Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.What HIV meds (if any) can cause your cholesterol to rise? I'm taking Nelfinavir and Truvada (since June of this year) and I am a black male 46 years of age, postive over 13 years. My total cholesterol was 218 HDL-38 and LDL-148 . My docter talked to me about eating more fruit and oatmeal and other diet changing habits (also exercise), but I was wondering if my meds had some part of it as well? I had fasted the day the test was taken and the test befor that also (sorry don't have those numberes with me ).
Any info would help.
Trevor Hawkins, M. D.
Associate Clinical Professor, Dept. Family Practice, University New Mexico
Medical Director, Southwest CARE Center, Santa Fe, NM
You are right in assuming that HIV meds may play a significant part in raising Cholesterol levels (and Triglycerides) in people with HIV. Genetics also plays it's role as does your lifestyle habits.
Your numbers are not too bad but not great either. Optimal numbers are to get the LDL below 130gr/dl, and if you really want the best, below 100. HDL is the good cholesterol and is best above 40 but this is difficult to do. HIV itself reduces HDL and treatment of HIV does little to improve it. Exercise may help HDL.
As to how to improve your LDL, diet and exercise are the first ways. If your numbers were better before the nelfinavir, then you could switch to a more lipid friendly Protease Inhibitor such as Atazanavir. Discuss this with your doc as there are lots of other issues surrounding which HIV drug to take.
Finally, if the LDL is still too high, consider a Statin such as Lipitor or Crestor in low dose. It can help yur HDl as well.
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