High triglyceride level with normal HDL and LDL
My dad has always had high triglyceride levels, while HDL and LDL numbers are normal, from being on statins for years. But the Triglyceride number do not come down at all. He's constantly showing over 300 mg/dL. His last test, for instance, overall cholesterol was 109, HDL was 32, LDL was 43, and triglyceride was 375. Is this concerning? His doctor seems to wave it aside as a no biggie. From what I have learned from your podcast, triglyceride is a big deal. I would very much appreciate an extended explanation and current thinking on this topic. Thank you!
GI Health
Can't say enough good about all the information you and the team provide. I was wondering if you would please consider doing an interview with a leading gastrointestinal expert. Having a healthy gi tract is a relevant longevity issue. I know many otherwise healthy active people in their 50’s and 60’s dealing with problems like diverticulitis who could benefit greatly from having a management guideline to follow. Who needs a bowel resection to grind the good life to a halt? The current information for the public regarding use of probiotics and prebiotics is overwhelming. Thanks for considering this.
Quantifying the Risk/Reward Ratio of COVID-19 vaccination in people with existing medical conditions which are likely to be adversely impacted by vaccination.
In 1998 I was diagnosed with broncho-alveolar sarcoid and was treated with prednisolone. Proving to be extremely intolerant of oral steroids, I struggled through 6 months of low dose treatment (2.5 mg bd). With literally days to go until I completed treatment and a normal bronchoscopy I went against my instincts and took my then GP's advice and had a 'flu vaccination (UK NHS recommendation). The result was a significant flare reaction and a return to oral steroids. How I survived the next 18 months I will never know but treatment was unsuccessful. Fortunately I was under the care of an excellent physician who supported my change of treatment to greatly increased exercise (my benchmark was and remains being able to complete a marathon), eating fibrous and avoiding sugary or starchy carbohydrates and acupuncture. This combination was successful and dictates how I live my life. However, I was left with significant HPA axis dysfunction at pituitary level and a glucocorticoid-induced brain injury. The lack of essential hormones involves diligent attention to replacement, maintaining my physical fitness enables me listen to podcasts and, whilst many of the memory access issues have either resolved or I have developed techniques to manage, I still have absences when certain circumstances combine. (I'm currently doing an MSc in Clinical Education so have access to considerable clinical resources but glucocorticoid-induced brain injury data are difficult to find. Help/suggestions welcome!) Clearly my immune system is 'quirky' and whilst I no longer have active sarcoidosis, I have small vessel vasculitis instead! Given my past experiences, quantifying the risk/reward regarding COVID-19 vaccination is clearly not simple. I am actually pro-vaccination but know equally that just because something is on offer doesn't make it good for you. Ironically it is not the vaccine that is the issue here but my body's likely physiological response to it, treatment of which I am extremely unlikely to tolerate. I would welcome your general thoughts. Also, you have recently written about cognitive impairment in association with low cholesterol levels. I've read that glucocorticoid therapy, even at low doses and for relatively short periods of time, can damage cells within the hippocampus. Are you able to guide me towards any information on the mode of action by which this occurs? Many thanks.