter Attia are basically pro pharmacological intervention (in their disclosure they received payments from big pharms).

Definitely Thomas Daysping is a well known lipidologist so I watch his youtube for better understanding.

Statins can lower your body level of CoQ10 and cholesterol is a big part of your brain, so is it good to disrupt
the production artifically ?


I struggling with this statin decision for about a year now, combing and reading, comparing data etc etc. Coz the data are conflicting, I have not made the decision yet (esp his other indicators are all good and cardiologist actually OK for him to wait some more).

Will continue to monitor esp with the results of the Lp(a) that I hope don't turn up super high (that will have bearing in my decision making).

Really appreciate your sharing. 'Battling' this in an 'intellectual' way is quite a lonely journey.
 
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