OMG!!! HELP!!!!

I just got my results back, and it is not good.

My total is 267! and it gets worse!

HDL-59
LDL-199!!!

what do I do? I generally hate poultry and fish. I'm a red meat kinda gal. I am starting Curves today, and I'll try to add more low fat low carb choices...any other advice?
I'm kind of nervous about this!

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Heather
182-2/27/08

I know how you are feeling. I started back in January and was tested and was much higher than one year ago. I get retested this week.

I have increase my exersise and decreased the red meat and fats. I still have some, but have added more poultry and fish. Also, I have cut down on the meat and added more veggies...

hmm, I was kind of hoping for,"oh, don't worry about it. It is ok to have high cholesterol these days." Guess that was my denial.
I'm thinking I'll eat more egg whites than yolks, too. Thanks Chicago, and any other suggestions welcome.

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Heather
182-2/27/08

I wish I had some recommendations to give you in terms of what to eat. Fish and poultry might help, but I am not sure how much of an improvement changing your eating habits would make.

May I ask what and how many vitamins are you taking?

I would like to refer to DANDR page 277. I will not type it for copyright purposes, but it does have some recommendations for vita-nutrients that you can take to lower your cholesterol. It is a bit short, but I looked at Dr. Atkins vita nutrient solutions (I don't own it though) and it has some more recommendations for how you can improve cholesterol levels through 'vita nutrients'. I don't know if it will help, but almost everything Atkins has said so far turned out to be true, so IMO it is worth a shot...

As for the traditional recommendations, it is usually advised that you keep your saturated fat down, and raise your unsaturated fats. You have said that you don't want to give up red meat (not that I blame you) so I don't know if this will help.

Additionally, aerobics are said to help reduce cholesterol levels. I really wish I had some better info to give, but cholesterol is one area that I only have a layman’s grasp of...

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Started Atkins on 9/20/03
235-->190; 150 goal

Something else that I want to ask: I see from your signature that you re-started Atkins January 12th. It is possible that this is a brief elevation. Sometimes in the beginning, I have heard, cholesterol levels can go up. In those cases, they go down after about 6 months of eating consistently on the plan.

Do you have other cholesterol readings from before? It is possible that your levels were actually higher before, and are on the way down.

In any event, after thinking about it a bit more, I can see three options:

1. Changing your diet. This might include the poultry/fish. Lower saturated fat, increase unsaturated fat (nuts, olive oil, etc.).

2. Try a vita nutrient approach. Look up what Dr. Atkins recomended, and take those vitamins.

3. Ask your Dr. about statins, cholesterol reducing drugs. I would recomend doing this last, if the first two don't work.

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Started Atkins on 9/20/03
235-->190; 150 goal

Paladin gave you some great advice. I would really watch your saturated fat intake. I try to keep mine down to 10% of my calories, But I'm usually around 15%. I dont eat red meat very often, maybe once a week, and then its a nice juicy steak. I have an egg once a week, usually on sunday, I know there are a lot of restrictions when you have to deal with high cholesterol, But it is important to make the effort to try to control it through diet if you can. In some cases it is genetic, and no matter what you do, cholesterol will remain high. I'm afraid I'm going to be in that catagory. I'm due for a blood work up next month, I guess I'll find out then. All the luck in the world to you.....

wow, thanks for all the great advice! I will look into the vitamin thing. I am really bad about that. I'll take a multi for a week or so and then forget one day and not get back to them.
and yes, I did Atkins 8/5-11/25 and then pretty much stopped off and on through the middle of january.
We'll see in three months.

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Heather
182-2/27/08

Heather,

It seems that the whole subject of cholesterol readings (lipid profiles) and their meaning is controversial and confusing. For every source that says it's all about diet, there are two that say it's mostly a genetic thing. And that doesn't necessarily mean your parents have cholesterol issues, as all "genetic" conditions have to start somewhere. We do know for sure that 20 years of low-fat, "heart healthy" diet recommendations have done nothing to decrease the incidence of heart disease, obesity, and diabetes in this country.

Just a few years ago, foods containing cholesterol, like eggs and shrimp, were to be avoided at all costs. There is widespread agreement now that eating cholesterol does not cause high cholesterol. Saturated fat is the next culprit named - but if eating fat causes high cholesterol, why are low-fat diets so often ineffective toward lowering it? And now come not everyone who eats high-fat foods has high cholesterol?

Despite the conflicting theories, most experts do agree that the ratios are more important than the individual numbers, and that the test results must be evaluated as a whole package. Even then, there is debate over whether the REAL predictive factor, the most important number in the group, might be triglicerides. Or is it homosystein levels that tell the true story? Or C-reactive protein? ARRGH!!

One thing I think we can be pretty sure of is that there's no need to panic over a single set of numbers. In and of themselves, they don't mean a whole lot. There are many factors to consider when trying to predict and prevent health problems, and this is just one piece of the puzzle. There are lots of people out there with "high cholesterol" who are perfectly healthy and never develop heart disease, no matter what they eat or don't eat. And there are lots of people with "normal" lipid profiles who have heart disease/attacks, no matter what they eat or don't eat.

I would think your doctor would want to start by confirming the initial test results. Were you fasting for at least 12 hours before the blood was drawn? That can alter the test results dramatically. If the numbers you got initially are accurate, they give you ratios that would probably be considered borderline...depending on which calculation is used, your HDL/total ratio is 4.5 when under 5 is desirable, and HDL/LDL is 3.5 when under 3.5 is desireable. If the confirming test comes back with similar numbers, your doctor should be looking at whether you smoke, your family history, your age, weight, body fat and activity levels, whether other health conditions such as diabetes exist, etc. Again, cholesterol is only one part of the total picture. And for all we know, the 267 reading you just got could be on its way down, since there's no previous test to compare to.

This post may be so rambling that it's not of much help, but what I'm trying to say is, don't panic - cholesterol numbers are not necessarily predictive of anything, and they are subject to a broad range of interpretations. Of course you'll want to follow up with your doctor, but please don't spend the time till then worried about this one lab test - stress can negatively affect those ratios, you know!

Best wishes,

Sky
Atkins since 8/02
196/144/under 150

Thank you, Sky. Very helpful.

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Heather
182-2/27/08

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> . It is possible that this is a brief elevation. Sometimes in the beginning, I have heard, cholesterol levels can go up. In those cases, they go down after about 6 months of eating consistently on the plan.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I hope this is true, for me I was a normal level before atkins (back in 2002) then went way up (but that was only 4 wks into the woe) then I quit and a year later, my readings were normal again? Now that I've started Atkins again in Jan 04, not having my readings yet, that they will not be up again, I will find out in July when I have a physical, that should be enough time on this woe to know I assume.

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185/157/130

I want a normal BP, healthy weight and good Cholesterol

Using olive oil, flaxseed oil and garlic will also help bring cholesterol levels down. The liver produces 80% of our cholesterol and 20% comes from our dietary intake. Our bodies actually NEED cholesterol, and cholesterol has gotten a much worse rap than it should. The most IMPORTANT fats to cut out are trans-fats found in hydrogenated foods. Check your labels for any hydrogenated fats. If you have any in your house GET RID OF THEM!!!!! I would suggest you get Protein Power or Protein Power Lifeplan by the Eades. They give a most excellent explanation of cholesterol. Plus, I'm thinking since you got back on this WOL only about 3 months ago, it's going to take your body a while to adjust. Make sure you are doing LOTS of fiber too!!! Get some flaxmeal and incorporate it into homemade LC pancakes, mock danish and the like. you can sprinkle it onto salads too without really tasting it. I like it actually and find that I crave it. It really helps clean out the innards too!!!!

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kat23wg
Newbie


04-02-04 02:17 PM 04-02-04 12:17 PM
I'm young only 22 and my mother and granparents have a history of high cholesterol. I'm getting nervous about what mine is. I haven't had a cholesterol test done ever. (i would now but i don't have health insurance at the moment) I eat 2 scrambled eggs everymorning since i started this diet (beginning of Jan) What are some other things that i can eat for breakfast that i wouldn't have to worry about cholesterol?

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April
Admin/Moderator
Low Carb For Life




04-02-04 02:33 PM 04-02-04 12:33 PM

quote: I haven't had a cholesterol test done ever. (i would now but i don't have health insurance at the moment)

I don't know about the area you live in, but many places do free cholesterol checks. Our local Kroger (grocery store) just had one in February. There are health departments that have them, as well. You may want to check out your local health department. Since you do not have health insurance, I'm sure they have plans for doing blood pressure and cholesterol checks at little or no cost.

April
"If at first you don't succeed, redefine success."
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Down 143 pounds
29 to go...
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Barb Keith
Admin/Moderator
Low Carb For Life


04-02-04 06:18 PM 04-02-04 04:18 PM

Kat, flaxomeal cereal is REALLY good for cleaning out the arteries. Fiber does a great job of keeping cholesterol down. There's a recipe for it in the recipe data base up there at the top of the page in the green button. Look under breakfast and then Maggie's Cereal. You can use that as a base recipe and add other stuff. I add almond flour and s/f syrups to mine. I also add mealed nuts, like pecans, walnuts, pistachios. Yum Yum!!!! Sweeten it however you want. I use Stevia.

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!
www.iwsgroupinc.com - website design and development

Atkins-3/14/03
174/143.6/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

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Barb Keith
Admin/Moderator
Low Carb For Life


04-02-04 06:20 PM 04-02-04 04:20 Pm

OOPS, it's been changed. I'm not sure where the recipe is now. Here's a link to the Cooking Forum Cooking Forum at the top is the mock danish recipe, to which I also at flaxmeal.......adds nice fiber and tastes good.

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!
www.iwsgroupinc.com - website design and development

Atkins-3/14/03
174/143.6/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER



Posts: 3976 | From: Chicago area, USA | Registered: 08-30-03

paladin
Low Carb Veteran

04-02-04 07:12 PM 04-02-04 05:12 PM

Barb, I don't know if this is what you were refering to, but I found the recepie right where it always was Maggie's Breakfast Cereal.

Started Atkins on 9/20/03
235-->185; 150 goal
Posts: 428 | From: Rochester, NY | Registered: 12-14-03

Barb Keith
Admin/Moderator
Low Carb For Life


04-03-04 05:49 AM 04-03-04 03:49 AM

Thanks!!!! You're a PAL!!!!!

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!
www.iwsgroupinc.com - website design and development

Atkins-3/14/03
174/143.6/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER




Posts: 3976 | From: Chicago area, USA | Registered: 08-30-03 Kerry
Low Carb Eater

04-03-04 02:34 PM 04-03-04 12:34 PM

Barb,

I'm curious why you add almond flour to Maggie's cereal? Taste? or is there a health benefit I'm not considering?

Posts: 245 | From: Gulfport, MS, USA | Registered: 12-06-03

Lou
Low Carb Eater

04-03-04 02:54 PM 04-03-04 12:54 PM

my cholestrol was over 300.. it came down some.. but my doctor gave me zocor and told me to let that control it. she said I was doing good with my diet and controlling my weight, so for me not to worry about my cholestrol too. Just let the medicine do it for me.

"for I have plans for you, to give you hope and a future."Jeremiah 29:11
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