Doctor's visit - good news and bad news

[ddlite]

Results of my lab tests:
Total cholesterol: 220 (up from 170 in January)
HDL: 77 (up from 44 in January)
LDL: 135 (up from 103 in January)
Total/HDL ratio: 2.86 (down from 3.86 in Jan)
HBA1c : 5.1 (was over 7 in January -- 5.2 in September)
Fasting BG: 98 (was 103 in September)
My doctor is concerned by the overall cholesterol level being elevated and especially about the LDL level (she says around 100 is what it should be). She wanted me to start on a statin drug, but I convinced her to let me try to control it by diet and exercise. She said I could try that for 3 months and then in February if it isn't where it should be I have to go on the drug.
I am going to try and cut down on fats some -- I have been tracking on fitday and they are running about 70%. She suggested using lower fat yogurt, skim milk, cutting down on the amount of cheese, and using part-skim cheese. Do any of you have any suggestions? Right now I am using olive oil to cook and also taking 1-2 Tblsp of coconut oil. I eat whole milk plain yogurt (probably 2 half cup servings per week), cream on my Fiber One cereal (1 or 2 times a week), whole milk cheddar cheese and whole milk ricotta cheese (probably 4 oz daily total three or four times a week). I eat eggs for breakfast (one or two) most mornings. Any suggestions as to how to cut down would be appreciated.

LC since 6/1/03
55 yrs young, 5'10"
203(296)/185/160
THIS WOE HAS CHANGED MY LIFE!!

[Maggie]

You may also want to do some independent research and/or consider getting a second opinion. Most of the doctors I know would be extremely happy with the changes in your lipid profile and would never even suggest a statin for someone with a risk ratio (Total/HDL) of 2.86, even with a much higher total cholesterol.

The current thinking is that the risk ratio and triglyceride levels are the parts of the lipid profile which are reliable indicators.

Also, keep in mind that low-fat yogurt and skim milk will bring a real increase in carbs, and it is well documented that a high fat intake, even saturated fat, as part of a low carb diet, is not necessarily troublesome. If you increase your carbs while still ingesting a good amount of fat, I suspect that your lipid profile will not improve, but will get worse.

Just something to think about.

Maggie
5'1" ~~ Atkins since '98 (160+)
Maintaining nicely (110 +/-)
~~ Redhead until further notice!

[Rob]

The ratio is within the accceptable range so I agree with maggie. Why would he consider drugs?
Monounsaturated fats have been shown to reduce total cholesterol while still helping out hdl. So olive oil, avocados, almonds and certain other nuts are a good source.
have you tried carb countdown milk? It's very good and only 3 carb grams per 8 ounce glass. There's even a chocolate milk. I don't know if they've shown up yet in your area but they have shown up in several of my regular markets as well as super walmart. replace the heavy cream in the cereal and you'll save quite a bit of saturated fat. But this is mostly for your doctors benefit.



Rob
310/240/180
Me, a skeptic? I trust you have proof

One tequila, two tequila,
three tequila, floor

[ddlite]

thanks Maggie & Rob.
I'm going to cut back on some of my fats, but not add anything different. We'll see in Feb. how that works out.

LC since 6/1/03
55 yrs young, 5'10"
203(296)/185/160
THIS WOE HAS CHANGED MY LIFE!!

[bbqman]

I don't know that cutting out the fats is going to help all that much. I used to eat a pound of bacon a day when I was a strict lowcarber (I have been lazy lately). After doing this a while I had my numbers checked. Before this my cholesterol numbers were "dangerous". After my numbers were rechecked my doctor asked me how long ago I had adopted the vegan diet, because my numbers were so low. I laughed and told him I was pretty much the exact opposite.

Anyways, as I learned recently in my Biochemistry class, excess weight is a bigger indication of blood cholesterol than dietary cholesterol or fat. Also, new research is showing that the ratio of HDL/LDL (lower is better) which some others have mentioned is more important than total cholesterol.

I'd definately go for a second opinion on this. Stick with it and I bet your doctor will be amazed!

FutureDoc