Pred & Rituxan causing increased cholesterol?

Hi all!

I was diagnosed with ITP Dec 2013. Since then, I have been on Prednisone pretty much the entire time.

I start out on 60 mg Pred and am slowly weaned off. As soon as I get down to 5 mg my count and I have gone right back to the 60 mg. I was trying to avoid doing the other types of treatments for as long as possible, but last month I finally did the 4 weeks of Rituxan.

As of yesterday, my count was at 292 so the Rituxan appears to have worked, but I am still on the Prednisone. I just dropped down to 5 mg and I will slowly be weaning off over the next 6 weeks. Hopefully, it will remain at an acceptable level and I will be able to get off the Pred.

Anyway, I just had my yearly checkup with my family physician and got my cholesterol checked. Last year, my cholesterol level was 188. This year, my count jumped to 246! I have not changed my lifestyle or diet in any way in the past year. The only thing that I can think of that could have caused this is the long-term Pred use and the Rituxan treatments last month. Has anybody else experienced this?

Prednisone can raise triglycerides, LDL cholesterol levels, and HDL cholesterol levels. It can also elevate blood glucose levels.

I am glad that the Rituxan seems to be working for you. Hopefully you will have a nice long vacation from steroids.

Thanks Rob! I guess I was more focused on all the other side effects and didn't pay attention to the possible affects on cholesterol levels. Thank you for your help!