Lifestyle key to lower cholesterol

Dear Dr. Gott: I am a 53-year-old woman and found out last September that my cholesterol was 220 with a HDL of 56.

I am otherwise healthy except for microcytic anemia and hypothyroidism, although both my parents have heart disease.

My doctor wanted me to take a statin drug, which I am leery of due to the well-known, serious side effects.

I was quite overweight, so I said I wanted to try to lower it on my own with weight loss. She agreed to give me six months to lower it. I joined a weight-loss group, and over the next six months I lost 40 pounds.

I didn’t exercise during that six months, but with the nicer weather I have started walking most days for about 30 minutes at a fairly brisk pace. My level after the weight loss was 183, but unfortunately my HDL dropped to 41.

My doctor was still not pleased with the cholesterol level and still encouraged me to start medication. She said that my LDL needed to be below 100.

I looked for information online about cholesterol, and the only references I found that recommended the very low levels were sponsored by drug companies that have a huge interest in having people on medication. Also, it seems to me that the only way to achieve those levels is with medication.

I still have another 20 pounds to lose, plus I plan to exercise and start taking omega-3 capsules. I am to have my cholesterol checked again in six more months.

After all that, what I would like to know, is if it is really necessary to have very low levels of cholesterol to avoid heart disease.

Dear Reader: I believe that you have taken a reasonable stand. Should your cholesterol be below 200? Probably, if we are to believe the authorities and the companies that sell cholesterol-lowering drugs.

But if you are taking aggressive action – weight loss, close monitoring of your thyroid function (underactive thyroid often leads to some cholesterol elevation) and omega-3 fish oil – I would endorse this approach.

Try to continue it and have your doctor check your blood pressure, weight, heart and cholesterol in six months, as you reasonably propose.

Remember that I am not your doctor, so I will refer further comments and conclusions to your primary care physician.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Understanding Cholesterol.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

I also recommend that you read my new book, “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet” as a way to continue with your weight loss and health goals. You can order the book directly from the publisher by calling (800) 605-7176 or online at www.quilldriverbooks.com.