Background:
Hyperlipidemia is an epidemic in the United States and an increasing global issue according to the World Health Organization [1]. Five years ago, it was estimated that well over a third of the population had low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels that would create excellent candidates for Statin drugs, and more than 55% of these cases are now taking Statin drugs [2]. While statin drugs help in managing hyperlipidemia they are not a permanent solution. Hyperlipidemia may be prevented and managed in the initial stages through diet correction and changes in lifestyle but once the patients start taking statin drugs, they have to take them every day and it is normally not reduced or stopped [3].
Here is presented a case of a 74 year old American man who, with the help of classical homeopathy was gradually able to reduce the dosage of statin drugs and his cholesterol stabilised as well. This is a routine in most clinics and this case exemplifies the same.
Case Report:
A 74-year-old man at homeopathic consultation in November 2016 presented with Type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, glaucoma, and basal cell carcinoma.At the initial consultation, retrieving information regarding the case outside of lab and diagnostic reports and diagnosis was difficult to extract from the patient who was new to homeopathy. It was clear that he was a gentleman who was very fastidious (especially with matters of finance), proper, and practiced good ethics and honorable morals. He arrived at the appointment with an excel sheet of all his medications and lab comparisons.
Symptoms available for repertorisation:
He had chronic red eyes, a desire for fat, aggravation from cold, desire for warm drinks, chronic nose catarrh, and little ulcerations all over the skin that refused to heal. When questioned about his character, his wife replied “he is ALWAYS right”. His life seemed to revolve around providing security for his family, concern to stabilize declining health issues, and he was never without his wife by his side. He recently had 2 areas with Basal Cell Carcinoma previously removed, and two more areas were to be removed during the first month of homeopathic treatment. The patient had a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, and a family history of diabetes mellitus. The patient was taking Atorvastatin 40mg orally daily for hyperlipidemia. Laboratory report prior to initial consult showed high blood sugar and high lipid profile (Fig 1). The case was repertorised using Vithoulkas Compass software (Fig 2) [4]
Prescription:
Arsenicum Album 1M one dose was prescribed on November 16, 2016.
Follow up:
At the follow up three months later, the patient reported that his eyes and skin were greatly improved. Patient reported that glaucoma and cataracts appeared reversed in recent testing. The skin appeared healed and healthy. The glucose test results were higher. However, the lipid levels were improving (Fig 3).
At this point, the Statin drug was reduced to half the dosage by the endocrinologist (to Atorvastatin 20mg orally daily for hyperlipidemia) and the patient began taking Arsenicum Album 12c once daily.
Once the Statin drug was cut in half, the lipid levels rose again as his organism was adjusting to the lack of suppression. One month later, lab results revealed that while the glucose level was improved, the lipid levels were much higher than the last report (Fig 4).
No changes were made to the treatment, and the blood was tested again after three months. This test showed significant improvement. The glucose was moderately higher, but the lipid levels had greatly reduced to levels that had not been previously accomplished with the Statin drug. The triglycerides were well within the recommended range and the cholesterol was reduced by 10 points lower than when the patient was taking 40 mg of Atorvastatin daily. In addition, the HDL previously suppressed by the Statin was now increasing to a healthier level in order to balance LDL (Fig 5).
Due to continued improvement, and the lipid levels being within the recommended range, the Statin drug was further reduced to half the dosage by the patient’s endocrinologist in order to promote higher HDL levels. It is recommended that HDL levels test above 41, and they were still only 38. The homeopathic prescription potency was also raised at this point, and the patient began taking Arsenicum 13c once daily.
After the next three months, the blood was tested again (Fig 6). As expected, the lipid levels – while still within a healthy range – rose slightly during the adjustment of having reduced the Statin drug once more. However, the HDL finally rose to 43.
Initial FU1 FU2 FU3 FU4
The potency was then raised to Arsenicum Album 14c once daily – as the remedy picture was still the same, there was no reason to change the remedy – only the potency as allopathic medication was being reduced. The patient was still taking to Atorvastatin 10mg orally daily.
One month later, the blood results revealed that not only had the cholesterol reduced again by another 17 points, but the glucose was now within the recommended range (Fig. 7)
No change was made to the prescription, and the most recent lab tests reveal continued progress (Fig 8). Over the course of 15 months and seven consultations, this man’s health has significantly improved and conventional drugs have been reduced considerably. There is a possibility to discontinue the statins completely in the future.
Discussion:
This case study is not the only one of its kind: quite the contrary. Statin drugs are not safe, and the long-term side effects of these drugs are potentially life-threatening [5]. Homeopathy offers a safe alternative to both lowering cholesterol and eliminating dangerous medications. Here, it is important to note that only an individualised homeopathic remedy can bring about such deeper changes and prescribing on superficial information cannot do it.
Conclusions:
Hyperlipidemia seems amenable to treatment with individualised homeopathic remedies. We need further evidence through well planned control studies to confirm the evidence presented in this case report.
References
- Mercado C, DeSimone A, Odom E, Gillespie C, Ayala C, Loustalot F. Prevalence of Cholesterol Treatment Eligibility and Medication Use Among Adults — United States, 2005–2012. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2015;64(47):1305-1311.
- WHO | Raised cholesterol [Internet]. Who.int. 2018 [cited 21 December 2018]. Available from: https://www.who.int/gho/ncd/risk_factors/cholesterol_text/en/
- Puccetti L, Pasqui AL, Pastorelli M, Bova G, Di Renzo M, Leo A, Cercignani M, Palazzuoli A, Auteri A, Bruni F. Platelet hyperactivity after statin treatment discontinuation. Thrombosis and haemostasis. 2003 Mar;89(03):476-82.
- Vithoulkas Compass. Greece: Vithoulkas Compass; 2018.Retrieved from https://www.vithoulkascompass.com/ on December 20, 2018.
- Simic I, Reiner Z. Adverse effects of statins-myths and reality. Current pharmaceutical design. 2015 Mar 1;21(9):1220-6.
A well described article , useful to all. Thanks and congratulations to the author