Cat6
02-11-2007, 12:07 AM
Hello, i'm new here....
i'm reading people's reports on the breakdown of their blood test results - how does one get this info? My doc only gives me the total cholesterol number, which is still too high even after 8-9 months on 20 mg simvastatin. Although, I did forget, and ate some 'bad' stuff the night before my last test so that may have sent it higher, but still - i gotta get it down.
but i digress -
Are all the specifics automatically tested for, so it would just be a matter of going back and asking the doc for the breakdown of HDL, LDL, and tryglycerides and he'd have that info handy?
Or is there a specific type of test I should request, other than the general one, to get all those separate numbers?
thanks!
i'm reading people's reports on the breakdown of their blood test results - how does one get this info? My doc only gives me the total cholesterol number, which is still too high even after 8-9 months on 20 mg simvastatin. Although, I did forget, and ate some 'bad' stuff the night before my last test so that may have sent it higher, but still - i gotta get it down.
but i digress -
Are all the specifics automatically tested for, so it would just be a matter of going back and asking the doc for the breakdown of HDL, LDL, and tryglycerides and he'd have that info handy?
Or is there a specific type of test I should request, other than the general one, to get all those separate numbers?
thanks!
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JJ
02-11-2007, 12:20 AM
I think you should call your dr. to get the other numbers. When they do a lipid panel, it consists of your TC, LDL, HDL and Trigs. When you know your going for the test, make sure you fast at least 8-10 hrs., and also try and eat a lite meal the night before, and eat early. Drink nothing but water during your fasting time.
Good luck.....:wave:
Good luck.....:wave:
Cat6
02-11-2007, 12:35 AM
thanks JJ, I will call and ask him.
and yeh I did fast from the evening before the test, but before that, i forgot and ate some high-fat bad snacks..... bad girl, hehe.
But - am having another test in a month after completion of an herbal program to see if it does any good, so will make sure to pay attention next time. A friend of mine did this program and it cut his TC in half - so that will be the real info I want, cause the 20 mg statin didn't work, and possibly exacerbated inflammation and muscle pain i already have (from other sources), so would like to avoid it if possible.
am reading all the supplement threads, it's so dang confusing and so much stuff to take, and so many different brands. How can you know which are good? I loathe being encumbered by taking pills, but would rather it be herbs and fish oil than chemicals.
and yeh I did fast from the evening before the test, but before that, i forgot and ate some high-fat bad snacks..... bad girl, hehe.
But - am having another test in a month after completion of an herbal program to see if it does any good, so will make sure to pay attention next time. A friend of mine did this program and it cut his TC in half - so that will be the real info I want, cause the 20 mg statin didn't work, and possibly exacerbated inflammation and muscle pain i already have (from other sources), so would like to avoid it if possible.
am reading all the supplement threads, it's so dang confusing and so much stuff to take, and so many different brands. How can you know which are good? I loathe being encumbered by taking pills, but would rather it be herbs and fish oil than chemicals.
JJ
02-11-2007, 12:56 AM
I don't blame you for wanting to go the natural route if possible. Statins and I don't get along, so I have been working my way thru it with different foods and suppliments as well, welcome to the crowd.....;)
Read some of the posts here, many folks have come up with alot of god things that worked for them, of course it may not work for everyone, but worth a shot. No more being a bad girl with bad foods, that is a no-no!!! Only teasing you, we all fall off the wagon, we have to be good to ourselves every so often, but definitely NOT before a test.
Try eating oatmeal in the mornings, not the quicky kind either, the good ole fashion oats. Taking a 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon is good, and of course stay away from anything with Trans. fats, processed foods, and junk. It take a lil getting use to, but you will get the hang of it, and folks here are more then helpful, so they will give you whatever suggestions they can.
Best of luck, and hope to chat again soon.....:wave:
Read some of the posts here, many folks have come up with alot of god things that worked for them, of course it may not work for everyone, but worth a shot. No more being a bad girl with bad foods, that is a no-no!!! Only teasing you, we all fall off the wagon, we have to be good to ourselves every so often, but definitely NOT before a test.
Try eating oatmeal in the mornings, not the quicky kind either, the good ole fashion oats. Taking a 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon is good, and of course stay away from anything with Trans. fats, processed foods, and junk. It take a lil getting use to, but you will get the hang of it, and folks here are more then helpful, so they will give you whatever suggestions they can.
Best of luck, and hope to chat again soon.....:wave:
Cat6
02-11-2007, 01:57 AM
thanks again, i'll keep reading all the info.... i used to have Cheerios every morning but got lazy, cause i don't usually eat breakfast and i hate carryin stuff to work, it eventually gets annoying....but i will start back to that!
i eat a relatively decent diet, not squeaky clean - but I do use olive oil or Smart Balance canola... (add just a teeny little real butter for flavor), brown rice, veggies, stay away from red meat, only occasional junk food. my downfall is white-sugar baked goods, but i don't do that too often. And everything else is good - BP, liver enzymes, weight etc. (although very high stress, grief, and and upset lately, i'm sure that doens't help)
But even so, i was so shocked that even with my diet, and the statins, that my TC did not budge -- discouraging to say the least. AND my sweetheart recently had a mild heart attack supposedly due to high cholesterol and a blocked artery. I was told several years ago that my TG's were way too high as well, (dang white sugar cravings) so now i'm scared & feel like i will have to be uber vigilant and not enjoy even my occasional treats, which is just an annoying way to have to live. *sigh*
i eat a relatively decent diet, not squeaky clean - but I do use olive oil or Smart Balance canola... (add just a teeny little real butter for flavor), brown rice, veggies, stay away from red meat, only occasional junk food. my downfall is white-sugar baked goods, but i don't do that too often. And everything else is good - BP, liver enzymes, weight etc. (although very high stress, grief, and and upset lately, i'm sure that doens't help)
But even so, i was so shocked that even with my diet, and the statins, that my TC did not budge -- discouraging to say the least. AND my sweetheart recently had a mild heart attack supposedly due to high cholesterol and a blocked artery. I was told several years ago that my TG's were way too high as well, (dang white sugar cravings) so now i'm scared & feel like i will have to be uber vigilant and not enjoy even my occasional treats, which is just an annoying way to have to live. *sigh*
JJ
02-11-2007, 01:35 PM
That is strange the statins didn't budge your TC at all. Hmmmm! Yes you definitely have to stay away from the starches and sugary stuff, but we all cheat every so often.
Sorry to hear your sweetie had a mild heart attack. My husband had his arteries cleaned in 94, and yet his cholesterol was fine, go figure. He had between 94-98 % blockage on the left side, and a little on the right. They did the left side but left the right alone, and so far, so good. Luckily he didn't have a heart attack, but we make sre he goes to his cardio man for a checkup every six months, and he usually has an image stress test done every 2 years. He has changed his diet quite abit, and his numbers are doing very well so far. He did take statins for almost 7 years, but like me, had nasty side effects, so is also trying the natural routine.
You take care, and my best to your sweetie as well.....:wave:
Sorry to hear your sweetie had a mild heart attack. My husband had his arteries cleaned in 94, and yet his cholesterol was fine, go figure. He had between 94-98 % blockage on the left side, and a little on the right. They did the left side but left the right alone, and so far, so good. Luckily he didn't have a heart attack, but we make sre he goes to his cardio man for a checkup every six months, and he usually has an image stress test done every 2 years. He has changed his diet quite abit, and his numbers are doing very well so far. He did take statins for almost 7 years, but like me, had nasty side effects, so is also trying the natural routine.
You take care, and my best to your sweetie as well.....:wave:
Lulubells
02-14-2007, 11:49 AM
I made the mistake of asking my doctor for a copy of all the results (5 years worth) on my tests the last time I was there. They sure don't want you to have them, claiming they would have to go dig in some far away place for hours to find them and it would take a long time... From now on, I am going to tell them to mail me a copy when it comes in but I am off the statin drug. I DO want to know what my numbers were ON the stuff just to track the numbers to compare the side effects.
Mike In NY
02-14-2007, 01:57 PM
You should never ever leave your Doctor's office without a copy of your blood test results. This document belongs to you since you paid for it. Next time your tested insist on a homocysteine test which is the strongest indicator if you're at risk for a heart attack.
Lulubells
02-14-2007, 04:53 PM
My PCP calls me with the results and I think it should be mandatory that the labs mail YOU a copy when they send the doctor one.
janeslk
02-14-2007, 10:52 PM
Our doctor sends my husband's complete test to him after she reviews it. Maybe you should ask your doctor to send you a copy.
Jane
Jane
Cat6
02-18-2007, 02:15 AM
thanks everyone, and especially Mike, that is GREAT info. I will get that test next time.
I called my doc back and he gave me the whole lipid panel info, no problem. Only problem now is getting the numbers to go down!
I called my doc back and he gave me the whole lipid panel info, no problem. Only problem now is getting the numbers to go down!
NHone
02-18-2007, 04:34 AM
I don't think i ever saw your numbers? DId i miss something?