How diet change controls cholesterol numbers?
Patient: My husband had been asked to go on cholesterol meds his results are HDL 0.9. LDL IS 3.0. NON HDL is 3.9. Chol/ HDL ratio is 5.3. The optometrist at his last test advised that he could see cholesterol in his eyes. My question is : is it really necessary to go on the medication. He has also got a blood glucose level of 6.7. That was a fasting test and it was the second time at the same reading. His dr has also prescribed meds for this as well. My husband was diagnosed with CCL in 2001. Not sure if this has anything to do with him prescribing the above medicine. What do you think? Could we get the levels down with a change in diet? Regards Marg Doctor: Hello!Thank you for asking on HCM!I read your question carefully and understand your concern. I would like to explain that Chol/HDL ratio is a more confident indicator compared to total cholesterol or LDL. A ratio above 4.5 in men, indicates a high cardio vascular risk. That is why I agree with your doctor in starting therapy with statines to reduce this independent risk factor for cardio vascular disease. Regarding his glucose levels, I would advise to perform further tests like : - glucose tolerance test- HbA1c to examine better his glucose metabolism and rule in/out possible diabetes.In case of an initial diabetes, diet modifications would be more appropriate than medical therapy, to reduce high blood glucose levels. Some other tests are needed to exclude other metabolic disorders: - a resting ECG-thyroid function tests-cortisol plasma levels-blood electrolytes-kidney and liver function tests. I don't think this medications are related to his past medical history. Hope to have been of help!Best wishes, Dr. Iliri