New lab reports

[valgators]

I wondered if some of you with scientific backgrounds could answer a question for me......just give me your thoughts, please.
I just had my cholesterol checked again. The total was 279. Good cholesterol okay. Bad cholesterol was 20 points above the mythical cut off point. Triglycerides were normal. Now, I know it has been said that statins do not help women but if my memory serves me right, I was about 279 total in the early 90's when first placed on statins. I have been off statins since Feb 08 and my number continues to be about the same. Wouldn't it suggest that total 279 is just where my body functions? I have no risk factors that I have been made aware of for cardiac issues.
I will spare you the rhetoric that transpired with the dr's assistant when she called to give me the report. However, she said I must repeat the test again in 3 months even though I told her I was not taking and did not intend to take statins again.
Opinions?

Thanks, Valgators

[Brian C.]

My opinion is that you know the score Valgators. As a regular visitor here you now know what is important (avoiding inflammation) and what is not (meaningless numbers from a cheap 70-year old test).
Stand your ground and eat healthy, turning the "official" food pyramid upside down.

No study has ever produced any evidence that statins are beneficial to women in any way.

You won't die from a statin deficiency

Brian.

[Cat Mom2]

I do better and feel better when mine is 250 or above. I don't care what someone sitting on a panel decides is "right".. I let my own body tell me what it right for it.

[gotts1936]

Valgators, I am a male who's cholesterol levels in 1997 were the same as they are now. I took lovastatin for eight + months and developed muscle wasting. I am now off of any statins. My last cartoid artery test , november, 2007 was great and showed no build up of cholestrol. My next cartoid artery test is due next month. I believe every patient should be given an cartoid ultra-soundnic test prior to taking any statin drug. If your cartoid artery test come up normal why take a statin drug to lower your cholestrol levels? The pain in my legs will never stop. So much for statin drugs.

gotts

[valgators]

Thank you all for your input.

I haven't had a carotid ultrasound for a number of years but the heart specialist listened to the arteries and could find nothing of concern.
I saw the heart specialist in May 08. She thinks I should be on statins, too, as do all of my doctors! But I think I will get the ultrasound just to be sure.

As to my number total of 279, I don't think that's too high and if it's stayed constant (without statins) since the 90's, I think that's just where my body needs to be. Of course, all those years I took statins, it dropped almost 100 points to the high 100's.

I'll keep you posted. Thanks again.
Valgators