What causes high cholesterol?
Patient: I was just told I have high cholesterol it is 6 I am not over weight, I do excersice I eat fairly healthy hardly eats sweets or junk food I do have 90% piece of chocolate every day is there other reason that cause this I am 65 and never had problems efore. Doctor: Hello!Thank you for asking on HCM!I understand your concern, and would explain that chocolate intake can contribute in high values of cholesterol.Abnormal cholesterol levels may also be secondary to the following:1-Diabetes2-Liver or kidney disease3-Polycystic ovary syndrome4-Thyroid gland dysfunction5-Drugs that increase LDL cholesterol and decrease HDL cholesterol (progestins, anabolic steroids and corticosteroids).I recommend consulting with the GP and performing some lab tests: (a complete blood count, kidney and liver function tests, thyroid hormone levels, fasting glucose) to exclude these possible causes. I would explain that the total cholesterol plasma level is a weak indicator of cardio-vascular risk. It is more important to perform Total cholesterol/ HDL cholesterol ratio in order to calculate your cardio-vascular risk. I recommend consulting with your GP on the above issues and consider the possibility of starting a statine or just continuing with a diet modification : - avoid chocolate - take a lot of soya food and nuts- take a lot of omega 3 and olive oil, including salmon fish- use a lot of carrots in your diet- Green tea and matcha tea- Flaxseed and Hemp Seeds etc. Hope to have been of help!Best wishes, Dr. Iliri