Statin & ITP

I have been diagnosed with high cholesterol.
I am watching my diet first to bring down my LDL.
If it doesn't help, doctor will have to put me on statin.
Does statin has any effect on ITP? Does it affect platelet count in the long run?
Thanks for your feedback.

It's difficult to answer that question. Any drug can cause counts to drop, and everyone reacts differently. You may not have any problems at all or you could experience a drop. It's basically trial and error.

There are two ways that I know of to lower cholesterol in addition to diet. Taking Krill Oil (if counts are up) and eating Cheerios. A friend of mine lowered hers by eating Cheerios every day. Sounds funny, but it worked!

Aside from Cheerios some people swear by oatmeal.

There is also niacin which one needs to start slowly on and increase slowly to avoid something like a hot flash. (I haven't looked at the warnings section yet)

And there is Cholest-Off to try - and Benecol to use instead of butter or margarine, Benecol comes in 2 types one of which you can cook with and I do.
www.naturemade.com/products/health-solutions/cholestoff-original
www.benecolusa.com/products/spreads

And Lindy I would ask your hematologist about statins.

Thanks Sandi & Melinda.

I will check with my hematologist in the next visit.

I am quite surprise with having high cholesterol as I am always careful with my diet.
I do take oatmeal quite often. Hmm Krill Oil, heard about that maybe I should try it.
I also exercises so my HDL is high, in the good range. Its my LDL that needs to go down.
I am very careful with saturated fats & I don't take any red meat.
I keep away from egg yolks & fried food too.
I usually have some chicken or fish in my meals with plenty of vegetables & lots of fruits.

Well, life is always puzzling. :silly:

Thanks again for your tips.

Lindy,

At one time I was on Statins. I took my chl from 210 to less than 100. Here are few hints. Diet alone may not and probably will not generate the results you are after. Exercise is the key. Anyway here you go!

If you see advertised on TV, DO NOT EAT IT!
If they can hand it to you through a drive through window, DO NOT EAT IT!
If it is fried, DO NOT EAT IT!
Cut your red meat meals by 80%.
Eat mostly meatless meals.

Exercise 1 hour per day. There is the key! If your doc says it is ok, push it! In my opinion you should be really sweating after 10 minutes of your exercise. Get a heart rate monitor and learn how to use it. Getting a trainer for a few sessions will help get you started. I know these things work from experience, I have traveled the path!

I know the time for exercising is tough but rehabbing after a heart attack is not a good way to free up the time! I have ITP, counts around 40 usually, sometimes in the 20's but manageable. I run, I do triathlons, I will be 60 in 2 months. 5 years ago I weighed in about 285. My normal weight now is around 180 or so. Prednisone has given me a new project but I am dealing with it. LOL

Best of luck and if I can help just ask! You can do this! Just do it!

Jeffrey71

Thanks jeff for your post.

Doc is giving me 3 months to bring my chl down before I am put on statin.
Besides my daily exercise I am also trying to improve my diet.
I don't take red meat at all so that's a plus.
I will probably cut down on chicken & fish as well.
Actually I am quite happy with meatless meals.
I love my brown rice.

My last chl is 220.
My HDL is 80 & LDL 130.
My BP is good usually below 120/80.
My BMI is 23.

By the way, are you completely off statin?
Is it a myth that once you're on it you have to take it for life?
When you were on statin did it affect your platelet count?

Great to know you will be 60 soon.
I am 56!
Unfortunately at our age, we are still having ITP. :whistle:

Lindy

Do you use olive oil? I ask because it is consider the so called good for you. The problem is people use this stuff that so called good in excess. If you look at the Food guide the amount of fat/ oils we should take in is usually much less than people really do.


So check into the healthy foods you eat. I swear the healthier it claims to be usually means it is high in something sodium, fat you name it!

Yes Winnifred, I do use olive oil when cooking.
Perhaps you're right, need to go easy when using "good" stuff.
Thanks!

P.S. hmm really got me thinking about the low fat milk I am drinking every morning.
Better cut that out as well!

Lindy,

I had my chl issue prior to ITP. I was heavy and ate poorly. I lost a lot of weight and got fit. It was fun and I still enjoy the training and what goes with it. I have been off the statins for years. It sounds to me that you are doing everything right. When you exercise you have to really get after it.

I would think that with what you are doing you should see results. If you make progress downwards towards less than 200 chl stay with it and tell your doc you need more time but you are getting after it. I would avoid the statins unless that is the only way that lowering the chl can be achieved.

Here are the 3 words for the weekend! Cardio Cardio Cardio! Good luck and keep me posted! I will help where I can. Go run or walk briskly, for about an hour!

By the way, congrats on the bmi! Not many can say that! Proud of you!

Jeffrey

By the way, I use a lot of olive oil and I eat a fair amount of rice, tons of vegetables and fruit. Julia has a good point, check it all out!

Jeffrey

Rice is a good item!