Well, for the first time ever, I've been diagnosed with borderline high cholesterol. I'd like to think it's a fluke, but I think it's related to my new way of eating.

I'm not going to worry too much. The total number is only a little high--219. The good cholesterol number is, well, good--53. But the bad (LDL) is bad--149.

I've been eating low carb for three months. For the most part, I'm going to continue with the way I've been eating. I plan to add a bit more walking/exercise after the first of the year and I'm giving serious thought to joining Curves come April or May. My gynecologist said I needed to add resistance exercises and additional calcium supplements (1,200mg) to my diet to thwart off osteoporosis.

Anyone else see an LDL and/or overall cholesterol increase while following Atkins? I've heard people say it can happen, but I've also heard others argue that it's only temporary and that the diet was created by a heart doctor for heart patients. If this is true, then how temporary is the temporary increase?

__________________
Melissa

Melissa,

Did you fast before having your blood drawn for the test? I do know that is the proper way of getting a truer reading. I also think I read what you eat prior to the fast (which I think starts at midnight the day of the test) will also affect the reading. I am sure someone who knows more about this will pipe in!

Also, family history plays a very large roll. Some people can eat right and exercise but will still have a higher level.

My last reading was over two years ago before I started LC. It was 215. I HAVE to get to the doctor for an updated test. One of the many little niggly things I have to do.

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

My first post-LC lipid profile was slighly higher (it was already borderline high). However, I did not do a "good" fast before hand. I had a very heavy meal late and kept eating up until the 11 pm or midnight cutoff. Then, I rushed in very early, because I wanted to get it over with and get some coffee.

The next reading a couple of months later was WAY, WAY better - especially HDL (up, Up, UP!) and triglycerides (DOWN, Down, down!). The only thing I did differently was a better fast before hand - my eating habits were basically the same as before.

But, even if you did a good fast, increasing exercise and eating more veggies should help your future lipid profiles.

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

I agree. Good fast, more activity and lots of fibrous veggies make a real difference.

I also need to point out that I've been following this lifestyle for 6 years and my lipid profile has improved every year, while my total cholesterol has stayed in the 200 +/- range. I started with a risk ratio of 5.6 and my most recent was 2.3. Every year my LDL and triglycerides have gone down and my HDL has gone up. My dr's are very happy.

__________________

Yes, Melissa, do not fret over it. I think in the first few months many do have fluctuations upward, but give it another 3-6 months and I almost guarantee an improvement! Keep eating good healthy whole foods...stay away from as much LC junk food that has made it's way onto our grocery store shelves...eat lots of colorful veggies, berries, and nuts (almonds are sooo good for your chol panel!!) and you will be just fine.

And congrats on your great loss so far!!!!
~Lori

__________________
Physician Assistant
Full-time mother of 3 boys
LC since 2/13/02 Recommitted 10/24/05
The joy of the Lord is my strength (and boy do I need it)!!

my cholesterol was pushing 400 before I started low carb ... now it is down to a perfectly normal level, and everything else is also normal.. once right after I started it did go up... but I too, think what you eat a few days prior to your test has an effect. Cheese, for one thing will affect some peoples cholesterol. But,,, my doctor told me that other then watching what we eat, and excercising, there is nothing we can do to control our cholesterol. We CAN control our weight, and that is what she wanted me to be concerned about, and not to worry about the cholesterol... it could be controlled with medicine, where the weight couldn't... It took a lot of worry off my mind... Give it time, and watch what you eat before your next test, and I think you'll be fine, also.

__________________
In the cookies of life, we are the chocolate chips.

Well, that is impressive, Lou! Well done!

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Thank you, everyone for your responses. They are very encouraging!

I did have a nice, long fast...16 hours. It just worked out that way because of work and such. I looked over the few days before the needle stick and didn't see anything glaring in my food menu.

Before low carbing, most of my fat came from fast food places...which have to be worse than a steak, taco salad w/cheese and broccoli with a bit of butter. I'm eating more veggies than ever. Despite the high fat content (which I had before low carbing) I believe I'm eating much more naturally and much, much better.

At this point, I think my weight and stress are probably more heart attack risk factors than my cholesterol. In comparing numbers at work, my "high" cholester is nothing compared to theirs. I'll just tuck my note away so I can compare it with future test results. If it keeps crawling up, then I'll need to consider some changes.

__________________
Melissa

thanks, tweelbee!

__________________
In the cookies of life, we are the chocolate chips.

*Bumped* for Brona'

__________________

Melissa, if you're interested in Curves, I heard somewhere that they're having a special sometime soon that if you donate a bag of food for the food bank, they'll waive the "joining fee". That should save you some $. You might want to check into it.

Cindy

Barb, you have an excellent memory!
I'd forgotten that I even posted this. When I clicked on the link, I was shocked to realize it was my post! LOL

I've not had my cholesterol restested. I probably won't until next year as there wasn't any mention of retesting. So...I'm just eating on plan and I'll wait to see what the results are 10 or 11 months down the road.

__________________
Melissa

LOL, no super memory here, I just used the search function for "cholesterol." Gotta love these tools!!!

I need to get my cholesterol checked. I haven't so far because of no insurance and cost. But if it's not horribly expensive, I will do it in the near future.

__________________

A TV station here does a complete blood workup once a year for $30. It's the 9News health fair, my bosses go to it every year. They even keep the results from year to year so when they give you the results it compares to what you were before. I'm so anxious to get everything done. But it's not until April. What stinks is I didn't get any of that done when I first started (the only blood work I have had in the last few years was when I was pregnant). So I won't know the change but hope to get good results in a couple months. Then I will start doing this every year.

Barb, maybe they have some kind of low cost health fair in the Chicago area.

__________________
Noël


Worry doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strengths.

yep, I need to look into that. I wish I had gotten my initial bloodwork done before starting LC too!!!!!

__________________