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What Does My Blood Test Report Indicate When Having High BP And Cholesterol?
Question: Hello - I am a 56 year old female diagnosed with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I am on 40 mg Lisinopril, 10 mg Alodapine, and 10 mg Simistatin. I just received CBC and CMP blood test results. They show that my RBC count , Hemoglobin, and Hemocrit are borderline low. Urea nitrogen, Bun Crea, AST/SGOT are borderline high. My previous blood test ( taken when I had just started Lisinopril but had NOT been on Simistatin or Alodapine) showed no low or high elevations ( except for cholesterol). My FNP attributed the high urea, AST, and Bun to dehydration and suggested that I drink more water. I did some research on the effects of the drugs I am taking and saw that elevations in these areas is common and should be monitored for potential kidney and/or liver damage. My FNP did not indicate there was any thing to be concerned about and did not say I should have another blood test. The Alodapine is causing feet and leg swelling but she said that it is doing such a good job at lowering my blood pressure (now 120/83 whereas Lisinopril was only lowering it to 158/102) and does not want to reduce the dosage. I have also had a 10 pound weight loss since starting the Lisinopril and Simistatin putting me at 92 pounds at 5ft 3”. This could be attributed to a major change in diet for the cholesterol or could be the effects of these medicines and muscle loss ? Thank you for a second opinion.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would like to explain that slight deviations of the above mentioned blood parameters is not a matter to be worried about.
It is true that Simvastatin may cause skeletal muscles as well as liver injuries, leading to muscle weakness and pains associated with abnormal AST/ALT as well as CPK levels increase. But, in general, an important 5 to 6 fold increase is enough to clearly indicate the medication stopping. After lab tests normalization and restarting the drug, these side effects usually will not appear again.
Regarding Amlodipine, lower limbs edema are a common adverse effects in nearly 10% if patients. They may appear even 2-to 3 weeks after therapy initiation.
If clinically apparent, it is necessary to review again with your prescribing doctor the opportunity to change for a more safe alternative (probably another calcium channel blocker or another antihypetensive class agent).
Seems, that your diet modulation to a healthy one, coupled with cholesterol lowering agent have shown their beneficial effects regarding weight loss.
As long as you don't have the undelying symptomatology and extremely increased muscular enzymes level (AST/ALT, CPK, etc), there is not any danger that a muscle lysis/loss is happening.
Please. could you upload your lab tests results, to have a more exact view of the issue.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings! Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would like to explain that slight deviations of the above mentioned blood parameters is not a matter to be worried about.
It is true that Simvastatin may cause skeletal muscles as well as liver injuries, leading to muscle weakness and pains associated with abnormal AST/ALT as well as CPK levels increase. But, in general, an important 5 to 6 fold increase is enough to clearly indicate the medication stopping. After lab tests normalization and restarting the drug, these side effects usually will not appear again.
Regarding Amlodipine, lower limbs edema are a common adverse effects in nearly 10% if patients. They may appear even 2-to 3 weeks after therapy initiation.
If clinically apparent, it is necessary to review again with your prescribing doctor the opportunity to change for a more safe alternative (probably another calcium channel blocker or another antihypetensive class agent).
Seems, that your diet modulation to a healthy one, coupled with cholesterol lowering agent have shown their beneficial effects regarding weight loss.
As long as you don't have the undelying symptomatology and extremely increased muscular enzymes level (AST/ALT, CPK, etc), there is not any danger that a muscle lysis/loss is happening.
Please. could you upload your lab tests results, to have a more exact view of the issue.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings! Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. Sharka,
Thank you for you quick response. I have uploaded the lab results showing the Urea, BUN, and AST. Thank you for letting me know if these numbers are of any concern.
Thank you !
Thank you for you quick response. I have uploaded the lab results showing the Urea, BUN, and AST. Thank you for letting me know if these numbers are of any concern.
Thank you !
Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry about!
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX!
I have carefully reviewed your lab tests results, and I am glad to confirm all the above slight deviations are quite unimportant and clinically insignificant.
It doesn't seem to be any adverse drug effects. There is no place for justified anxiety!
Just relax!
I recommend performing your routine medical checkups as previously scheduled. You would be able then to compare your lab test results and see the therapy effects (cholesterol levels) and potential adverse effects.
Best regards,
Dr. Iliri
Nothing to worry about!
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX!
I have carefully reviewed your lab tests results, and I am glad to confirm all the above slight deviations are quite unimportant and clinically insignificant.
It doesn't seem to be any adverse drug effects. There is no place for justified anxiety!
Just relax!
I recommend performing your routine medical checkups as previously scheduled. You would be able then to compare your lab test results and see the therapy effects (cholesterol levels) and potential adverse effects.
Best regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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