<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Wow. I was amazed at how helpful and positive everyone was and the amount of responses. Thank you very much. There were so many helpful suggestions, I hope I don't forget any. After looking at all of the info. and applying it to my situation, I have decided to hold off on the Lipitor at this point. At this time, I don't believe the side effects of statin drugs (lipitor) outweigh the benefits. I do have a treadmill scheduled to look at heart issues (due to family history of heart disease but not early onset) but don't think this will really be a problem (of course I could again be surprised).  I guess this has really been a much needed wake-up call that I really needed to watch my diet much more closely. I have been eating too much dairy, corn products and homemade GF bread (not low fat or cholesterol free) and as quite a few people pointed out this could definitely raise the cholesterol level and that my body was now absorbing nutrients vs. GF diet. Several pointed out that a total cholesterol of 211 was not that high unless triglycerides and HDL were out of wack which they are. I haven't gotten the numbers on the triglycerides or HDL yet but will. I have a nuclear medicine study scheduled this week to look at the thyroid nodules. Several people suggested making sure TSH levels were okay and in reference to the new guidelines rather than the old (doc said they were OK but I think he was referencing old guidelines) and checking liver enzymes. I believe these are excellent suggestions since the liver has much to do with cholesterol level in the blood and I know my liver enzymes were not correct in March. Several people suggested remembering that CD was autoimmune and can contribute to other health issues. I feel like I'm educating my doc along the way as many of you mentioned that you also had to do. I live in a rural area so switching to another doc isn't easy, especially since I've already fired (ha!ha!) 4 others. This one is at least willing to listen and run tests that I ask for.

Here is a summary of the helpful suggestions. Sorry this is so long but there were a lot of suggestions.
One person thought low-cholesterol thing is wrong--every study done has proved that. This person believed cholesterol acts in the body in much the same 
way as white blood cells - it helps protect you against stress and disease. you can check out www.thincs.org. Also check www.westonaprice.org for information on proper nutrition (it's not specifically gluten-free, however, it's still very useful), and they also have stuff about cholesterol here  http://www.westonaprice.org/know_your_fats/know_your_fats.html . 

One person thought all the symptoms sounded like hypothyroid issues- weight gain and aches,cholesterol, plus the nodules.  If your TSH test was above 1.0, then you are probably hypo, even though you might be technically in the range.  The new scale should no longer go up to 5.5, and many doctors are behind on this. They asked about having adrenals checked? These problems go hand in hand with CD.  Check out the about thyroid website with Mary Shoman.  You have many classic symptoms!  http://thyroid.about.com/library/weekly/mpreviss.htm

article below from NYTimes.com 
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/12/health/13HEART.html?ex=1092146433&ei=1&en=38db62ac2325a903


Supplements: Flax seed; Chinese Red Yeast; cholestene--2 pills with breakfast and 2 with dinner, this person cholesterol came down 60 pts in one month! super garlic also helps;  eating rice bran with yogert every morning and after 6 months cholesterol went down 60 pts;  garlic, cod liver oil, fish oil tablets and softgels and one person lowered cholesterol from 230 to 198 after 4 months


Change Diet: No partially hydrogenated oil, saturated fat, less red meat and less simple carbohydrates. Another person suggested the GF flours rice, tapioca, and potato starch are high glucemic index and should be reduced in diet. Make cookies and breads with sorghum and/or pure buckwheat flour as part of GF mix. Eat Quinoa cereals. Another suggested the Warrior Diet.  Triglycerides go up with carbs and alcohol--drop gluten food substitutes and sticking with whole foods--fruit, veggies & meat

One person didn't think 211 is high cholesterol but depends on what HDLs and LDLs are. A homocysteine level or CR-P test(c-reactive protein test) should be done to check for inflammation in heart? These are ordered by cardiologists. Homocysteine levels can be reduced by taking more folic acid. They suggested reading Syndrome X: The complete nutritional program to prevent and reverse insulin resisitance by Jack Challem, Burton Berkson, MD and Melissa Diane Smith

One person thought total cholesterol was irrelevant. Only ratios of LDL, HDL and triglicerides tell you anything about your risk for heart disease.
http://www.mercola.com/1998/archive/cholesterol_irrelevant_to_heart_disease_risk.htm
Also, statin drugs have repeatedly been shown to be ineffective for reducing risk of mortality and heart attacks.
http://www.mercola.com/2004/jul/28/statin_drugs.htm
http://www.mercola.com/2003/jan/4/pravachol.htm

Joint pain may be related to vitamin and mineral deficiencies and/or an elevated immune response which can be common after going gluten free--taking a
liquid vitamin and mineral supplement with extra calcium, magnesium and gelatin.

One took Zocor for high cholesterol which made them very sick. They thought there was a connection b/t thyroid malfunction and cholesterol. They suggested demanding lowest dose of Lipitor. This person dropped 110 pts in 17 days but took months to regain strength. They thought w/ CD we need cholesterol for cell repair. Another said if you take Lipitor, get liver enzyme tests initially and repeated to make sure no adverse side effects.

One person suggested a naturopathic doctor as they are better trained in issues like nutrition and CD.

One person believed it is myth that diet helps more than 5-10% for cholesterol. Even severe fat restriction doesn't bring numbers in check. Boost HDL through exercise and drugs. Also hypothyroidism (low thyroid output) causes cholesterol numbers to rise and to gain weight. This person cautioned to use the new lab standards for TSH (.3-3.4). They said that 1-3.5 are usually ideal--most people feel much better between one and two. They suggested doing the home test called Barnes Basal Thermometer Test which measures your body temp and can give an even more accurate idea of whether you are hypo than the TSH does. They suggested doing a Google search for more info. They suggested seeing an endocrinologist if TSH is too high. They also suggested ALWAYS asking for lab copies! It is the law that docs have to give them to you. 

One nurse thought no one should take lipitor. She's seen lots of bad side effects (muscle pain & cramps). No study has ever proven that cholesterol lowering drugs extend life or improve health.  Only thing proven about these drugs is they lower cholesterol and have horrid side effects. They recommended the book THE CHOLESTEROL MYTHS by Uffe Ravnskov MD.   The following websites were suggested: http://www.drdavidwilliams.com/order/new_health_breakthroughs/page_3.asp?promo_code=4J4001&key_code=4J4103 http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2004/03/18/lipitor_side_effects_and_natural_remedy.htm

One person mentioned new drug Vytorin which lowers cholesterol in 2 ways. It reduces cholesterol production in the liver and prevents cholesterol absorption in the intestine.

Thank you all. Your help and guidance were an answer to my prayers. 

Live well and be heatlhy.

Mary in Kansas

* Visit the Celiac Web Page at www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/index.html *