MyOMy
05-13-2009, 08:03 AM
I finally got the nerve up to go and get my bloodwork checked, can you guys tell me how the results look?Total cholesterol 223, HDL 49,other cholesterol number was 149, not sure which one this was. Triglecerides were 122. Blood glucose was 103. Thyroid was fine. Thanks for any responses.
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tjlhb
05-13-2009, 11:42 AM
Total cholesterol 223, HDL 49,other cholesterol number was 149, not sure which one this was. Triglecerides were 122. Blood glucose was 103. Thyroid was fine.
The "other cholesterol number" would be LDL, which is the bad kind. HDL is the good kind.
By the usual criteria, LDL of 149 is considered "borderline high"; optimal is below 100.
Blood glucose of 103, if taken after an overnight fast, is considered an indication of pre-diabetes (100 to 125), which means that you have a higher risk of developing diabetes.
Loss of excess body fat will likely help lower both the fasting blood glucose and LDL levels (as well as the fasting triglyceride levels). Increasing exercise will likely help lower the fasting blood glucose levels and raise the HDL levels.
Also, try to avoid trans-fats from hydrogenated oils, and saturated fats from the fat of red meat, dairy products, and coconut / palm oil, because these tend to raise LDL levels.
The "other cholesterol number" would be LDL, which is the bad kind. HDL is the good kind.
By the usual criteria, LDL of 149 is considered "borderline high"; optimal is below 100.
Blood glucose of 103, if taken after an overnight fast, is considered an indication of pre-diabetes (100 to 125), which means that you have a higher risk of developing diabetes.
Loss of excess body fat will likely help lower both the fasting blood glucose and LDL levels (as well as the fasting triglyceride levels). Increasing exercise will likely help lower the fasting blood glucose levels and raise the HDL levels.
Also, try to avoid trans-fats from hydrogenated oils, and saturated fats from the fat of red meat, dairy products, and coconut / palm oil, because these tend to raise LDL levels.
ACE28
05-13-2009, 06:57 PM
I finally got the nerve up to go and get my bloodwork checked, can you guys tell me how the results look?Total cholesterol 223, HDL 49,other cholesterol number was 149, not sure which one this was. Triglecerides were 122. Blood glucose was 103. Thyroid was fine. Thanks for any responses.
Cholesterol numbers are pretty good. Recent guidelines are that Total cholesterol should be less than 200 and LDL <= 110 and HDL > 45 for women.
Mind you, these values are not carved in stone and there is great variabilty among doctors. Lower cholesterol does not always equate to less heart disease and strokes. Very low cholesterol (Total < 150) is being linked to cancer. I think that diet and weight loss should be your first goal. The glucose guidelines vary from lab to lab. Normal in many labs is under 115. Other labs set the mark at 99. If you are less than 115 that's OK. Keep in mind that when lab values keep changing, doctors make more money and 70 % of the American population will become patients quicker.
Cholesterol numbers are pretty good. Recent guidelines are that Total cholesterol should be less than 200 and LDL <= 110 and HDL > 45 for women.
Mind you, these values are not carved in stone and there is great variabilty among doctors. Lower cholesterol does not always equate to less heart disease and strokes. Very low cholesterol (Total < 150) is being linked to cancer. I think that diet and weight loss should be your first goal. The glucose guidelines vary from lab to lab. Normal in many labs is under 115. Other labs set the mark at 99. If you are less than 115 that's OK. Keep in mind that when lab values keep changing, doctors make more money and 70 % of the American population will become patients quicker.
MyOMy
05-13-2009, 09:41 PM
Thanks for both replies. Dr seemed pretty happy with the results, although I am what he refers to as "on the edge" with the cholesterol, I want to try fish oil tabs for a few months, I then go back and am going to be retested in August, at which time he will put me on meds. I just wish my blood pressure was good, but thats another story.....
tjlhb
05-13-2009, 10:17 PM
Dr seemed pretty happy with the results, ... I then go back and am going to be retested in August, at which time he will put me on meds.
He is pretty happy to put you on meds in a few months? :confused:
If you have any excess body fat, try to lose it, because that will likely help lower the LDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and blood pressure, perhaps allowing you to avoid medication (or use fewer types or smaller doses).
He is pretty happy to put you on meds in a few months? :confused:
If you have any excess body fat, try to lose it, because that will likely help lower the LDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and blood pressure, perhaps allowing you to avoid medication (or use fewer types or smaller doses).
MyOMy
05-14-2009, 12:18 AM
He is going to put me on meds if the cholesterol numbers don't come down.
ACE28
05-14-2009, 11:33 AM
He is going to put me on meds if the cholesterol numbers don't come down.
You mentioned starting Fish Oil in a previous thread. Keep in mind that Fish Oil is very beneficial but in terms of cholesterol it lowers only triglycerides but may raise your LDL and Total cholesterol slightly. One of the proven non-medications to lower cholesterol is Plant/Sterols. For ex. Nature Made Cholestoff. Another way is by adding only BENECHOL buttery spread. BENECHOL is pretty expensive at most supermarkets, but it is very potent in lowering cholesterol and raising HDL.
You mentioned starting Fish Oil in a previous thread. Keep in mind that Fish Oil is very beneficial but in terms of cholesterol it lowers only triglycerides but may raise your LDL and Total cholesterol slightly. One of the proven non-medications to lower cholesterol is Plant/Sterols. For ex. Nature Made Cholestoff. Another way is by adding only BENECHOL buttery spread. BENECHOL is pretty expensive at most supermarkets, but it is very potent in lowering cholesterol and raising HDL.
mod-anon
05-16-2009, 12:34 AM
Folks, please address your responses to the original poster, and don't argue among yourselves. The discussion about plant sterols is being moved to its own thread.
"plant sterols and other dietary changes"
"plant sterols and other dietary changes"