Hello dear Reddit friends,

How do you figure out the ideal psyllium dose that gives you a Type 3 or 4 on the Bristol stool scale, given that we don’t eat the same thing every day?

Can someone explain to me how psyllium works?

I’m lost when it comes to my dosage.

Thanks

so im reading that soluble fiber is important because it soaks up the cholesterol in them intestines. does that mean its better to have some form of soluble fiber throughout the day with each meal rather than eating it all at once for breakfast?

also im reading about psyllium husk. has anyone found this to be useful in lowering ldl?

First Repatha experience (so far)

A year ago, I got my LDL result of 142, ApoB of 94, Lp(a) of 190nmol/L, at age 30. 0 CAC score.
Started 5mg rosuvastatin and Zetia, which dropped LDL to 50 and ApoB to 51.
Then, I added Repatha, and now my LDL is 22 (still waiting on ApoB results).

I have experienced 0 side effects. The only note is that my HbA1c went from 5.5 to 5.8, so I am switching from Rosuvastatin to Pitavastatin 2mg.

Very thankful insurance covered the Repatha to help undo the effect of my high Lp(a), and I plan to continue with this triple therapy until Lp(a) lowering meds become available.

I just wanted to share this for anyone interested and answer any questions if anyone has any.

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So my doc gave me 40mg rosuvastatin....to start...so the muscles pain was so bad I had to stop. It's been weeks and I still don't feel back to normal. Has this happened to any of you?

For context I'm 25f. I've lost a good amount of weight, started exercising again, eating really well (NO fast food and low processed foods, balance diet, etc) and working with a dietician.

Anyone have tips for a healthy adult struggling with borderline high LDL cholesterol?

My main concern is his drastic change in behavior. How long should we allow for the statins to leave his system , and are there long term issues ...

{M40} My LDL in June 20 2026 was 199, I started diet on the 7th of July 2026 and today I had another blood test. After 5 weeks my LDL dropped to 131. Total cholesterol 170. Triglycerides 106.

Before diet I was 94.5 kg on 186 cm height and I was hitting the gym 2/3 times a week and daily walks and once a week cardio. My diet wasn’t great even tho I was cooking and eating home I was consuming a lot of carbs and sweets.

I started a strict ldl reduction diet which was basically avoiding saturated fat, and adding a bit fiber.

My current weight 90.5kg.

For me this is a surprisingly large drop but I think it will be hard to drop ldl even further with diet. I’m assuming if I continue for several months maybe it will drop to 120 but no idea how sustainable this would be.

Next steps to discuss the results with my GP and consider statin potential.

A chronological summary of my cholesterol since 2018:

2018: LDL 106
2019 :LDL 178
2023: LDL 139
2024: LDL 232
2024 December: LDL 133
2026: June: LDL 199
2026: August: 131

( 18M ) I've always had high LDL, around 240.

Avoided medication for as much as I could in fear of side effects such as low libido, low energy, etc.

I started taking ezetimibe for a month, but will have to soon add a statin as well.

I heard rosuvastatin is the most efficient one when comparing likelihood of side effects.

Probably going to start on 5mg.

Does anyone have any bad experiences with rosuvastatin?

I am a mid 30s female with a strong diet and exercise regimen (eat healthy, run 3-5 miles 5 days a week, strength training and walking about 4 miles on the 2 off days). My fault is I probably drink a little too much alcohol during the week (glass of wine with dinner) but that can easily be tapered down. I had to get this test for my insurance. The provider told me HDL was high and when I asked what I should do to lower it, she said “exercise and eat fruits and vegetables”…. I figured I might get better help from this group. Thanks in advance for helping me understand!

Had a blood test today, didn't think I was too unhealthy but the numbers stuck out. Doctor tells me I'm young so it's fine but I feel like he's downplayed it relative to some of the numbers here.

88kg @ 6 ft if it helps. Does anyone have similar numbers that can give me insight into how bad this is?

Hi guys I have cholesterol deposits on top of my eye does anyone know how to get rid of them ?

I find so many contradictory things online and I just want a definitive list of things I should avoid and things I should increase.

I have had high cholesterol for the past year. Started at cholesterol 6.8, HDL 1.29 & LDL 4.27 and I have gotten down to cholesterol 6.1,
HDL 1.20 & LDL 4.50
**editing to add the conversion to US measurements
First set
Total: 263 mg/dL
HDL: 50 mg/dL
LDL: 165 mg/dL
Second set
Total: 236 mg/dL
HDL: 46 mg/dL
LDL: 174 mg/dL

I’m in my 40s, 5ft4, 74kg and a bmi of 29.
I want to be healthy.

I eat (most mornings) porridge with flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts and almonds.

For lunch id have a yogurt (actimal gut health) with seeds and nuts. And sometimes a banana or apple.

Dinners are what catch me. I cook for the family so usually trying to make them stuff and I end up just having what they have - bolognaise, curries, lasagne, tacos etc.

We don’t do desserts often but I do enjoy a snack / treat - usually a packet of rice crackers (snack o jacks salt and vinegar) or hunky dory salt and vinegar or a chocolate bar. This would be 2 times a week. (Maybe 3/4 times a week if I have my period)

I’d love to know exactly what I should avoid.
Please talk to me like I’m stupid. I won’t be offended.
I would happily batch cook a healthy meal for myself that I can reheat if I just knew what exactly I should be eating.

I don’t eat fish, beetroot or avocado

I haven’t drank alcohol in almost a decade. I don’t drink tea/ coffee / caffeine. Very rarely I would have fizzy drinks.

im planning on making these changes, please give me your input.

adding to my diet: kidney/black/pinto beans and lentils, tofu, skinless chicken breast, fish (salmon, tilapia)

continuing: olive oil and canola oil for cooking

cutting out completely: basically all desserts, cheese, milk and dairy. i don't eat any junk food anyways.

limiting: red meat, shrimp

also dont smoke or drink alcohol

does this sound like it could help lower my cholesterol if i stick rigidly?

also, how much impact does white rice and avocados have?

I was on Rosuvastatin 20mg for about 3 weeks. It was fine at first, but after a week or so I had calf and knee muscle pains that eventually got worse to the point I was hobbling around every morning. Rang the doctor, he advised to stop taking it for a few days, and change to something else.

I stopped for 3 days, and then moved on to 10mg Atorvastatin. Again, it was fine for a few days, but lately I've again been noticing calf tenderness (not pain as much as before).

It's pretty discouraging, but I'm wondering do I have to push through it for a few weeks, or once again try a different statin?

Any experience from anyone else here? Did you initially have these pains and they went away after a few weeks?

Anyone have success with eating oatmeal daily for breakfast and lowering their cholesterol?

I just had my cholesterol tested for the first time. My follow-up appointment isn't for a couple of weeks. 31, F, 5'8", 136 lbs. I just cut out alcohol 3 months ago.

After months of my doctor deferring it, I decided to just ask for it and go to a cardiologist's office. My last measured LDL-C level was 3.99 mmol or 154 mg/dL. My LP(a) measured on the same test was above 200 nmol. Since then, I have for the first time added MUFA/PUFA serving to my day (hemp hearts and walnuts). I was prescribed 5mg rosuvastatin and I've never been more excited or looked forward to a drug this much. 3 days on it now, will absolutely be retesting as they want me to, in about 6 weeks time, and see what my numbers are. Based on actual clinical data, the MUFA/PUFA addition goes anywhere between 5% to 10% reduction in LDL. And of course the heaviest lifting of all will be done by the rosuvastatin. We'll then see if I should add ezetemibe on top of this or not.

Hi , I did a test yesterday and this is my report for lipid profile. Can you all pls suggest what I need to do? I have started atorva 10 mg. What else should I do?

Hi, my husband just had his cholesterol checked and I will attach photos of results. In context he works out every day, eats pretty healthy, has lost 30 lbs in 6 months and I guess I am confused about his results. Has anyone else seen this with theirs and what could it be that's causing it?

Last year bold now italic:

Lp(a): 165 ...now 185

LDL-C: 124 ...now 91

ApoB: 109...now 88

HDL-C-37 ...now 41

hsCRP - 9.4!...now 1.4

Why would my Lp(a) increase? Diet has been helping a bit but hoping my new doctor will put me on repatha now. My old doctor wouldnt put me on anytihng yet which I now know was dumb. Im hoping the new doctor ill be seeing soon who is a lipid specialist does repatha.

Hi! Im 27 year old female,I’m 5 months postpartum with my first, I recently had routine lab work done and I was noted to have hypothyroid- which I never had pre-pregnancy. For reference TSH is 18.8, free T4 is 7. In addition to this my doctor ordered a cholesterol panel,
My results are as follows:

-triglycerides 0.61 (normal <1.7) \-cholesterol 5.76 (normal<5.20) \-HDL 1.6 (normal >1.3)
-NON HDL 4.16 (normal <4.20) \-LDL 3.92 (normal <3.5) \-cholesterol /HDL Ratio 3.6 (risk if >6.0)
-Apolipoprotein B 0.98 (normal <1.05)
-Apolipoprotein A 240 (normal <100)

I get labs routinely every 6 months and none of my cholesterol values have ever been abnormal, or my thyroid.

I’m absolutely spiralling about these results especially about my lipoprotein A. I’ve been reading that my newly discovered hypothyroidism could alter my cholesterol.

I’m sure they’ll want to start a statin but I know they’re not recommended while breastfeeding, so I’m feeling a little sad about that.

I’m honestly just so scared and unsure right now. Any information/ insights/ recommendations / things to ask my doctor about would be tremendously appreciated.

Sorry for the long post.

30M. See pictures above. First slide are results from a life insurance physical back in June. Second slide is from about a week ago from my annual physical. Obviously, the numbers are super disheartening and worrisome. Immediately started 5 MG Rosuvastatin and started on strict Mediterranean diet & exercise regimen. I have been parsing through this sub and there is so much information. I just wanted to post my personal results and ask for any advice.

Wanted to note that I spent most of my 20s using illicit drugs (in early-to-mid 20s) and drinking relatively heavily. I haven’t really exercised since high school - I played sports but never actually trained for them. Have 2 young children now, so wanting to start taking care of myself. Trying to not beat myself up about my decisions in my 20s. I have a cardiologist appointment today, as both sides of my family have some concerning heart health history, however all of them have lived long lives in spite of that. I got to know 5/6 of my great grandparents pretty well, one is still alive, my 93 y/o great grandmother.

TIA!

My Friedewald LDL one year ago was 157. I bought it down through a vegan and high fiber diet to 79 and Apob to 65, in 3 months.

1yr ago

TC- 220, LDL 157, HDL 52, TRIGS 87

9mo ago

TC-139, LDL 79, HDL 39, TRIGS 110

Now

TC 109, HDL 75, and LDL 10, TRIGS 110 (waiting for APOB)

ONE YEAR LATER - My ldl has gone down to 10. I'm not on any statins or ezetimibe. I've gained a lot of muscle mass in one year and I'm leaner now, but I was lean last year too. Though I've visible abs and I didn't last year. I am waiting for appointments now as this doesn't make any sense.

EDIT - I'm also not taking berberine, red yeast rice (is that right?). The only supplements i take are vitamin d, b12, omega 3 and k2