Types Of Blood Fat/lipid
‘Lipid’ is the medical word for ‘fat in the blood’. Too much fat in the blood is harmful. With or without diabetes, high fat levels will make many diseases more likely, such as age related macular degeneration and heart disease. But in addition, in diabetes, high blood fat levels increase complications greatly.
Generally we do need a little fat in our diet. Lipids make up the outer walls of cells in the body, so it is essential we have do have some healthy fats in our diet.
There are two main types of fat in the blood, triglycerides and cholesterol. There are two main types of cholesterol, high density lipoprotein , and low density . Triglycerides and LDL cholesterol are harmful. Many laboratories measure the ‘total’ cholesterol, and generally this is equivalent to the LDL level, and the lower the better.
- combination of LDL + HDL types
- ideal level <2.5,; good level<3.5,;; target level <4.0.
- blood test can be carried out not fasting
- HDL cholesterol were thought to be protective, but new evidence suggest they make little difference.
- a low cholesterol causes less heart disease;
- statins best for all adult diabetics, if well tolerated
Statin Use May Cause Certain Eye Disorders According To Study
Eye disorders related to statin use were reported in the Jupiter Study led by F.W. Fraunfelder, MD, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Sciences University.
Portland, OR-Eye disorders related to statin use were reported in the Jupiter Study led by F.W. Fraunfelder, MD, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Sciences University. The medication used to lower patients cholesterol levels, thus helping prevent coronary heart disease, stroke, and other deaths related to high cholesterol levels, is related to certain eye disorders in about 0.1% of patients.
Statin-associated reports of diplopia, ptosis, and ophthalmoplegia in the databases of the National Registry of Drug-Induced Ocular Side Effects, the World Health Organization, and the FDA were analyzed. Average patient age was 64.5 years; case reports include 143 males, 91 females, and 22 persons with gender unspecified.
The average statin doses of patients with one or more eye disorders was within ranges recommended by drug manufacturers. The average time from beginning of therapy to developing an adverse drug reaction was 8.3 months.
Twenty-three cases of loss of eye range of motion, eight cases of ptosis, and 18 cases of ptosis in conjunction with double vision occurred. Disorders in all patients apparently resolved completely when statins were discontinued, but researchers could not determine which eye muscles were involved or time needed to fully recover after statin discontinuation, for individual cases.
Dont Worry About Cholesterol; Inflammation Is Your Biggest Problem
Cholesterol is good for you; it performs so many vital functions in your body.
Inflammation raises your risk of just about every serious disease, including heart attacks and strokes. If you want to look after your health, youd better keep inflammation at bay!
Each week we see a number of patients who are seeking help for their high cholesterol level. They can quote the cholesterol figure in their last blood test and desperately want to lower it without the use of medication. Many of our patients have tried cholesterol lowering drugs in the past and werent happy with the side effects. They are even more worried about the potential long term effects of these drugs on brain function and the nervous system.
I think they should also be worried about having abnormally low levels of cholesterol, which these drugs tend to induce. Several studies have shown that people with slightly higher cholesterol actually live longer than those with low cholesterol .
People with low cholesterol seem to be more prone to cancer and mental health problems.
For years weve been told to eat less fat if we want to stay slim and keep our cholesterol level in check. I have a problem with that advice for a few reasons:
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So Should You Be Worried If Your Cholesterol Is Elevated
If your cholesterol is high, you need to find the reason.
As I mentioned, the vast majority of cholesterol in your body was made in your liver.; Cholesterol production increases when the body is under stress: emotional stress can cause elevated cholesterol because the stress hormone cortisol is made out of cholesterol. Physical stress on the body can also elevate cholesterol. Because cholesterol helps to repair and heal your body, you will produce more if there is a great deal of inflammation occurring in your body. So all those factors above that raise inflammation, can raise your cholesterol too.
Therefore the cure for elevated cholesterol can be quite simple lower the inflammation and youll also lower the cholesterol.
Other factors that may cause elevated cholesterol include:
We do need some cholesterol in our bodies for good health; you dont want your cholesterol to be too low but you dont want it too high either.;However, its important to remember that high cholesterol is not the cause of your health problems; it is simply a clue that something is not quite right with your health, and its likely that the real problem is too much inflammation.
For more information see our book Cholesterol: The Real Truth.
The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
Myth #3: You Could Get Cataracts From Taking Statin Drugs
Truth:;Some studies have indicated that there may be a relationship between statin drugs and an increased risk for developing cataracts. However, these investigations have been either conducted in animals or in less-than-rigorous studies.
The best evidence we have comes from high-quality clinical trials in humans, which showed that statin drugs do not increase risk of cataract formation, reports Martin. In fact, some studies even performed eye exams in people over time and showed no difference in eye health between those taking and not taking statins.
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How Should This Medicine Be Used
Simvastatin comes as a tablet and as a suspension to take by mouth. The tablets are usually taken once a day in the evening. The suspension is usually taken once a day in the evening on an empty stomach. Take simvastatin at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take simvastatin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Shake suspension well for at least 20 seconds before each use.
If you will be taking the simvastatin suspension, do not use a household teaspoon to measure your dose. Household teaspoons are not accurate measuring devices, and you may receive too much medication or not enough medication if you measure your dose with a household teaspoon. Instead, use a properly marked measuring device such as a medicine spoon or oral syringe. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you need help getting or using a measuring device.
Your doctor may start you on a low dose of simvastatin and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every 4 weeks.
Continue to take simvastatin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking simvastatin without talking to your doctor.
Myth #2: Statins Frequently Cause Memory Loss
Truth:;In 2012, the FDA changed statin drug labels to include information that some people had experienced memory loss and confusion while taking the medications.
Unfortunately, that change was based on some poor-quality studies and evidence, Martin explains. People became seriously concerned that lower cholesterol levels could affect the brains function. But in fact, the brain makes its own cholesterol. It doesnt depend on the cholesterol in the blood.
My colleagues and I at Johns Hopkins specifically researched the issue of statins impacting cognitive dysfunction or dementia, says Martin. We reviewed all the studies that had been done, and found that the most rigorous studies show that statins do not commonly cause memory loss. If anything, long-term use of statins might have a beneficial effect on the brain since they help prevent strokes and protect the health of arteries in the brain.
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Simvastatin May Cause Side Effects Tell Your Doctor If Any Of These Symptoms Are Severe Or Do Not Go Away:
- constipation
- joint pain
- sensitivity to light
This medication may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .
How To Handle Side Effects
Donât stop taking your cholesterol drugs even if they donât make you feel great. Instead, talk to your doctor. There are a few ways theyÂ;might be able to help you feel better:
Take a brief break. If you have muscle pain, your doctor may tell you to stop taking your drug for a short time and then start it again within a month. The time off can show if your medicine is causing the pain or if itâs due to another problem.
Check your other meds. If you take cholesterol drugs and other medicines, you might be more likely to have side effects. Tell your doctor about everything you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter meds, and supplements.
Get a lower dosage. Your doctor may try to reduce how much of your medicine you take. You might also be able to take a pill every other day instead of daily.
Switch treatments. If your side effects are too hard to handle, you might be able to try a different statin such pravastatin and rosuvastatin , which are less likely to cause muscle aches.The cholesterol drug ezetimibe may allow you to take a lower statin dose and thereby helpÂ;relieve your muscle pain, for example.
Consider OTC treatments. Statins may lower levels of a substance in your muscles called coenzyme Q10, and that can cause pain. You may try taking CoQ10 supplements to get relief. Another option, L-carnitine, might help, too. But always talk to your doctor before you start taking any medicine, even ones you buy without a prescription.
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What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store the tablets at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture . Store the suspension at room temperature. Do not freeze or refrigerate the suspension. Be sure to use the suspension within 30 days of opening the bottle and discard any remaining medication after 30 days.
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
Signs Of Retinal Artery Occlusions
If retinal arterial occlusions have occurred, these signs may be present:
- A bluish-colored ring forming around the outside of the cornea , which represents deposits of cholesterol
- Xanthelasma, small yellow-like elevations of the skin above the eyes or near the nose that may also signal high cholesterol levels
- A Hollenhorst plaque, a buildup of cholesterol that has broken off a clot from another artery, such as the carotid artery
While having either an arcus senillis or xanthelasma would most likely be considered benign or harmless, a Hollenhorst plaque can block blood flow and result in death of the tissue that is being fed by the artery. This can lead to vision loss that could be permanent. These plaques may also signal an increased potential for stroke.
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Dry Eyes From Cholesterol Medications
by Tenafly Eye Associates | Mar 23, 2021 | Uncategorized |
Dry Eyes from Cholesterol Medication
Did you know that the lipid lowering cholesterol medications called statins might also cause lipid layer instability in your tear film-and lead to dry eye symptoms? Researchers reporting in the American Journal of Ophthalmology found that patients with a history of taking stains to lower their cholesterol are more often than others bothered by dry eye disease and problems.
Tenafly Eye Associates is a comprehensive eye care practice staffed by NJ ophthalmologist eye doctors and eye specialists located at 111 Dean Drive, Tenafly, New Jersey 070670, 201-567-5995, an affiliate of Prism Vision Group.
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The Link Between Thyroid Disease And Cholesterol
- High cholesterol is linked to hypothyroidism .
- A sudden drop in cholesterol can be a warning sign of hyperthyroidism .
- Treating thyroid disease can correct cholesterol levels.
- Cholesterol drugs can affect thyroid disease and its treatments.
This article talks more about why thyroid disease and high cholesterol are linked, the problems that can cause, and how to manage both conditions at once.
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Myth #1: Taking Statin Drugs Leads To Diabetes Out Of The Blue
Truth:;In clinical trials, statins appear to accelerate a diagnosis of adult-onset diabetes because they cause a slight elevation in blood sugar. However, people experiencing this side effect already have higher than normal blood sugar, or prediabetes, explains Martin. For those who are borderline diabetic, the mild increase in blood sugar can lead to a diabetes diagnosis about five weeks earlier than it would be otherwise.
Research indicates that statin drugs do not induce diabetes in someone who isnt already nearing a diabetes diagnosis. Additionally, the benefits of reducing cardiac events in someone who has prediabetes or is diabetic greatly outweigh the mild increase that might occur in their blood sugar, says Martin.
Dangers Of Statin Drugs: What You Havent Been Told About Popular Cholesterol
Hypercholesterolemia is the health issue of the 21st century. It is actually an invented disease, a problem that emerged when health professionals learned how to measure cholesterol levels in the blood. High cholesterol exhibits no outward signsunlike other conditions of the blood, such as diabetes or anemia, diseases that manifest telltale symptoms like thirst or weaknesshypercholesterolemia requires the services of a physician to detect its presence. Many people who feel perfectly healthy suffer from high cholesterolin fact, feeling good is actually a symptom of high cholesterol!
Doctors who treat this new disease must first convince their patients that they are sick and need to take one or more expensive drugs for the rest of their lives, drugs that require regular checkups and blood tests. But such doctors do not work in a vacuumtheir efforts to convert healthy people into patients are bolstered by the full weight of the US government, the media and the medical establishment, agencies that have worked in concert to disseminate the cholesterol dogma and convince the population that high cholesterol is the forerunner of heart disease and possibly other diseases as well.
The drugs that doctors use to treat the new disease are called statinssold under a variety of names including Lipitor , Zocor , Mevacor and Pravachol .
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The Effects Of High Cholesterol
High levels of LDL cholesterol increase the risk of fatty deposits on vessels that bring blood to the heart. Too-low levels of HDL cholesterol suggest the body may not be able to clear plaques and other fatty deposits from the body. Both conditions create a risk for heart disease and heart attack.
Liver damage can progress for months or years with no symptoms. By the time symptoms appear, liver damage often is extensive. Some symptoms warrant a visit to the doctor. These include:
- jaundice
- fatigue
What Is Inflammation And Why Should You Care
Inflammation is a bit of a vague term that youve probably seen mentioned recently.; There are two main types of inflammation: acute inflammation and chronic inflammation.
If you have ever sprained your ankle or suffered a gout attack, youll know all about acute inflammation. It causes symptoms like pain, swelling, heat, redness and immobility.
In this article I want to focus on chronic inflammation. This is the type of inflammation that occurs in a very subtle form inside your body, so you dont even realise its occurring.
Chronic inflammation occurs when various cells in your body produce chemicals that cause wear and tear inside your body. Essentially, inflammation causes oxidative damage to the cells and tissues of your body. This will cause you to age more rapidly and put you at risk of serious diseases including cardiovascular disease and cancer. Inflammatory chemicals can be produced by your immune cells, fat cells and by your liver if it is fatty, otherwise diseased or sluggish.
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What Other Information Should I Know
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests during your treatment, especially if you develop symptoms of liver damage.
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking simvastatin.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.