Practically the only abnormal test result I've ever had has been a ridiculously low cholesterol level. I've been sick for at least 10 years, just recently diagnosed with Lyme in August, and my LLMD is the only doctor to suggest that this might be a problem. My direct LDL is consistently low, usually 24 at the very most, which is wierd because I have always eaten so much cholesterol and never really watched my diet.
My LLMD thinks that cholesterol that is too low can cause nerve problems and may contribute to my severe neuropathy. It isn't coming up with diet changes or adding fish oil supplements. I can't find much research on this topic other than a study suggesting that low cholesterol causes depression.
Do you think this is caused by Lyme or that it is related in any way? If I could raise cholesterol levels and improve pain levels, treatment would be a lot more bearable. Also, any ideas besides diet changes/ fish oil to raise LDL?
Posted by mjbucuk (Member # 843) on :
quote: a study suggesting that low cholesterol causes depression.
Maybe that's why I got suicidal the 2 times I was put on Lipitor!
My youngest son eats a giant bowl of ice cream every night to 'help' with his mepron digestion. I know that his cholesterol levels were higher than they used to be...
Posted by tkearn5000 (Member # 18157) on :
I also have low cholesterol levels and don't know why. I have been eating eggs daily in an attempt to raise it, and trying to exercise to raise my good cholesterol as well.
A theory that I have, which I haven't had a chance to discuss with my dr. yet is that my high ACTH levels are causing my low cholesterol.
Apperantly ACTH acts on cholesterol and converts it into pregnenolone, which I also have high levels of.
My LLMD actually asked me if I was taking pregnenolone supps because of how high my levels were.
Now I just have to figure out why my adrenals are putting out so much ACTH. I guess it must be lyme related.
Posted by DoctorLuddite (Member # 13853) on :
The adrenals don't put out ACTH, the pituitary does, the ACTH acts on the adrenals, stimulating them to produce mineralocorticoids, like cortisol, from the raw material of cholesterol, produced by the liver and also obtained from the diet. If your cholesterol is and has always been low, what has your cortisol level been? it may be that you have cushings syndrome or a variant of it. Also, vitamin D is made under the skin from a cholesterol ligand; if your cholesterol AND vitamin D are low, due to over production of cortisol and or pregnenolone using up your cholesterol reserves, you would also be at risk for a multitude of problems related to D deficiency.