Hello all. One of the main reasons I began this WOE was to lower my high cholesterol levels.(And if I could lose 25 - 30 lbs in the process - all the better!) Last May I had a non-fasting test after eating "low-fat" for 5 years. I had restricted my fat intake to less than 10 grams per day and was constantly hungry. The results back then were Total: 284, HDL 70, LDL 214 (this number I am assuming since I can only remember what the HDL was.) So after taking a few months to "psych myself" I launched into Atkins and this new WOE. I am now into my 4th month and had a fasting test done this week, and my total has increased instead of descreasing as I had hoped. Here are the results:

Total: 296
Trig: 90
HDL: 89
LDL 189

I'd like to hear from some of you who have had experience wih troublesome chol levels and how this WOE has/has not helped. Have I not waited long enough for this WOE to kick in? I have read some other threads about 6 months being the ideal for chol testing. Do you recommend that I hang in there in retest in another couple of months? Should I pay more attention to the kinds of fats I'm eating? Any words of wisdom would be appreciated. I am feeling so discouraged by this. Thank you, folks.

Quesera,

There are a couple of things to consider here.

1. You are correct in that, for most of us (not every single one of us, but most), the lipid profile continues to improve over time. At 5 years plus on this way of eating, my profile started at 5.5 and has improved every time it has been tested. It is currently 2.3 and my physician is not at all concerned about my total number which hovers around 210-220.

2. Your Risk Ratio (total/hdl ratio) has gone from 4 something to 3.3. Under 4 is considered very good. Your triglycerides aren't bad either.

3. The total cholesterol number is assuming less and less importance as a risk factor in most dr's minds, because the studies are showing that the Risk Ratio has much more predictive value (as one factor among many) than the total cholesterol number.

4. Your lipid profile is only one risk factor for cardio-vascular disease. Familial history, hormone status, exercise level, blood pressure, smoking status, alcohol intake and numerous other factors are of equal importance in trying to predict cardio-vascular problems.

What does your md say?

__________________

Quesera, I think your results may be better than you think they are. Talk them over with your doctor!

Your HDL (good cholesterol, by current thinking)has increased 27%. That's a positive change. Your ratios have improved, too. By that I mean the ratio of your total cholesterol to HDL has dropped from 4.05 to 3.28. That's also a very positive change.

Your assumption that your LDL is your total cholesterol minus your HDL is incorrect. You also have to know and subtract your VLDL level. The VLDL is hard to measure, so most physicians use the person's triglyceride level and divide it by 5 as a best guess for the VLDL level. My wild guess would be that your TGs in that first sample were somewhere in the 150 to 250 range. That would mean that your TG to HDL ratio has fallen from 2 (or more) to 1.01. More good news. Dr Atkins seems to have believed the TG to HDL ratio was a very important predictor of heart disease risk.

In addition, were both samples fasting? Were both samples sent to the same lab? Both things make a difference.

The increase of your total cholesterol from 284 to 296 doesn't mean any more than weighing 210 on Monday morning and 212 on Tuesday morning. You probably didn't gain 2 pounds overnight. But the scale (and the blood testing lab) have some "error" in their measurements.

So......you're doing great! Talk to your doctor. And keep eating LC!

__________________
Ed
Atkins-9/10/03
213/181/170

Do not abandon hope.

January 2003, my blood work results:
LDL = 159
HDL = 68
VLDL = 16
Triglycerides = 78
TOTAL CHOLESTEROL = 243

Then, the doc prescribed a low dose Lipitor for me. I fought it all the way, and then started taking it as presribed. Now, my bloodwork is:

September, 2003
LDL = 114
HDL = 61
VLDL = 12
Triglycerides = 58
TOTAL CHOLESTEROL = 187

My doc thinks that the weight I've lost remarkable. He thinks my numbers are great and under control with the cholesterol meds (now Crestor) and advocates the low carb way of eating to all of his patients who need to shed weight. He does not think that my low carb way of eating has anything to do with my needing to take cholesterol meds.

Just my two cents....

__________________
April

The face of a child can say a lot -- especially the mouth part of the face.

My Blog

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>What does your md say? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

My MD circled the Total number and circled the LDL number and made a note directly in the margin of the test results. It said, " This is too high. I'd recommend you reduce your fat intke and re-test in 3 months". I received this in the mail and have not discussed this further with him. During my exam he found ketones in my urine and I told him that I purposely try to keep myself in ketosis and why. I got a little talk about "the dangers of ketosis". So as you can see, I am dealing with someone who really isn't current. I know... I know... I need to get another MD. Anyway, thanks for the encouragement. I am going to continue with this WOE and will retest again in 3 months. Hopefully, the results will gradually get better.