Active Low-Carber Forums
Atkins diet and low carb discussion provided free for information only, not as medical advice.
Home Plans Tips Recipes Tools Stories Studies Products
Active Low-Carber Forums
A sugar-free zone


Welcome to the Active Low-Carber Forums.
Support for Atkins diet, Protein Power, Neanderthin (Paleo Diet), CAD/CALP, Dr. Bernstein Diabetes Solution and any other healthy low-carb diet or plan, all are welcome in our lowcarb community. Forget starvation and fad diets -- join the healthy eating crowd! You may register by clicking here, it's free!

Go Back   Active Low-Carber Forums > Main Low-Carb Diets Forums & Support > Low Carb Health & Technical Forums > Cholesterol, Heart Disease
User Name
Password
FAQ Members Calendar Mark Forums Read Search Gallery My P.L.A.N. Survey


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1   ^
Old Wed, Sep-10-03, 20:00
a.j a.j is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 74
 
Plan: Dr. Bernstein's Diabetic Solution, LOTS of exercise !!
Stats: 155/148/135
BF:
Progress: 35%
Location: Toronto
Default the numbers doubled!!!???

I just got back from the yearly medical and BAD NEWS! My cholesterol has gone from an acceptable number a year ago and has now doubled. The doc did not tell me the exact numbers but he said it was now dangerously high.

I am confused. I have been low carbing for a year now and except for the odd falling off the wagon around holiday times I have been pretty good.

I am a type 1 diabetic and other than the cholesterol thing am in good condition.

If anyone can give me a clue on this I would really appreciate it. I will call the doc in the next few days and get the specifics.

Cheers, AJ
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
  #2   ^
Old Thu, Sep-11-03, 08:39
Zuleikaa Zuleikaa is offline
Finding the Pieces
Posts: 17,049
 
Plan: Mishmash
Stats: 365/308.0/185 Female 66
BF:
Progress: 32%
Location: Maryland, US
Default

Are you using margarine or vegetable oil spreads? These have transfatty acids (even those which are supposed to be heart healthy) and both raise cholesterol and lower good cholesterol. You should be using only real butter and oils.
Reply With Quote
  #3   ^
Old Thu, Sep-11-03, 08:44
Natrushka Natrushka is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 11,512
 
Plan: IF +LC
Stats: 287/165/165 Female 66"
BF:
Progress: 100%
Default

AJ, you really need the breakdown to be sure if anything needs to be done. A rise in HDL could increase your Total Cholesterol reading, but that would be a good thing.

To set your mind at ease, high choleterol, in and of itself, has not been proven to be a good indicator of risk for CVD. However, high HDL has been proven to be protective of CVD. W/o the breakdown of the various types of cholesterol no real advice can be given.

Nat
Reply With Quote
  #4   ^
Old Thu, Sep-11-03, 17:57
a.j a.j is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 74
 
Plan: Dr. Bernstein's Diabetic Solution, LOTS of exercise !!
Stats: 155/148/135
BF:
Progress: 35%
Location: Toronto
Default

Hey thanks for the speedy replies.

Nope no transfatty stuff for me. Only real butter and extra virgin olive oil. I do eat fair amount of red meat, some fish and some chicken. The only nuts I consume are almonds (about a quarter cup per day). I eat 2 to 3 eggs for breakfast and a plenty of green salads with lunch and dinners. Old cheddar cheese about 2 ounces per day. I rarely touch any potatoes, rice, or grains. No legumes either. No peanut butter, sigh!

I am trying to get ahold of the doc for precise numbers since he only gave me one. And said that so quickly I didn't get a chance to write it down. Doctors!!! All speed demons. Next time I will book extra time to make him answer questions.

Thanks for talking to me. It is good to know someone out there understands.

Cheers, AJ
Reply With Quote
  #5   ^
Old Thu, Sep-11-03, 18:00
a.j a.j is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 74
 
Plan: Dr. Bernstein's Diabetic Solution, LOTS of exercise !!
Stats: 155/148/135
BF:
Progress: 35%
Location: Toronto
Default

Oh, I forgot to mention. I drink red wine almost every day. Probably too much on weekends. During the week, 2-3 glasses and on weekends a bottle. Do you suppose that could make a big difference? I also take Oxycodan for back pain. About 6 months now and only when I really need it.

Thanks again for your help.

Cheers, AJ
Reply With Quote
  #6   ^
Old Thu, Sep-11-03, 19:42
Natrushka Natrushka is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 11,512
 
Plan: IF +LC
Stats: 287/165/165 Female 66"
BF:
Progress: 100%
Default

AJ, moderate consumption of alcohol will help raise HDL As will consuming more mono-unsaturated fats and fatty fish. Cardio also helps, and quitting smoking (even second hand smoke) makes a huge difference.

Let us know what the breakdown is - I'm sure we can offer some advice

Nat
Reply With Quote
  #7   ^
Old Thu, Sep-11-03, 20:05
tofi's Avatar
tofi tofi is offline
Posts: 6,204
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 244/220/170 Female 65.4inches
BF:
Progress: 32%
Location: Ontario
Default

Is that Oxycodan or Oxycodone, or Oxycontin? The last one is a narcotic in time-release form. I don't think one ought to be drinking any alcohol if that's the one.

Hope the doctor has better news on the numbers breakdown.
Reply With Quote
  #8   ^
Old Fri, Sep-12-03, 13:29
a.j a.j is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 74
 
Plan: Dr. Bernstein's Diabetic Solution, LOTS of exercise !!
Stats: 155/148/135
BF:
Progress: 35%
Location: Toronto
Default

Hi all! I got the copy of the lab work today. Here is the actual breakdown. Please note that these numbers are measured in MMOL/L. I may be able to convert to MG/dl but I am not too sure.

Total overall cholesterol 7.64
Trigliycerides 1.43
HDL 2.81
LDL 4.18
LDL/HDL Ratio 1.49
CHOL/HDL Ratio 2.72

I hope these numbers help. I could not get a copy of last years numbers. That would have been interesting to compare.

Thanks again for any input you can offer. I really am concerned about this.

Cheers, AJ
Reply With Quote
  #9   ^
Old Fri, Sep-12-03, 14:04
Iwilldoit's Avatar
Iwilldoit Iwilldoit is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 881
 
Plan: Modified Low Carb
Stats: 320/273.8/270 Female 5' 11"
BF:
Progress: 92%
Location: Canada
Default

I think your doc may revise his opinion when he takes a close look at these values. While your total cholesterol is higher than they like, a large part of it is due to your extraordinary level of HDL, which confers on you a HUGE protective factor. Your ratios in fact, are superb and perfectly in the normal limits!
Reply With Quote
  #10   ^
Old Fri, Sep-12-03, 16:30
a.j a.j is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 74
 
Plan: Dr. Bernstein's Diabetic Solution, LOTS of exercise !!
Stats: 155/148/135
BF:
Progress: 35%
Location: Toronto
Default

Tofi - You asked which of the Oxy... painkillers I am taking. I am honestly not too sure but while they do ease the back pain fairly well they don't seem to have any effect when combined with wine. Maybe they aren't that strong? I mostly use them in the mid-evening or at bedtime. NEVER when I will be required to be alert, driving, etc.

I appreciate your concern. Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #11   ^
Old Fri, Sep-12-03, 17:23
Lisa N's Avatar
Lisa N Lisa N is offline
Posts: 12,028
 
Plan: Bernstein Diabetes Soluti
Stats: 260/-/145 Female 5' 3"
BF:
Progress: 63%
Location: Michigan
Default

I agree with Iwilldoit...with ratios like that, I wouldn't worry too much about the total. In fact, I'm a little envious.
One ratio that you didn't list is triglyceride to HDL ratio. Below 3 is considered excellent. Yours is 1.96!!!

I hope your doc doesn't continue to push the "your total is dangerously high" thing. Studies have yet to show any correlation at all between a high total cholesterol and cardiac events. In other words...the total doesn't mean much. It's the ratios that you need to pay attention to and yours are what would be considered optimal regardless of what the total says.

Last edited by Lisa N : Fri, Sep-12-03 at 17:27.
Reply With Quote
  #12   ^
Old Sun, Sep-14-03, 22:20
ira ira is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 106
 
Plan: protein power-GO diet
Stats: 224/179/166 Male 68 inches
BF:
Progress: 78%
Location: seattle, wa
Default

I too wouldn't worry about the total number, which would be 294 in the US. Your LDL, like mine, is a little high and you might want to work on trying to lower that. Perhaps you are one of those people sensitive to arachidonic acid, mostly found in red meat and egg yolks. Eat more fish, especially oily fish like salmon, sardines, herring, and mackerel. eat more monounsaturated fats like olives and olive oil, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, almonds...I'm taking a supplement called policosanol and will have my cholesterol re checked in a few weeks...we'll see if it has any effect.. Your HDL is amazingly great!
Reply With Quote
  #13   ^
Old Mon, Sep-15-03, 17:59
a.j a.j is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 74
 
Plan: Dr. Bernstein's Diabetic Solution, LOTS of exercise !!
Stats: 155/148/135
BF:
Progress: 35%
Location: Toronto
Default

Thanks to everyone who has written back. I am not nearly spooked as I was before.

I think it is time for a new doc. (That will make it 4 changes in 3 years!!!!!) But am getting tired of the same old routine. Maybe someday I will find someone who at least will meet me halfway.

Thank goodness for this site. It has helped me tremendously in the past year.

Take care all and Happy Low Carbing!!!

Cheers, AJ
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Would YOUR doc be happy with these numbers? CindySue48 Dr.Bernstein & Diabetes 10 Wed, May-19-04 18:16
6 months and it has lowered my numbers trw1966 Cholesterol, Heart Disease 0 Wed, Dec-31-03 11:51
need help with numbers, hormones, thyroid Tina3 Cholesterol, Heart Disease 6 Wed, Oct-29-03 23:00
Freaking about cholesterol numbers (long) jiskiyan Cholesterol, Heart Disease 2 Wed, Apr-16-03 10:01
Question about Cholesterol numbers texas-newf Cholesterol, Heart Disease 2 Thu, Mar-21-02 09:13


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:24.


Copyright © 2000-2024 Active Low-Carber Forums @ forum.lowcarber.org
Powered by: vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.