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Bit Puzzled

jay hay-char

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,683
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
A couple of quick questions. I'm about three months into having been diagnosed with T2 and I'm (generally) making reasonable progress in getting my blood/glucose under control. I had the results of a blood test back a few weeks ago and spoke to my GP about them at the time. There's a question about my BP, which appears to be all over the place at the moment, and that led to another visit to my GP, who had a further look at my test results and made a couple of new comments, namely: (1) analysis of my urine showed a higher level of protein than there should be. This might mean a kidney problem, though my bloods indicated that kidney function was good. My GP said that it was more likely to be related to changing to fewer carbs in my diet (though I'm not a full-on low-carb headbanger) and starting to take metformin. Any views on this? and (2) although my cholesterol count appears to be good (about 4.0), apparently the balance between good and bad cholesterol is out of kilter and, wouldn't you know it, there's too much bad and not enough good in the mix. My GP indicated that, although my overall reading was in line with NICE guidelines for diabetics, I was likely, nevertheless, to be prescribed statins subject to my next set of tests in late October. How can it be that my overall measurements are within the criteria set by experts and yet I'm still likely to end up on medication which, to put it politely, has a rather chequered career and reputation? Any observations would be welcome.

In other news, I've been booked on a diabetic education session in October and for eye screening in December. That's respectively four and six months post-diagnosis. I suppose these things take time, and there are plenty of prospective punters, but it all seems a bit leisurely.......

Hey-ho; onwards and, erm, sideways, I guess
 
Did you get a print out of your blood results? If not, I suggest you get one of all blood tests since and including diagnosis. You then have the evidence in your hand, you can look up what they all mean as Google is very good at that, and come back here for advice if necessary.

Was the urine test that showed the protein sent off to the lab, or just a dip stick by the nurse? If the former, there will be a print off for that, too.

As for statins, the decision is yours. Your GP may well try to push them on you, but you are entitled not to accept. My GP told me "we prescribe statins to all diabetics because the risk of CVD is twice as high". Again, one size fits all with no account taken of personal circumstances.
 
I would have a good read of the latest cholesterol research, get your actual test results from the surgery, and make your own decision about the statins.

Personally, I would rather have high cholesterol than statins, and your total cholesterol of 4 is waaaay below average!
 

Thanks, yes - I do have figures for various things. The critical figure was total cholesterol/HDL, which was 6.1. I know that this is higher than the guideline figure (?4.5, or similar?) but my question was more about whether, given that my total cholesterol is within the acceptable range, anybody had an opinion on whether or not taking statins was a necessity or just a knee jerk response.

Urine test was a lab job, though I don't have the figures. Like the bloods, I'm due a repeat performance in October so I'll leave it ftb; but would still be interested to know if anyone else has heard of a low carb /metformin combo leading to an increase in protein in your wee.
 
my total cholesterol is 2.7 and I still take a small dose of statin to protect from microvasscular inflammation/complication.
there was a statin topic this week on it
I think grain free, low carb high fat is the best thing to do for cholesterol
 
Bit confused . You said your cholesterol was about 4. then you said it was 6.1. I may have missed something, I often do.
 
What was your HDL? It must have been very low to give to a ratio of 6.1 with a total of only 4. In fact it doesn't make sense to me! Are you sure your total was 4? You divide the total by the HDL to get a ratio. The guideline for the ratio is under 4.

Sorry, can't help with your question about the protein. Is there a lot?

Post crossed with above.
 
Ah ratio. thanks.
 

The figures are those given to me by the Doc. Given that my cholesterol/HDL ratio is 6.1, I guess that my HDL is quite low and that's why he is suggesting that I may need statins. Total cholesterol is definitely 4.

Don't have a figure for protein, just that it was a bit above what it should be. That could mean anything from "It's through the roof" to "It's a bit above what it should be"

Best to wait and see, I guess; I'm still very much in the adjustment phase for everything.....
 

Ask for the print out. If your Total was 4, your HDL must have been less than 1.
 
I was cholesterol 5.5
trig 2.6
hdl 1.3
ldl 2.8
chol/hdl ratio 4.1
trig/hdl ratio 2

went on LCHF and statin
tot cholesterol 2.7
trig 1.4
HDL 1.2
LDL 0.9
chol/HDL ratio 2.2
trig/HDL ratio 1.16

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/statins-research.64295/#post-630981
statin and diabetes at av. 2.7 yr
retinopathy HR=0.6 [decrease of risk]
neuropathy HR=0.66
gangrene of the foot HR=0.88
diabetic nephropathy HR=0.97 [near neutral]
diabetes HR=1·17 [increase of risk]
 
You may want to consider becoming a head banging low carber. It will likely improve your lipids. High carb and very low fat will also improve your lipids, but make your blood sugar go though the roof. To improve lipids and blood sugar, LCHF is the way to go.
 
It might be worthwhile puting your data into http://www.qrisk.org/ This is used by medics to calculate your cardio risk, by assessing various factors. As you have your test print outs, you should have pretty much all the info.

I was also told all diabetics are encouraged to take statins. I don't.
 
******, I'm not 61 till xmas

How does your 10-year score compare?
Your score
Your 10-year QRISK®2 score13.6%
The score of a typical person with the same age, sex, and ethnicity*12.9%
Relative risk**1.1
Your QRISK® Heart Age***61
 
Your HDL must be 0.65mmol/l

(4/0.65=6.1)
The UK target for HDLis I think is above 1mmol/l.
 
The Qrisk is most unfair. It goes up and up the older you are and I can't do a blasted thing about that!
 
phoenix said:
Your HDL must be 0.65mmol/l

(4/0.65=6.1)
The UK target for HDLis I think is above 1mmol/l.
Click to expand...


It is Phoenix, here are the target cholesterol levels that they want people with diabetes to aim for:

  • Your total cholesterol level should be below 4.0mmol/l.
  • LDL levels should be less than 2.0mmol/l.
  • HDL levels should be 1.0mmol/l or above in men and 1.2mmol/l or above in women.
  • Triglyceride levels should be 1.7mmol/l or less.
 
I've been wondering if these still apply to type 2 diabetics if they are maintaining blood sugar levels below pre-diabetic levels. Or can they just go by the regular targets? Any thoughts?
 
NoCrbs4Me said:
I've been wondering if these still apply to type 2 diabetics if they are maintaining blood sugar levels below pre-diabetic levels. Or can they just go by the regular targets? Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

I'd imagine they just apply to all diabetics regardless of type or bg control.
 
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