Eye Screening - more good news

[seanj67]

So I recently had my hospital appointment for screening. I was slightly anxious as my BG's haven't been great recently.

They did the usual scans. The test the consultant did with the vertical light was very uncomfortable this time, as trying not to blink as me checked my eyes was hard- the light seemed to "burn" way more than normally.

Anyway, the result was that my bleed has gone and there is no free fluid in my eye. Now that's a first in years. Last year I had managed to loose a cyst that I had in one eye. The bleed has been ongoing for a few years now, but not bad enough to need treatment - other than lowering sugars I guess. I'm honestly not sure how I've managed, but I'm just happy I have!

 

[ianpspurs]

So I recently had my hospital appointment for screening. I was slightly anxious as my BG's haven't been great recently.

They did the usual scans. The test the consultant did with the vertical light was very uncomfortable this time, as trying not to blink as me checked my eyes was hard- the light seemed to "burn" way more than normally.

Anyway, the result was that my bleed has gone and there is no free fluid in my eye. Now that's a first in years. Last year I had managed to loose a cyst that I had in one eye. The bleed has been ongoing for a few years now, but not bad enough to need treatment - other than lowering sugars I guess. I'm honestly not sure how I've managed, but I'm just happy I have!

Great start to the New Year. As far as BSs go if they follow the trajectory of the eye screens, onward and downward. Happy New Year @seanj67 good to have met you even if only virtually.

 

[seanj67]

Great start to the New Year. As far as BSs go if they follow the trajectory of the eye screens, onward and downward. Happy New Year @seanj67 good to have met you even if only virtually.

Thanks you, the same to you!

 

[seanj67]

So following this some not so good news..... sigh.

I had bloods done at 09:30 this morning, and got a call at lunchtime to say the results were in - cholesterol was 9.5 - ouch. They didn't have the breakdown there as it was a receptionist call. Apparently I am to go back on my Statins "immediately" and need more blood tests done Wednesday next week. I have a review on Friday - that's going to be fun.

Hey ho, the battle goes on!

 

[lessci]

So following this some not so good news..... sigh.

I had bloods done at 09:30 this morning, and got a call at lunchtime to say the results were in - cholesterol was 9.5 - ouch. They didn't have the breakdown there as it was a receptionist call. Apparently I am to go back on my Statins "immediately" and need more blood tests done Wednesday next week. I have a review on Friday - that's going to be fun.

Hey ho, the battle goes on!

Headline number not important, it's the split LDL/HDL Triglicerides that matters, and even then unless there is a genetic problem such as hypercholesterolima the latest research throws doubt on this, I'm sure @bulkbiker can point you in the right direction of the relevant studies. And after all that they can prescribe you the statins, but you don't have to fill the prescription or take the tablets if you choose not to

 

[seanj67]

Yea, I'm waiting to get the breakdown next week before I get too stressed. There will be some discussion, but luckily my DN is a listener rather than a lecturer so I'm sure It will be ok

 

[bulkbiker]

Yea, I'm waiting to get the breakdown next week before I get too stressed. There will be some discussion, but luckily my DN is a listener rather than a lecturer so I'm sure It will be ok

If you are low carbing and losing weight then likely your LDL will be high and the docs will panic..
Checkout Trig/HDL ratio and if it is 1 or lower then relax. How long had you fasted before the blood was taken for the lipid panel?

 

[seanj67]

How long had you fasted before the blood was taken for the lipid panel?

I hadn't fasted at all - they don't do fasting blood tests here these days, certainly I haven't had one in a couple of years. That said I hadn't had anything other than coffee since the night before.

 

[bulkbiker]

I hadn't fasted at all - they don't do fasting blood tests here these days, certainly I haven't had one in a couple of years. That said I hadn't had anything other than coffee since the night before.

Be interesting if and when you get the full panel although most surgeries won't do it if not fasted so you may only get total cholesterol which is pointless..

 

[seanj67]

Last time, I got the breakdown I think. I'll find out on Friday...

Be interesting if and when you get the full panel although most surgeries won't do it if not fasted so you may only get total cholesterol which is pointless..

 

[seanj67]

If you are low carbing and losing weight then likely your LDL will be high and the docs will panic..
Checkout Trig/HDL ratio and if it is 1 or lower then relax. How long had you fasted before the blood was taken for the lipid panel?

Ok, I've just given more blood and asked fro a print out - attached is what I got.

 

[bulkbiker]

Ok, I've just given more blood and asked fro a print out - attached is what I got.

What had you eaten before the blood was taken? Your trigs are stratospheric and not in a good way!

 

[seanj67]

What had you eaten before the blood was taken? Your trigs are stratospheric and not in a good way!

I hadn't eaten - I had coffee with a splash of milk. I know they are

 

[bulkbiker]

I hadn't eaten - I had coffee with a splash of milk. I know they are

Be very interesting to see how your doc reacts to those results..

 

[seanj67]

Be very interesting to see how your doc reacts to those results..

I suspect not well - and I don't blame them. My only concern is whether I can change them! Only another day to wait.....

 

[ianf0ster]

Hi seanj67, I'm shocked at how high that triglyceride reading is . Has it been quite high in previous lipid panel results?

I have heard that consuming large amounts of simple fats can lead to higher trig readings, indeed I think my own almost doubling of my trig reading was due to the several 100 ml of Olive Oil I drank in the prior 3 days (as a part of my version of Dave Feldman protocol) - an attempt to keep my LDL 'falsely low' despite still being in weight loss mode on an LCHF way of eating. But mine only went up from 1.92 to 3.74 not to 23 !

Of course yours could be due to a mistake at the lab. If it was me I would want another test asap to be certain what I was dealing with.

 

[seanj67]

Hi seanj67, I'm shocked at how high that triglyceride reading is . Has it been quite high in previous lipid panel results?

I have heard that consuming large amounts of simple fats can lead to higher trig readings, indeed I think my own almost doubling of my trig reading was due to the several 100 ml of Olive Oil I drank in the prior 3 days (as a part of my version of Dave Feldman protocol) - an attempt to keep my LDL 'falsely low' despite still being in weight loss mode on an LCHF way of eating. But mine only went up from 1.92 to 3.74 not to 23 !

Of course yours could be due to a mistake at the lab. If it was me I would want another test asap to be certain what I was dealing with.[/QUOTE

Hi Ian, yea I was shocked. They were high last year but never that high.

I had more bloods drawn today and am seeing the DN Friday, so we'll see what they say. The liver tests weren't too great either but my liver results seem to go up and down. I may need to adapt my approach to low carb... eat less bacon

I'll report back on Friday....

 

[DCUKMod]

@seanj67 - my cholesterol numbers always have an inconveniently high total, although my breakdowns are excellent, with Trigs at 0.75 at last count. However, to get to the chase, my GP (who has just moved from the area - boo his) was always willing to discuss and share ideas. We shared a few academic papers etc.

Anyway, when my total breached 8, at one time, she suggested a referral to a specialist Lipids clinic for a consultant viewpoint. I deferred, due to nan imminent prolonged trip, and next time tested, pre-referral, the total had reduced, so no need to go.

I think, in your shoes, I would be asking for a referral as those Trigs look pretty unusual to me, in my lay state.

I am absolutely not suggesting anything in my message, but I'd want them to be looking at familial hyperlipidaemia, which can throw out very odd readings, and for anything else potentially causing this.

If I am interpreting correctly and you've already had a second test, in rapid succession, then maybe just wait for the referral (if your Doc agrees), but if that read out is from the first and only test in recent times, I'd ask for a retest, and have it as early as possible, say eight in the morning, and have it on only water, if anything in the morning.

Just a final thought. If you take any other meds, could be worthwhile checking if any of them have the potential to impact lipids? Maybe also ask Dr Google if he/he knows of any factors impacting cholesterol testing?

Where are you in the U.K.?

Time for a deep dive on those numbers methinks.

As I say, I am a layperson, not giving you advice, more emptying my brain, thinking how I'd tackle this challenge. Good luck with it all.

 

[alphagemini]

Headline number not important, it's the split LDL/HDL Triglicerides that matters, and even then unless there is a genetic problem such as hypercholesterolima the latest research throws doubt on this, I'm sure @bulkbiker can point you in the right direction of the relevant studies. And after all that they can prescribe you the statins, but you don't have to fill the prescription or take the tablets if you choose not to

I recently had a blood work up. Everything normal except a massive cholesterol count, way above anything I've seen before. A group doctor called me to go and see him. He immediately wrote a prescription for a statin. I got two other checks done and found that my cholesterol is in the ideal range. If I was an obedient idiot I would be taking an unnecessary and potentially damaging drug. Don't trust so called 'test results' without a couple of tests from other providers.

 

[alphagemini]

So following this some not so good news..... sigh.

I had bloods done at 09:30 this morning, and got a call at lunchtime to say the results were in - cholesterol was 9.5 - ouch. They didn't have the breakdown there as it was a receptionist call. Apparently I am to go back on my Statins "immediately" and need more blood tests done Wednesday next week. I have a review on Friday - that's going to be fun.

Hey ho, the battle goes on!

Get a couple of other tests done elsewhere. I don't trust any one shot analysis.