Hey Health Forum people, I'm having a brain fart, maybe you can help

[Pool Hall Ace]

During a hospitalization in early February, it was discovered that I have high cholesterol (259 mg/dL) and that Zocor has been prescribed. I was standing at the nurse's station when I was informed of this by the psychiatrist, who just happened to mention it as he was passing through.

I've been reading the posts in this forum regarding cholesterol and I've bookmarked Dr. Sinatra's site. I've been making improvements in my diet, but I realize that the psychiatrist didn't inform me of the numbers for LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides.

So my question is this: What is the best way to find out this information? I don't have a primary care physician up here, so I'm guessing there is someone I can call at the hospital, but where do I start?

Thanks :hi:

[supernova]

1. Call the Medical Records Dept

and have them send you copies of your records from your hospitalization. The lab reports, including the blood work with all the cholesterol numbers, will be in there.

Oh, you will have to sign a release form (or perhaps just write a letter, depends on the hospital) return that, then they will send you your records.

edit: if you have access to a fax machine, you can fax your request and ask that the records be faxed back to you. it can be done that way too for timeliness.

[Pool Hall Ace]

7. I guess that is the best option.

I have no idea who the prescribing doc was; I couldn't read the signature. On the pill bottle, it just gives the hospital name. I don't have a fax machine here, but I guess I could go to the UPS Store. Thanks ! :hi:

[gcomeau]

2. Why is a psychiatrist the one telling you about a cholesterol drug prescription?

Or did you mean pharmacist?

The hospital should have a central switchboard... just call them, tell them what you need, let them figure out who to direct you to. They have to have your test results on file somewhere.

[Pool Hall Ace]

5. It was a psychiatric hospitalization.

I had a grade 1 meningioma (benign) removed in January. Recovery was okay physically but very rough emotionally. On top of that my husband dumped me, and I couldn't deal with everything, so I committed myself.

I wasn't counting on anyone checking my cholesterol, but they did.

[Warpy]

3. Start with the doc who prescribed the drug.

Go into his office, show your ID to the office staff, and tell them you just want to know the breakdown of your cholesterol numbers. You might need to make an appointment with the doc so he can go over them with you.

Dietary improvements will only shave 10% off your total. The rest of your cholesterol load is produced by your liver and is genetically predetermined. Exercise can raise those LDL numbers and daily whole oats can give you the maximum dietary effect. You can do Cheerios or generic clones if you can't stand oatmeal.

There are things to watch out for while you're on Zocor, like muscle weakness and pain, but I'm sure you've researched all that, too, and know what to do if it happens.

The raw numbers won't mean a whole lot. You are already doing something to lower them, the drugs, and you know the lifestyle changes you need to make to improve your chances at living longer. However, starting with the prescribing doc is the way to go if you really think you need to know them.

[Dorian Gray]

4. Dietary improvements

scaled my overall cholesterol from 243 to 150.

But I did need exercise to get my good cholesterol from 30 to 50. (Diet alone didn't do that.)

(More than 10%, I would say.)

[Pool Hall Ace]

6. Exercise was part of my routine before the surgery

and I certainly will be getting back into it after I recover. Right now, all I can enjoy is brisk walks with my dog. :)