"Niacin can raise HDL — the "good" cholesterol — by 15 to 35 percent. This makes niacin the most effective drug available for raising HDL cholesterol. While niacin's effect on HDL is of most interest, it's worth noting that niacin also decreases your LDL and triglyceride levels. High levels of LDL and triglycerides are significant risk factors for heart disease."
BLUE-MEANIE the last time I had to have a surgery, I drove back down to Clovis, CA (where I lived before I lived in here WA State) and had surgery there at St. Agnes Hospital, by someone my *old* doctor recommended.
I ENVY your doctor... oh I wish, I wish! You lucky girl!
I started the Niacin on my own... (Had to find out about it and everything else on my own too!!) The flushing isn't bad, but the itching was intolerable...he he he
My doctor put me on Niacin several months ago to raise my HDL. I love her - she was educated in the Ukraine, so she has a more open-minded view of alternative treatments. She likes homeopathic remedies also. She suggested Sinusin for my chronic sinus headaches/allergies. She also told me to make sure I'm getting enough magnesium for the hypothyroid. I've NEVER had a doctor tell me to increase supplements or to take new ones - other than Calcium & Vit D.
I'm taking 500 mg of NO-FLUSH Niacin. This kind reduces the incidence of hot flashes that regular Niacin can cause. I certainly don't need any more of them!
There's something to be said for doctors who are educated in other countries.
...and back in the day, when some buddies and would indulge in copious amounts of beer, and green leafy stuff, we'd take Niacin just to feel our faces flush! Ha! Oh, wait...
Did you get your cholesterol done when you got your celiac panel? I hope so. Then you can gage if niacin worked for you.
I've been taking niacin for years. I first tried the non-flush, but it did nothing. I then tried the flush (you can take it before bed to keep you warm and not startle anyone else cause you can get a 'rush' and turn red ... I blogged a pic - I'm BEET red). That was 500mg. I've been on 1000mg for a few months ... hmm, maybe that's why my last cholesterol labs got better. I gotta check timing on that. :) I will get more labs in about 3 mos. and let you know.
Edit: Nope, it wasn't the niacin. I found my blog entry for you: http://bit.ly/gLHCRF . But it will STILL be interesting next cholesterol lab taking more niacin.
I've read niacin can raise blood glucose levels, but also found this article from a fave cardiologist blogger: http://bit.ly/fJVU5L
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