High Cholesterol and Breastfeeding?

When I was nursing my last child, my cholesterol was elevated. Not a lot, but enough to cause me grief from my doctor. I was tested twice and both times my total cholesterol was around 220. Not a big deal I thought, so I didn't follow the advise from my doctor to go on medication as soon as I was done nursing. I decided to do my own research and what I came up with made me wonder why my doctor was not familiar with the fact that nursing can cause elevated cholesterol levels.

During pregnancy, cholesterol levels fall during the first trimester and then rise in the second and third. This is not related to lifestyle one bit. This is actually because the liver produces more cholesterol in response to the hormones of pregnancy. It is one of those things that just happens to benefit the mother as well as the baby. During lactation, cholesterol levels remain elevated.

Cholesterol levels can become very high for some pregnant and lactating women. A normal cholesterol level is between 120 and 190 mg/dl. Typically, during pregnancy and lactation, the levels can be between 200 and 325 mg/dl. Lactating women also experience higher HDL and lipoprotein levels as well. This is a normal thing and many doctors are unaware of this.

An article that was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1989 recommended against lipid testing during lactation because of the elevated levels. The article goes on to stress the importance of the lipids during lactation. After weaning is when a retest should be done if there is any concern. This is a good time because all pregnancy and lactation hormones go back to a normal state.

Breastfed babies have an increased level of total cholesterol and LDL level during infancy. As an adult, their levels are lower. Breastfeeding has many benefits and taking care of cholesterol and blood sugar levels are just two of them. These benefits affect both mother and child. No one should stop breastfeeding if their cholesterol is high unless it is sky high and it is recommended by a physician. I would even suggest a second opinion on this one.