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diabetic review

gilliwilli

gilliwilli

Member
Messages
24
Location
worcestershire
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Have just had my diabetic review and feel quite fed up and confused. I have been following a low carb diet and have kept my blood sugar levels under good control without any medication. My HbA1c was 50 but my cholesterol has risen from 4.3 to 6.1 and my blood pressure is also high. I feel that having good blood sugar control is great but not at the expense of my cholesterol and my blood pressure. Has anyone else had similar results to this and if so what did you do.
 
My cholesterol has incresed not as drastically as yours but i was following a similar diet. ive decided to sod it all and eat normally again. i bet my cholesterol comes down again.
 
Do you have the breakdown of your cholesterol profile? Total cholesterol really tells you very little.

The most common effects of a low carb diet are that triglycerides should be lower, HDL should be higher and LDL can vary - sometimes higher/sometimes lower. Unfortunately only the US seem to regularly use lipoprotein size testing, so we have no way of knowing whether we have the large, fluffy LDL (protective) or the dangerous small dense LDL. I really wish we had access to the same kind of testing the US do :x
 
Indy makes a very good point. The method of testing and the way it is reported are important. Unfortunately your LDL numbers, by UK test methods, may look worse than they are. This sets up a dilemma in dealing with your HCP.

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/faq/f/ ... sterol.htm

http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-manage ... -long-term

I would also like to add that if you are in the process of loosing weight, your adipose tissue are dumping fatty acids and triglycerides into your blood stream. This can create a distortion in your readings. Something to think about.

Kenny
 
Thanks for your replies. It really is a minefield isn't it. I want to keep on low carbing to control my blood sugar levels but obviously am concerned about the high cholesterol and blood pressure. I think just give everything my best shot and what will be will be. This website really is the way forward. Thanks again.
 
Hi. The there is no reason to believe that sensible low-carbing itself would cause raised cholesterol or BP levels. I personally believe blood sugar is the number one priority. BP can normally be controlled with suitable tablets. Statins can be added but many would say to stay away from them. I would ask the GP about BP tablets if he/she thinks the BP is too high. A cholesterol of 6.1 is not that high comapred with some so I wouldn't panic at this stage.
 
gilliwilli said:
Thanks for your replies. It really is a minefield isn't it. I want to keep on low carbing to control my blood sugar levels but obviously am concerned about the high cholesterol and blood pressure. I think just give everything my best shot and what will be will be. This website really is the way forward. Thanks again.
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Hello gilliwill :D

Your thoughts and concerns are just like mine are.

I'm newly diagnosed (Monday) and am also worried about the High Cholestral issue, esp. with strong family history of serious Heart problems (have just posted about it it another thread).

I've been on Low Gi for years, and still ended up Diabetic.. it's all rather confusing to know which is the best eating plan/diet to follow. I think I'm going to do the meter testing as it seems to be the only way to really know for sure how foods are affecting my Blood Glucose.

Which eating plans/diets have you tried before? Low Gi, or low Carb High Fat, or something else?
 
Hi world hereafter
Thanks for your reply. I have tried a combination of low GI and low carb/highish fat. I test my bs levels each morning and when I eat anything that I haven't eaten before or if I feel " not quite right". I am on 40mg simvastatin so haven't been worrying about my cholesterol until my blood test results yesterday. Now I am seriously questioning whether I have been following the right diet or not and where do I go from here?
 
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