By Jim Ehmke, NC

Lipoprotein (a), or Lp(a), consists of an LDL particle covalently attached to apolipoprotein (a). In numerous studies elevated plasma levels of Lp(a) are positively associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and stroke. There are some experts who believe Lp(a) may be the single most important lipid in assessing one’s true risk of developing these conditions.

Dr. Mercola has written about Lp(a) on his site and has emphasized the importance of this test. Some researchers have established a genetic link to Lp(a) levels. It is synthesized in the liver.

I have been testing Lp(a) levels in clients for at least the past six years. During this time I have observed repeatedly that statin drugs, especially Lipitor, raise Lp(a) above the medical reference range.

My first anecdotal experience in this regard occurred when I was testing my mother's lipids. At the time she was not taking statins and had recently been diagnosed with atherosclerosis. Her initial Lp(a) was 26 with a reference range of 0 to 30. Although technically within range, I knew via Dr. Mercola and others that anything over 10 should be scrutinized. Against my wishes my mother, being of the old school, went along with her doctor and decided to take Lipitor. Six months later I retested her Lp(a) and it was 76! Needless to say I was shocked and perplexed. After expressing my reservations to her physician I was not surprised to learn that the doctor knew nothing about Lp(a).

After this experience I began to check Lp(a) on as many clients as possible. I was especially interested to test Lp(a) levels before and after statin use. To my amazement after three months on Lipitor a very high percentage of clients who had normal levels of Lp(a) before taking Lipitor had elevations above the reference range. I kept scratching my head thinking, "Could it be that Lipitor actually worsens heart and artery disease? That the very thing touted to reduce such risks could actually increase them? Is information on this huge moneymaker being withheld?"

Obviously, this is not proof of anything, just an interesting observation. Dr. Mercola has offered to post this information to see if other clinicians are interested to study this with their patients. Perhaps some have already observed something similar--or not. If this is a valid anecdote, as my experience suggests, the grass roots efforts of practitioners in the field could conceivably lead to the funding of a larger study to prove or disprove the possibility that Lipitor raises Lp(a). If the tens of millions of Americans who take Lipitor every day are actually harming themselves it would be a worthy public service to reveal this fact.

If you are interested to report your findings please distinguish the type of statin drug that is being used. Most of those that I've tested were taking Lipitor. I think there may be the possibility that Zocor and Mevacor are less likely to raise Lp(a).

Lastly, in discussing this with various lipid specialists, including the head of a lipid department at a major university, I learned that a pharmaceutical version of niacin, Niaspan, is very effective at reducing Lp(a). So in those cases where it is necessary to lower Lp(a) there is the option of using Niaspan. This is what my mother ended up doing. Plus, because Niaspan cannot be patented it costs a fraction of what statin drugs cost. No wonder it's not marketed aggressively.

Jim Ehmke, NC had been practicing clinical nutrition since 1976. His interest in nutrition began in 1972 when he worked for the nutritional pioneer, VE Irons. This 10 year relationship led to studies with associates of VE Irons including the herbalist John Christopher and the iridologist, Bernard Jensen, DC.

In 1976 Jim and his wife, Karen Walker Ehmke, MS, RD, opened Complete Health Services in the Milwaukee suburbs. Shortly thereafter the Ehmke's studied with Dr. Wm. Donald Kelley and received certification to Dr. Kelley's Nutritional Academy. This led to additional training with Dr. Jeffrey Bland, Dr. Kenneth Brockman, Dr. Versendaal and numerous other practitioners of the healing arts, including certification with NINE/American Health Science University.

With the employment of MD's and DO's Complete Health Services expanded upon its base of natural therapies and grew into an integrated clinic offering a range of IV, injectable and chelation services. For the past 3 years the Ehmke's have lived in Hawaii and Jim now practices exclusively by phone, fax and email. Their clinic remains in the hands of two outstanding associates, Jason Siczkowycz, ND and Marc Siczkowycz, ND.