Cholesterol Questions

[Loa111]

My last ID Doc appointment, I learned my Cholesterol is 6.8 on the cholesterol measuring scale we use in my country. Doc said if it gets to 7.0 then we need to do something about it.

I googled and discovered 6.8 is considered to be a very very high Cholesterol level. I was shocked to learn this.

Does the medication we are on, Descovy & Tivicay in my case, cause Cholesterol to increase?

The confusing thing for me is I eat quite clean most of the time, oatmeal for breakfast, salads for lunch, cook in olive oil, limited junk food, and I exercise, running & since gyms reopened lift weights too. For my age 49, I am physically fit.  I am not overweight either, 5' 11' weight 90 - 92Kgs.  I do not smoke and I do not drink at all.

Why is my Cholesterol so high? Is it the meds? What might the doc suggest if it reaches 7.0? He did not seem concerned at all at my 6.8 reading.

[PozChilean]

Unfortunately, HAART has an impact on serum lipids:


(Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3106351/)

Has your doctor prescribed you any cholesterol-lowering medications?

[Loa111]

Thank you for this clarification. No doctor has not prescribed any cholesterol medication yet. He said he値l monitor my levels, if they get to 7.0 then he値l be concerned.

I was shocked my cholesterol levels are so high re eating clean, good habits, lots of exercise n fitness. So I知 doing my part. I知 only on HAART since May 2018, so if levels this high already it worries me.

Hate the idea of having to potentially  go on cholesterol meds. 

I just notice my ID doc wrote that paper/study, I guess I知 in good hands so!

[PozChilean]

I just notice my ID doc wrote that paper/study, I guess I知 in good hands so!

What a crazy coincidence!

[Mojito]

I'm on ART for 3 years now. in March this year, my doctor run through lipd test to check my cholestrol levels and it came more than 3 times high over the acceptable limits. Doctor put me on cholestrol medicines for 4 months and now the cholestrol is at boderline level. She has asked me to continue the cholestrol medicine for another month and then we would evaluate if that needs to be continued.

[Loa111]

Very interesting Mojito. So if your Cholesterol levels go back down, you might be able o stop the meds, and Doc will continue to monitor your levels?

Any side effect from Cholesterol meds.

[Mojito]

My Cholestrol level is now at boderline level. My doctor asked me to continue the medicine for another month and they after blood test she would decide if i can stop the medicine.

I did faced some constipation due to cholestrol medicine in the initial month after which my doctor changed the medicine to milder one.