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What Causes Low Grade Fever And Lethargy After Discontinuing Cholesterol Medication?
Question: My last checkup my doctor and I decided to not take my cholesterol meds for 6 weeks and see how my blood work when I returned. I am on my fifth week, for some reason i get a low grade headache and very sluggish in the afternoons. I was taking it every other day. Could it be that choleserol is up causing the issue???f
Brief Answer:
Generally Increase in cholesterol does not cause headache and fatigue
Detailed Answer:
Hello mam,
I did review your concern.
Generally high cholesterol and lipids do not directly cause headaches and fatigue or sluggishness. It infact has not symptoms and that is why mostly high cholesterol is caught on routine testing or caught in patients with a first adverse heart event or concomitant medical problem diagnosis like diabetes and hypertension.
I would recommend that you get evaluated for headache and fatigue. Generally such low grade headache and fatigue is noticed in people with underlying mild hypertension, diabetes and liver problem or it could be migraine or tension headache. Fatigue can also be seen in anemia and thyroid problems commonly.
Also any recent stress in your life and anxiety can cause such symptoms to appear.
I would recommend doing few things for workup if not recently done-
1)Blood pressure measurement.
2)random blood sugar and fasting blood sugar.
3)Complete blood count and blood lipid and cholesterol levels.
After we have results of these test we can move in a specific direction if indicated.
I would recommend that if your cholesterol levels are still high you begin your medications again after consultation with your doctor and continue it for longer periods of time. They are definitely proven to decrease mortality in people with high cholesterol.
Also, I would advice life style modifications like foods low in saturated fats, refined sugars and salts and high in fibers and complex carbohydrates like fresh fruits and vegetables along with regular 20-30 mins of aerobic exercise. These go a long way in reducing cholesterol and sugar as well as blood pressure issues.
So all in all to answer your question, generally high cholesterol would not cause the symptoms you have been having,But they can be caused by other body problems as i outlined a few common ones for you above.
I hope this helps
Wish you all the best.
Let me know if you have any more questions and concerns.
Sincerely,
Dr Parth Desai
Generally Increase in cholesterol does not cause headache and fatigue
Detailed Answer:
Hello mam,
I did review your concern.
Generally high cholesterol and lipids do not directly cause headaches and fatigue or sluggishness. It infact has not symptoms and that is why mostly high cholesterol is caught on routine testing or caught in patients with a first adverse heart event or concomitant medical problem diagnosis like diabetes and hypertension.
I would recommend that you get evaluated for headache and fatigue. Generally such low grade headache and fatigue is noticed in people with underlying mild hypertension, diabetes and liver problem or it could be migraine or tension headache. Fatigue can also be seen in anemia and thyroid problems commonly.
Also any recent stress in your life and anxiety can cause such symptoms to appear.
I would recommend doing few things for workup if not recently done-
1)Blood pressure measurement.
2)random blood sugar and fasting blood sugar.
3)Complete blood count and blood lipid and cholesterol levels.
After we have results of these test we can move in a specific direction if indicated.
I would recommend that if your cholesterol levels are still high you begin your medications again after consultation with your doctor and continue it for longer periods of time. They are definitely proven to decrease mortality in people with high cholesterol.
Also, I would advice life style modifications like foods low in saturated fats, refined sugars and salts and high in fibers and complex carbohydrates like fresh fruits and vegetables along with regular 20-30 mins of aerobic exercise. These go a long way in reducing cholesterol and sugar as well as blood pressure issues.
So all in all to answer your question, generally high cholesterol would not cause the symptoms you have been having,But they can be caused by other body problems as i outlined a few common ones for you above.
I hope this helps
Wish you all the best.
Let me know if you have any more questions and concerns.
Sincerely,
Dr Parth Desai
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Answered by
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