A review of being diagnosed with hyperlipidemia after a health checkup at Ajou University Hospital

After the Ajou University Hospital health check-up, I received a diagnosis report indicating hyperlipidemia with a level of 230.

Hyperlipidemia is a condition characterized by high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides in the blood, and to quickly normalize it, I was referred for treatment at the hospital where I recently underwent a health checkup.

✅Reference

Hyperlipidemia directly causes cardiovascular diseases such as arteriosclerosis, hypertension, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart attack, so it must be normalized as quickly as possible. If total cholesterol is 200 or higher, LDL cholesterol is 130 or higher, and triglycerides are 150 or higher, it is diagnosed as hyperlipidemia (unit mg/dL). The four items tested include HDL cholesterol as well.

 

1️⃣ Cause of illness

I started gaining weight while taking medication for rheumatoid arthritis.

It's not just weight gain from medication side effects, but I also feel a slight depression and become lethargic, not going outside and staying indoors almost for a year.

I gained more than 10 kilograms and underwent a health checkup, during which I was additionally diagnosed with hyperlipidemia.

 

 

2️⃣ Treatment

I developed an allergy while taking rheumatoid arthritis medication and cholesterol-lowering medication together.

I temporarily stopped taking rheumatoid arthritis medication at the allergy department and only took cholesterol-lowering medication for about three months, staying at home and avoiding going out, but gradually I was able to go outside.

Then, I started walking around my house.

After a while, I downloaded the Cash Walk app and started walking 10,000 steps every day.

Starting to lose a little weight makes me feel better.

When I underwent the annual health checkup again, my cholesterol level was 170.

 

3. Side effects caused by medications

Allergies have developed due to rheumatoid arthritis medication and hyperlipidemia medication.

I underwent several more tests at the allergy department and received additional prescriptions for allergy medication, which resulted in a significantly large amount of medication. No matter how much medication I took, my allergies did not improve.

Temporary discontinuation of rheumatoid arthritis medication, only taking medication for hyperlipidemia and allergies, but the allergy did not improve, so even after changing the hyperlipidemia medication, it did not work.

Rather, allergies make me feel depressed, and I often experience indigestion even when I exercise. I heard it could be a side effect of the cholesterol-lowering medication.

Rheumatoid arthritis medication -> cholesterol-lowering medication -> allergy department medication, I decided to boldly stop all these medications one by one and try to manage with exercise and diet.

 

4️⃣ Exercise and Dietary Habit Improvement

✅ Exercise

I escaped from home and started walking around the park near my house, installing the Cash Walk app and tracking 10,000 steps daily while also doing a few strength exercises installed in the park.

 

✅ Improve eating habits

To improve hyperlipidemia, which is caused by high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.

I consistently consumed various green and yellow vegetables rich in dietary fiber, such as vegetable scraps, barley, seaweed, garlic, eggplant, and onions.

 

I avoided processed carbohydrates and instant foods.

Vitamin C intake that helps with cholesterol excretion was achieved through consuming fresh vegetables and fruits.

Reducing animal fats and increasing plant-based fats - consumption of omega-3 fatty acids from oily fish

Maintaining standard weight and appropriate exercise

 

5️⃣ Result [Unchanging high cholesterol level in the 230s]

The persistent high cholesterol level increased again to the 230s after stopping medication, despite improving exercise and diet habits.

However, the triglyceride levels were high despite good cholesterol levels being within the normal range.

I hope it doesn't come out higher anymore...

Due to allergies, I have not been taking medication so far, but I am diligently practicing exercise and improving my eating habits.