Cholesterol / Doctor's Questionable Recommendation

Medical Q&A [Moderated]
1

Hi Austin, Hi Jordan,

I truly hate being this person writing in about MY specific health situation, especially when you guys have so much content out there about this exact topic (which I did read and listen to!!) but I still have questions about my unique situation and sadly after digesting so much BBM content, I have a strong distrust in doctors’ recommendations (I have yet to find a family doc that is up on the current research and don’t know how to go about finding one but on to the point!!)

I’m a 27 y/o female, I workout 6 days a week, my BMI is 23, blood pressure is normal, I’ve never smoked, I rarely drink, and my diet is mostly lean proteins, whole grains, fruits/veggies consuming 40-50 grams of fiber a DAY.

My primary care physician did a recent lipid panel and my triglycerides are 56 mg/dL, and HDL is 67.

BUT my total cholesterol is 248 and my LDL is 165. Both my father and his mother have high cholesterol, which has unfortunately led to both of them having heart-related issues, heart attack, stroke, etc. (My grandmother is still kicking at 93 y/o despite all that! But anyway) Knowing this, I’ve gone above and beyond to keep my lifestyle factors in check but I’m guessing these results are due to my genetics? My main question is… are these numbers concerning enough to treat with meds? Instead of meds, my doctor is recommending I take an Omega-3 Fatty Acids-Fish Oil supplement… I’m not anti-medicine by any means but I’m extremely supplement-hesitant… is she correct in recommending this?

Thanks for all you do!

Stephanie

P.S. It’s refreshing to not have to be hesitant when I purchase Peri RX! :slight_smile:

2

Hi,

With a non-HDL-c of 181 mg/dL at an early age, and with a family history of significant cardiovascular disease, I would want to get better control of this earlier rather than later - especially if any of that family history was “early onset” (e.g., younger than 65 – and especially if before 50). Given the rest of your lifestyle, it may well be that this is genetically driven. I would not expect an omega 3 supplement to have a significant impact on these levels, unfortunately. There are other options, but they also have unique considerations particularly in young women of childbearing age.

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3

Hi Austin, would getting control of this imply seeking consultation with a cardiologist and exploring statin therapy? Similar cholesterol levels, also father with high cholesterol (though no CVD at 70), also healthy lifestyle, 40yo male. Should I find a good cardiologist asap?

4

Lipid management does not require a cardiologist; a good internal medicine or family medicine physician should be able to handle this.

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