From: Melissa (wc02.mtnk.rnc.net.cable.rogers.com)
Subject: Why is my cholesterol level so high? :(
Date: December 29, 2001 at 1:18 pm PST

I'm a 28 year old female, 5'1" and just a wee bit overweight at 120lbs. I've been a lacto-ovo vegetarian for about three years now.

My total cholesterol reading has come back at 240 three times in a row and I must say that I was quite shocked to find out that I had such a high cholesterol level!

Admittedly, I haven't exercised much at all during the past two years since developing a condition called fibromyalgia. It's very hard for me to find the energy when I'm dealing with chronic fatigue and muscle pain on a regular basis.

Nobody in my immediate family has a problem with high cholesterol, despite the fact that they all eat a lot of meat and get relatively little exercise. So I'm not convinced that my high cholesterol is due to genetics.

I do have a couple health problems that aren't shared by any members in my immmediate family such as a genetic adrenal disorder (late onset CAH) that causes my adrenal glands to produce higher than normal levels of androgens, Hashimotos Thyroiditis and I am also on the birth control pill to balance my hormone levels out.

I'm going to try a vegan diet and make a strong effort to work out everyday (even if it kills me! *smile*) but at the same time I can't help but wonder if it's possible that being on the birth control pill, having thyroid problems and having slightly higher than normal levels of androgens could be having a negative influence on my cholesterol level.

Is there any known link between high cholesterol and thyroid or adrenal problems? Can the birth control pill raise cholesterol levels?

My apologies for the very long post! Guess I just needed to vent as I'm still in shock. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.