Hi all,

I had my annual physical a couple of weeks ago and my Dr. ordered the usual blood work.

BUT, I haven't gone to the lab yet because for some reason I am afraid that the results might not be great. My cholesterol and triglycerides were fabulous when they were checked about five yeart ago - back when I ate a primarily vegetarian diet. I've never eaten so much meat in my life, and while I feel great, I still have this lurking fear that my body might suffer some consequence from all this "indulgence."

I really will go in this week, but I just had to vent about this fear. I will let you know when I get the results.

Thanks for listening,

Staci

Staci, I felt the same way. I'd noticed that my total cholesterol (checked when I gave blood) had been climbing and climbing throughout the months of LC eating. From a low of 168 up to about 230.

However, when I had the full profile done, the results were very positive. Triglycerides on the low side of normal range. LDL well within range. HDL high,but LDL/HDL ratio extremely favorable at about .8

These days, the total doesn't seem to be as significant as the ratios/triglycerides. And I'm looking really good there.

Take a load off your mind and get the tests!

Barb L.
Started Atkins January 2003
162/141/130

Hang in there Staci.

Barb's given you a good perspective on viewing your results. It's too bad you didn't have a full lipid profile right before you started this way of eating, since that gives you a better sense of what effect your new diet is having.

Most doctors I know are now not terribly interested in the total cholesterol number. They're interested in triglyceride numbers and the ratio of HDL to Total Cholesterol. As I've posted before, the lab at our major hospital now calls that ratio the "Risk Ratio" which gives you some idea of how it is viewed these days.

My own experience is that my total cholesterol didn't change much (hovers between 200 & 220) but over the course of the last 5 years of eating this way, my risk ratio has gone from over 5 to 2.3 and my doctor is happy as a clam. (4 and under is what you aim for.)

Let us know when you get your results!

HTH

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

Staci - I think you gotta do it! If there's some other significant problem, it's better to know about it and be able to do something about it.

I think I used to be in the same boat as you, I worried about what might be there. Now that I've had a couple done, I've seen how my ratios improved while doing Atkins. The total went up slightly, but all the important ratios went down, and HDL went up.

John

July 03, 2003 - Atkins
Sept. 29, 2003 - Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle
202/170.5/170

Staci,

Go ahead and do it. If you haven't been on the plan for very long, the results may appear a little misleading.... but pay attention to the ratio the others have mentioned and be sure to have the labs done at least once a year. If you don't have smashing numbers now, just know that over time they will improve.

Ginger

Life is NOT a dress rehearsal.
159/145.5/139

Staci...I was the same way, especially since I've only been doing Atkins for a little over a month. But I'm pasting my results below for you. do it girl!!!!

I've been doing Atkins since 10-27...had Lipid and Liver panel tests 10-4...and then again 2 days ago. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!!
10-4 tests: 12-2 tests
total cholesterol 205 215
hdl 34 79
ldl 150 120
Triglicerides 106 80
ratio 6.1 1.5!!!!!
liver AST 70 33-normal
liver ALT 127 44-normal

I am over the moon! And all this while eating eggs, real butter, real cream. WHO KNEW! Dr. Atkins did...that's who! And what will I do to celebrate! I will have one of Maggie's favorites...>>>bows head reverently<<<< a MARTINI!!!!!
This board is great!!!
THANKS!!!

227.5/215 helloooooo 150!
Gertie

Woo-Hoo, Gertie!

Way to go, sister! Those results are fabulous and faster than many people see on this way of eating. Some of us have to wait months to see that level of improvment. (... and keep that in mind, those of you who don't see this kind of results immediately! Sometimes it takes several months to see positive results. My numbers improved after several months, and have CONTINUED to improve over the last five years.)

How great for you!

I will drink to your health ... tomorrow . (Not on a work night ... LOL!)

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

I agree with Maggie. It's the ratios that matter, not the total number. My cardiologist recommended this way of eating to me over 5 years ago and told me that my numbers may be out of wack for up to a year. He was right but they have steadily improved over the years. Just relax and keep on keeping on.

Atkins Maintainer
Originally registered Feb. 2001
5"1" 96 to 102 lbs
HDL 102
Tryglicerides 64
Glucose 79