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Lowering Cholesterol

Muddy Cyclist

Muddy Cyclist

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,694
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Three months have passed since my Type 2 diagnosis which gave a HbA1c result of 49. I immediately went onto a low carb diet, 30 to 35 grams per day, increased my Aerobic exercise on my mountain bike to 2 to 3 hour sessions three times a week, lost 23 Kilo I now weigh 80 Kilo and have managed to bring my HbA1c down to 44 without the use of medication. I was hoping to get into the 30s but that is now my aim for the next test in 12 weeks time.

However my cholesterol increased to 6.2 from 6 and NHS are not happy, calculating a QRISK of heart related problem at 24%. I do not have a break down of good HDL / bad LDL cholesterol, must find out, but there seems to be more bad, although my HDL had increased since the last test. My doctor says increasing my Aerobic exercise should improve the good stuff but advised I used Statins, which I refused, he agreed I should have a review in 6 months.

I believe I can change the QRISK calculation by making changes to diet and further increasing my Mountain Biking the one thing I am unable to change in the equation is my age of 70 years , if only I could.

The question is without the use of statins what success have other Type 2’s on a low carb diet had in reducing their Cholesterol and what have they found works for them?
 
Are you serious?

An increase of 0.2!! Whilst losing 23 kilo! (Losing weight almost always pushes cholesterol up temporarily, wait til it’s stable). And without considering ratios!!

I’m so glad you refused.

To have better numbers- test once weight stable, fast for 12 hrs not just 8hrs, increase muscle therefore resistance to just cardio exercise.

To decide if you give a stuff about cholesterol numbers read https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/cholesterol-and-statins.156985/

My mid 50’s husband, seriously into biking, is most impressed with 9hrs mountain biking a week at 70!
 
Thank you so much HSSS, the link was very informative and reassuring, lots to take in but well worth staying up late to read and watch all within the link. And NO I no longer give a stuff about Cholesterol readings, I shall concentrate on lowering my HbA1c and stick to my existing diet and exercise plan at least until my old legs refuse to Mountain Bike anymore.
 
I wouldn't bother even wasting a single second on something so flawed as the Qrisk....

Congrats on your results so far, very impressive.
 
There have been some interesting threads discussing the failings of the Qrisk calculation. You may be interested in having a search for them.

One of the main factors in the calc is your postcode. Yes. You read me right. So people get to live longer, or shorter, depending on which side of the street (or town) they live. Oh, I know, that there are usually different health outcomes for people living in different income bands, and areas, and that healthcare differs significantly in different CCG areas. Those are a sad given. But do you eat and exercise and live the same as your neighbours? I sure as heck don't! Comparing me with them because we live on the same street is a farce.
 
Brunneria said:
There have been some interesting threads discussing the failings of the Qrisk calculation. You may be interested in having a search for them.

One of the main factors in the calc is your postcode. Yes. You read me right. So people get to live longer, or shorter, depending on which side of the street (or town) they live. Oh, I know, that there are usually different health outcomes for people living in different income bands, and areas, and that healthcare differs significantly in different CCG areas. Those are a sad given. But do you eat and exercise and live the same as your neighbours? I sure as heck don't! Comparing me with them because we live on the same street is a farce.
Click to expand...

Brunneria, great comment. I'd go one further, comparing ANY individual with another to come up with this Qrisk score is massively flawed. It takes no account of whether a person exercises, eats well, their physiology, their family background, their DNA and all those other things that make us unique and different. I realise that its just a way they can put people into a category and I understand that they can't take account of a million factors but once you put age & diabetes into the score, well there's at least 15% risk before you start so 'statins 'it is!

@Muddy Cyclist, all I can say is WOW, what a man!!!!!
 
Brunneria, I did not know that about Post Codes but I am not surprised. KK123 I agree, the QRISK result didn't really alarm me as I knew how I had made lifestyle changes that it could not calculate, it was more all the NHS info and Health industries take on Cholesterol and I had heard many bad things about Statins so did not wish to ever take them. After following the links in HSSS post I have a much better understanding of how things work or don't work which everyone offered statins should be allowed to read.

Thanks to everyone for your support, it really helps.

PS As a matter of clarity there are a whole load of Mountain Bikers aged 70 to 85 years regularly riding the technical trails of Cannock Chase, most are faster and fitter than the younger riders and of course we have the time, so OLD does not have to mean Beige Cardigans lol.
 
I’m glad you were confident enough to refuse the statins Arm yourself with some ‘sound bites’ before your next review. However, the thing to remember is they cannot stand over you everyday ensuring you take the statins - so no need to worry about them forcing them on you!

Another one very impressed with the changes you made to your eating & lifestyle and especially the Mountain Biking!! But as you say you’re one of the ‘youngsters!’
 
Hi. The Qrisk thing is relative nonsense and probably best ignored. Do ask your GP for a full fasting lipids test at your next review and from those results you can work out your ratios. If you don't already have online access to your test results at your surgery then do ask for the access. There are generally two levels of access and you need the second level that includes test results. BTW don't take No for an answer as local CCGs now ask surgeries to provide this access.
 
As until this diagnosis I have tried to avoid doctors and so I have no Online access but will certainly obtain it now, thanks for the advise Daibell.
 
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