I just got some blood work done at a health fair locally and I just got the test results back today. My cholesterol is 334 mg. My LDL is 274 mg. My chloride is low. Anion Gap?? is high. RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit are all high and RDW is low. HELP!!! I am most concerned about the Cholesterol. I am just finding out that it runs in the family. I won't have insurance for 2.5 months so I need to do what I can to lower it on my own till then, any suggestions. Also does anyone know what the other tests mean? If it helps I am a 27 year old white female at 143 lbs. Thank you so much for any help!!!

tmptnu,

Yeah, those numbers are dreadful. When you get your insurance, first thing you'll want to do is get them re-run (Health Fair results can be so-so.) Though you don't report it, it looks like your HDL is quite low (BAD) on top of a sky-high LDL. Triglycerides are probably low also (GOOD).

So for the next two months, I'd recommend cutting your saturated fat intake (animal fats) as much as possible...and ELIMINATING all trans fats (hydrogenated ANYTHING.) Increase the amount of fish you eat to at least twice a week and add a fish oil supplement (like a tsp. cod liver oil daily.) Increase your excercise.

The next two month period will give you a GOOD idea of what you can accomplish without drugs. If your first physical shows marked improvement in your numbers, then just continue for life.
If the numbers remain wretched you are definitely a candidate for drugs (usually a statin.)

My other results are as follows.
Triglycerides 116
HDLs 56
Risk factor is 6.0

Are my results really really bad? Should I be concerned that something will happen? I have never really had to watch what I eat so I am new to all this. Thank you for your info.

Yes,
Your results are terrible but only in ONE area; your LDL's are sky high.
The low saturated fat for a couple months will probably help immensely: easy on the butter and cream, ice cream, fatty meats, processed meats like salamis. Eat fish and fowl preferentially over beef and pork as much as practical.

DO eliminate all the hydrogenated oils (like Crisco, Cool Whip, margerines [except the trans fat free canolas and the Benecol stanol-types], and MANY processed foods[read labels for EVERYTHING])). RUN from the word HYDROGENATED.

A couple months like this will lower your LDL's (and fish oils will preserve your HDL's).

Remember now, Some of those Health Fair quicky results are just not trustworthy. But without insurance, make believe the numbers are gospel and the worst that will happen is that you ate healthily for 2 months in vain:D...may that be our worst curse...LOL.

Thank you so much for all the information. I went to get the test actually to check my Thyroid because I was having symptoms of having a problem there. But they came back o.k. I would have never guessed I had a Cholesterol problem at 27!!!! The thought never even crossed my mind. Thanks again!!

When you get your insurance I would take a test fasting if you didn't fast for this one. It does make a difference. I am in the same boat as you are. At age 27 my LDL's are 227. However, I want to have one more baby so I cannot be on any medication and diet hardly touches my cholestorol (hereditary). But I am happy to say that I am 7 weeks preggo and when I am done I can then be on meds. My doctor just ran a EKG, chest Xray and bloodwork to make sure my heart looks OK and it does so being 27, I have a few years before the damage builds up--I think :confused:

Good luck. Just think, at least we found out when we are 27. We have time to start preventing buildup versus someone who finds out when they are 50.

I just got some blood work done at a health fair locally and I just got the test results back today. My cholesterol is 334 mg. My LDL is 274 mg. My chloride is low. Anion Gap?? is high. RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit are all high and RDW is low. HELP!!! I am most concerned about the Cholesterol. I am just finding out that it runs in the family. I won't have insurance for 2.5 months so I need to do what I can to lower it on my own till then, any suggestions. Also does anyone know what the other tests mean? If it helps I am a 27 year old white female at 143 lbs. Thank you so much for any help!!!

Before you get too concerned read the book "The Cholesterol Myths" by Dr. Ravenskov.

I just got some blood work done at a health fair locally and I just got the test results back today. My cholesterol is 334 mg. My LDL is 274 mg. My chloride is low. Anion Gap?? is high. RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit are all high and RDW is low. HELP!!! I am most concerned about the Cholesterol. I am just finding out that it runs in the family. I won't have insurance for 2.5 months so I need to do what I can to lower it on my own till then, any suggestions. Also does anyone know what the other tests mean? If it helps I am a 27 year old white female at 143 lbs. Thank you so much for any help!!!


Actually your body produces more cholesterol than you could ever eat. Cutting the fats in the diet is good to help the liver but it really does not do much in the way of lowering it. What we have done is take inositol hexanicotinate start at 500 mg a day then increase to 1500 mg a day in 30 days in 500 mg steps and no more or you might run into problems that are not bad but everyone reacts different. Can be bought over the net or if you want a reduced version that is 20 percent then go to Wal Mart and get the non flush niacin, DO NOT get the slow release niacin. Next get some policosanol 20 mg a day. I think Costco and Wal Mart are starting to carry it in some stores. If not the net is the place to go and the high priced stuff is a waste of money. Take 2000 mg of flaxseed oil in caps or better yet the liquid at a teaspoon a day. Magneisun at 500 mg a day. If you get loose bowels cut back if not go to 750. When you start having loose bowels you know you met the bowel tolerance and cut back.
Very important CUT OUT the CARBS. They produce more cholesterol than people think. Try staying less but no more than 100 grams a day.
To show you what I mean my wife was at the levels below after taking what I said to take, then she ate a pizza, two big foot long subways and a ham pot pie with the home made square noodles in one week while we were on a trip. WHAM the Cholesterol shot up to 300, Trigs went off the meter and HDL dropped to 42. That's how much carbs will do a number on you.
Big Al
THis brought my wifes cholesterol down from 287 to 173, her trigs from over 500 to 239 and HDL went from 39 to 54 in two and a half months with no drugs whatsoever.