Cholesterol/BP results - anyone advise before I see GP?

[VickyT]

Hello,

I have received my cholesterol results today, I had them checked after recently finding out I have two copies of APOE4
Can anyone help me understand them a little bit more in the context of having 2XAPOE4 before I visit the GP? I generally don't like taking medication, but with the news that I am APOE4/4 I wonder if I should take medication, until I get my weight down (BMI 30) and diet sorted? I am 52 year old female. Or am I panicking? I do realise it's a personal choice, but I'd like to be more informed before I make this choice.
My results
I am in the UK so it is mmol/L but I will also convert to mg/dl

Serum cholesterol
5.6 mmol/L (216.6mg/dl)

Serum HDL cholesterol level
1.1 mmol/L (42.5mg/dl)

Serum triglycerides
1.5 mmol/L 132.86mg/dl
< 2.3
Normal

Serum LDL cholesterol level
3.8 mmol/L (146.9mg/dl)


Se non HDL cholesterol level
4.5 mmol/L (174mg/dl)

Serum cholesterol/HDL ratio
5.1 (197.2 mg/dl)

I believe that they are all raised except the Triglycerides. My average BP is 132/91 taken over 7 days. As I said earlier I was against medication as I don't want to become someone on lots of tablets. This is the first time I have really started to pay attention to my health. I have been in a bit of a world of my own prior to this, eating chocolate, drinking wine, crisps etc. I have a history of depression and got into the habit of having these things for comfort. I am now waking up to the fact that I am 52, with APOE4/4 and need to look after myself. I have lost half a stone (seven pounds) since I found out my APOE status. I wonder what I can say to the GP, as I don't know if they will take into account my APOE4/4 status. Can anyone help me ? What do you think of these results? Thanks so much in advance. xx vicky

[NF52]

Hello,

I have received my cholesterol results today, I had them checked after recently finding out I have two copies of APOE4
Can anyone help me understand them a little bit more in the context of having 2XAPOE4 before I visit the GP? I generally don't like taking medication, but with the news that I am APOE4/4 I wonder if I should take medication, until I get my weight down (BMI 30) and diet sorted? I am 52 year old female. Or am I panicking? I do realise it's a personal choice, but I'd like to be more informed before I make this choice.
My results
I am in the UK so it is mmol/L but I will also convert to mg/dl

Serum cholesterol
5.6 mmol/L (216.6mg/dl)

Serum HDL cholesterol level
1.1 mmol/L (42.5mg/dl)

Serum triglycerides
1.5 mmol/L 132.86mg/dl
< 2.3
Normal

Serum LDL cholesterol level
3.8 mmol/L (146.9mg/dl)


Se non HDL cholesterol level
4.5 mmol/L (174mg/dl)

Serum cholesterol/HDL ratio
5.1 (197.2 mg/dl)

I believe that they are all raised except the Triglycerides. My average BP is 132/91 taken over 7 days. As I said earlier I was against medication as I don't want to become someone on lots of tablets. This is the first time I have really started to pay attention to my health. I have been in a bit of a world of my own prior to this, eating chocolate, drinking wine, crisps etc. I have a history of depression and got into the habit of having these things for comfort. I am now waking up to the fact that I am 52, with APOE4/4 and need to look after myself. I have lost half a stone (seven pounds) since I found out my APOE status. I wonder what I can say to the GP, as I don't know if they will take into account my APOE4/4 status. Can anyone help me ? What do you think of these results? Thanks so much in advance. xx vicky

Hi Vicky,

I'm a 72 year old woman with ApoE 4/4 and totally get using chocolate and crisps to deal with anxiety and stress. [Wine never did anything much except put me to sleep after a glass, so I have it rarely, and even mildly disagreed with my wonderful primary doctor who said about 8 years ago "It wouldn't hurt you to have a glass of wine every night!" Now I'm pretty confident that for people with ApoE 4/4, it might not be the best decision. ]

Congratulations on losing 7 lbs since you learned your status; for some of us, keeping weight on is a constant struggle; for others (hand raised) taking it off is one.

I'm including a recent reply to someone who asked a very similar question about her mum in England (she's in Canada), so the metrics will be familiar to you. I don't pretend to know what someone else should do; but with a strong family history of coronary artery and vascular disease and an Lp(a) score of 190, I am glad to take on very small pill of 20 mg atorvastatin daily that brought my LDL down from about 136 to the 60's range. Others on the forum may feel strongly that statins should be avoided.

Re: Seeking Guidance on Statins for APOE4 Carrier Mother

At age 52, you have time to help your future self, which may also involve talking with your doctor, if needed, about typical antidepressant or an atypical antidepressant like wellbutrin.

I hope this knowledge becomes empowering (after the initial normal rollercoaster emotions!)

Nancy

[VickyT]

Hi Nancy,

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to me. I don't think a glass of wine every night would work for me either! I haven't had any alcohol since finding out my APOE4 status which is around three weeks ago (except one day - which was my birthday) Finding out this status has been a bit of a wake-up call!
I've had a quick read of the link, and it's helpful, thank you. I will read it again and try to digest it - It's taking me a while to take things in, I have a lot to learn. I tried anti-depressants years ago and I never got on with them, but I haven't tried Wellbutrin, I will read up on it.
It's nice to chat with others like yourself, who also have APOE4/4 - it makes me feel less alone. I had a shock when I got my 23 & me results back! Thanks again ! Vicky x