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Have High Cholesterol And Triglyceride Levels. Have Had Irritable Bowel Movement. What Is Going On?
Question: My doctor called and said my cholesterol was over three hundred and the triglycerides were high too. I have had irritable bowel with often seven days between bowel movements. Yesterday when I had the blood test it had been six days of no bowel movement. Could this be the cause of increased cholesterol? The irritable has been since I was in my twenties...I am now 64. She wants to add a new drug besides the trilipix I am on now. I am not sure she know how bad the irritable bowel is. Thank you for this query line. XXXXXXX
Hello, XXXXXXX,
You state that you have been dignosed with Irritable
Bowel Syndrome since your early twenties. That is
very typical. Souds like you have the constipation
variety and not the diarrhea type. Your's is what is
called "Slow Transit" which means your intestinal
contractions are much slower .
I am sure that your doctor has eliminated all other
causes of constipation through blood tests and some
x-ray studies. Especially important is your thyroid
blood tests to make sure you don't have under active
thyroid. This can cause your cholesterol levels to go
high and your lipd levels also. Constipation, thinning
of hair, dry skin all go along with this condition.
IBS does not make your cholesterol and triglyceride
levels to go up.
If you are taking fiber supplements such as Metamucil,
that should help reduce the cholesterol.
There are effective cholesterol lowering agents available
and your doctor will find you one that is effective.
Some of the Statin type of drugs cause liver test
abnormalities , some muscle problems. The doctor will
be monitoring your liver tests periodically.
Make sure you drink enough fluids daily. You can also
take a polyethylene glycol solution to make your stool
soft. Start with 2-3 tablespoons a day and adjust the dose
till you start having lose stools and cut back to maintain
a normal bowel movement.
Fresh fruits and vegetables, 3-4 servings a day helps.
Whole grain cereal is good.
Hope this suggestion helps you to discuss with your doctor.
Wish you well.
You state that you have been dignosed with Irritable
Bowel Syndrome since your early twenties. That is
very typical. Souds like you have the constipation
variety and not the diarrhea type. Your's is what is
called "Slow Transit" which means your intestinal
contractions are much slower .
I am sure that your doctor has eliminated all other
causes of constipation through blood tests and some
x-ray studies. Especially important is your thyroid
blood tests to make sure you don't have under active
thyroid. This can cause your cholesterol levels to go
high and your lipd levels also. Constipation, thinning
of hair, dry skin all go along with this condition.
IBS does not make your cholesterol and triglyceride
levels to go up.
If you are taking fiber supplements such as Metamucil,
that should help reduce the cholesterol.
There are effective cholesterol lowering agents available
and your doctor will find you one that is effective.
Some of the Statin type of drugs cause liver test
abnormalities , some muscle problems. The doctor will
be monitoring your liver tests periodically.
Make sure you drink enough fluids daily. You can also
take a polyethylene glycol solution to make your stool
soft. Start with 2-3 tablespoons a day and adjust the dose
till you start having lose stools and cut back to maintain
a normal bowel movement.
Fresh fruits and vegetables, 3-4 servings a day helps.
Whole grain cereal is good.
Hope this suggestion helps you to discuss with your doctor.
Wish you well.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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