Lipoprotein a – How to Lower Lipoprotein a
Lipoprotein(a) levels are not affected by the foods you eat or your activity level. There are no prescription medications, including statin drugs, that have an impact on reducing levels. That doesn’t mean you don’t have options if you live with an elevated lipoprotein(a). Using supplements, such as omega 3’s, niacin, and vitamin C are three options for reducing lipoprotein(a).
Work with your doctor to learn your lipoprotein(a) and the best treatment approach for you.
Testing lipoprotein a
Function of lipoprotein a
Dangers of elevated lipoprotain a
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps
I believe that my highly elevated levels of lpa come from exposure to toxins from a breast implant. Along with this I have elevated levels of CLA and APA. According to blood tests I have had these in my body for at least 19 years. I have not yet suffered a heart attack or stroke. I am otherwise considered healthy for my age of 62. I am a female.I cholesterol levels are being controlled by zocor and tricor. I have a total cholesterol of 180. LDl 101, HDl 81, and Tri of 63.
Do all these elevated levels of LPA, CLA and APA mean I will definately develope problems. Is there anything preventative that I can do.
My implants were removed in 1993. Thank you for your time, Shelli
Hi Shelli,
If your implants were the contributing factor to your elevated CLA, APA, and Lipoprotein(a) then your levels should have improved somewhat since the removal. If they have not I think there are additional factors causing your elevated levels. Lipoprotein(a) is mainly a hereditary factor. Just as an FYI, I have a similar issue. My standard cholesterol labwork is great, but my Lipoprotein(a) is off the chart. There are steps you can try to improve levels, such as niacin supplements, vitamin C, and omega 3 fatty acids. However, I recommend discussing all supplements with your physician. I just learned my lipoprotein(a) was high this past summer. I’ve implemented these strategies to lower it, but I haven’t re-checked my levels yet to see if it’s been effective or not. I’m not as familiar with steps to lower CLA and APA off the top of my head.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
I am 29 yr male, was having problem of high BP (130/90) for about an year. Two months ago , I got my complete lipid profile checked. In that report, my LPa level was found at 168, my cholestrol level was at borderline, and other factors like Apolipoprotien were within range. Thereafter, I started with Placeux Therapy with Dr. Mirchandani at Gurgaon, India. It has been 6 weeks now, and I have had taken 5ml, 10ml, 10ml, 15ml, 15ml and then 20ml of PXN. Tp the surprise of everyone, by BP has only worsened during this period. It has become almost 130/100-110 during the past week.
I havent been taking any allopathic medicine till now. i have been taking – Niacin, Vit C, Vit E, Folic Acid and R85 (Dr. Reckeweg). But it wasnt able to control by high BP. So the doctor started with Amlodipin 5 mg yesterday.
I would like to know your opinion about my case.
Regards
Namit
Hello Lisa:
Last year I had my LP(a) tested and it was 195.
I started taking Niacin, according to the study from {Norway I believe}. It is a reliable brand, sold in the major health food store [inositol hexanicotinate}, fish oil and Vit C working my way up to 2100 mg Niacin. In 6 months my LP(a) went to 187 so underwhelming I increased it to 2400 mg. 9 months it went to 190 and now a year later, it is at 201 really underwhelming!
Since yours is also high, I know you have a personal interest and I wonder if you have found anything to help lower it?
y other lipids are fine, and I eat well and exercise.
If I can somehow get mine down, I will pass the info along to you.
Thanks for your time,
Ann P
Hi Ann,
How discouraging! It’s been a year now and I really need to get my lp(a) levels retested to see what’s happened for me. I haven’t done such high levels of niacin. Did you listen to the teleseries “Conversations with the Masters of Healing” hosted by Dr. Shelby-Lane? She interviewed cardiologist Dr. Stephen Sinatra and during the call I mentioned my exceedingly high levels (162) and he recommended niacin, omega 3′s, and nanokinase (in his book his also covers Vitamin C). I haven’t looked into where you can purchase nanokinase yet. He also recommended I do regular “Earthing”. Have you ever heard of this? I hadn’t until this call a couple weeks ago, but benefits have been linked to walking barefoot outside, such as blood thinning. If you are interested in replays from this series, you can still register and purchase call replays – http://www.goldbar.net/ua/link.php?affID=lmg_ad.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Heart Healthy Tips
Hi Lisa,
IS LP(a) sometimes impacted by diet/exercise? I had a full lipid panel done in May – HDL was 81, LDL was 124,
Lipoprotein(a)was also 124. Thinking there might be a mix up and they read my LDL as my LP(a), I declined to start statin meds tolower LDL and opted to try diet, exercise, just to see if I could make a difference. I wasn’t hoping to lower my LP(a), which I understood was not impacted by diet, but when I was re-checked, my LDL had dropped to 114, and so had my LP(a) – same number. Hmmm… This strikes me as an unusual coincidence. You too? Of course, my MD wants to start me on Zocor asap. I’m not convinced that’s the right approach, especially if they’re misreading test results. Plus, I have no family history of early onset CV disease – just late in life stuff in my dad who is not at all active. Mom has borderline high LDL, but also has high HDL and is active. I am fit, low BMI, very active. Think I need to speak with a Cardiologist rather than my GP? Any input is appreciated – thanks!
Hi Leslie,
I would also be skeptical of the lab results. That doesn’t mean they aren’t accurate, but I’d want everything double checked with a comprehensive lipid panel before agreeing to any medication. I personally had the Lipoprotein Particle Panel through SpectraCell Labs (you can check it out online). This gives you not only the basics (total chol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides), but also a look at the particle sizes. Some are healthy and some are not. This goes for LDL and HDL. The only way to know if the medication is necessary is to look at the particle sizes. Your physician can contact the spectracell 800 number to request the test kit, complete the blood draw, and send it in.
You did ask if I think the drop in Lipoprotein(a) could be related to the diet/exercise changes you’ve made. A decrease of 10 points is not necessarily significant in this case and may be related to variation in lab testing and a little bit due to lifestyle changes. However, as you already know, diet/exercise tend to have little impact on lipoprotein(a).
A physician I highly recommend is Dr. Cynthia Shelby-Lane. Her medical practice is located in Detroit, but you are able to work with her online as a “health coach” via relayhealth. Let me clarify what I mean by “health coach”. She is a physician, but due to state licensure laws she can make recommendations and guide you out of state, but lab tests or medications she recommends would need to be ordered through your regular physician. This means I’m not sure how your insurance would cover her services. However, I know she is well versed in lipid levels, interpreting lab results, and appropriate treatment steps. I’m not sure a cardiologist would be able to help you more than your regular physician. They are so quick to prescribe medications. . .that are not always necessary. FYI – The American Heart Association recommends LDL be less than 130 mg/dl. If you do not have a strong family history of heart disease there may not be a need to push to get your levels lower.
Sorry, I’m not giving you a clear cut solution:) HOWEVER, step #1 would be a comprehensive lipid panel!
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Thanks SO much, Lisa! I appreciate your thoughtful, detailed response. I will follow up on all suggestions and report back when I have some results. I have found online resources to be so helpful in my investigation, and if I can help someone else along the way, all the better. Thanks again!
HI
Can you share more on the quantities of vitamin C you should take if you have high Lipoprotein a? Mine is at 164. I already take 1000 mgs of omega 3s and just had to stop niaspan because I already have low blood pressure and at 1000 mgs, it dropped my bp too much. Help?
Hi Shelly,
Cardiologist Dr. Stephen Sinatra recommends at least 1000 mg Vitamin C and potentially higher depending on lipoprotein(a) levels. I’d consult your physician to determine if a higher dose would be beneficial.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
http://lisanelsonrd.com
Here’s an interesting article I think you’ll enjoy reading:
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2004/mar2004_ch_01.htm
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
http://lisanelsonrd.com
I recently had a physical and my results said that my lipoprotein (a) was 310. It was marked H for High but my doctor did not say anything to me about this and I am wondering why! Needless to say I am quite upset and plan to call him in the am. The rest of my test was Chol = 92, Trig = 55, HDL = 91, VLDL = 11.00, LDL-CALC = 90, Chol/hdl = 2.1 I asm a 57 year old female, with good blood pressure. Only meds I take are synthroid and Crestor every other day and an aspirin. I do have a family hx of heart disease but I am worried about this 310 number..can u tell me why it is so high and why my doctor did not flag this..thank u
Judy, I learned last week that my Lp a is 210. I will also be watching for the reply to your question, and wishing you the best of results!
Here’s some good information on lipoprotein(a) – http://www.drsinatra.com/lower-lpa-with-5-nutrients
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
http://lisanelsonrd.com
My LP(a) started a year and a half ago at 198 nmol/L, it is now down to 35 nmol/L. Thanks to Dr. William Davis’s (http://www.trackyourplaque.com/blog/?s=LP%28a%29&searchsubmit.x=8&searchsubmit.y=16)advice that I followed in the Track Your Plaque book, including 4800mg combined EPA, DHA fish oil and 2000mg Niaspan, etc.
I also want ot mention though that I have been following the Linus Pauling protocol as well, which I believe has a synergistic effect with the other principles applied.
An interesting thing happened that is worth mentioning, my LP(a) had been gradually dropping over that period of a year and a half from 198 to 45 nmol/L, then I switched to immediate release niacin and my LP(a) jumped back up to 150 nmol/L. That was the only change I made, so I switched back to Niaspan and that is when it went back down to 35 nmol/L.
Kent
Hi Lisa, I just had blood work done at the end of the year and was told that my Lp(a) is 343. My overall numbers are much lower – total cholesteral is 109, LDL is 47, HDL is 49, Trig are low, blood pressure is normal 120/70-80. I do have a couple of genetic factors for blood clotting and some other vascular problems. Could this be tied into that? I’m having an IMT done at the end of the month to check my carotids but it sounds like there’s not a whole lot that can be done to alter the actual number? I guess I’ll start researching vitamin C and niacin!
Tracey
Hi Tracey,
That is great you had more comprehensive lab work with such “normal” cholesterol levels. Yes, the issues you’ve had could very well be connected to the high Lp(a) level.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
My CPR is 14 and my LP(a) is 92. I do not have high blood pressure and cholesteral checks out normal as does other basic testing. I am over weight. What do I do to lower and please put into perspective “how high is the risk”….I am trying not to freak out!
Hi Lisa, I just had my blood ran a few weeks ago, I am a 31 year old male. My cholesterol was 218, Triglycerides were 333, my HDL was 36, my LDL was 115. Then I got my Lipoprotein (a) and is was 263 nmol/L. I went to see my cardiologist about this and he told me to diet and exercise of course and put me on a vitamin regiment consisting of 1000mg of niacin (time released) a day, 3 grams of vitamin C a day, Acetyl L-Carnitine 1000mg a day, and CM Core 1000 mg a day. Plus changing my life style. I was just wondering if this is a good way to lower my Lpa levels and is it safe. Any info back on this would be great and thank you for your time.
Houston
Can accutane affect Lp(a) levels and LDL levels? Thank you.
Hi Sal,
I have not looked into the connection between accutane and Lp(a). If/when I do, I will be sure to share what I learn.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
http://lisanelsonrd.com
Hi Houston,
This plan is a great place to start and then monitor levels for changes. This could very well lower levels as needed.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
http://lisanelsonrd.com
Hi Lynne,
If you haven’t already, I recommend discussing your levels with your doctor to determine the treatment they recommend specifically for you. I do recommend you investigate further and identify steps you can take to lower levels.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
http://lisanelsonrd.com