Hi.....after 8 months of significantly reducing carbs and sugar, my Hba1c has dropped (only) 2 points to 44. Not only that, my cholesterol levels have gone up - both the LDL and HDL levels are higher than they were in December. I have been eating more cheese, meat, eggs etc as well as lots of veg, but now I really don't know what I should be doing. I cannot live on chicken, fish and nuts alone! Any words of advice? I am hoping to see GP later this week. My BMI is only 19, so really don't want to be losing more weight. Thank-you
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Hba1c down but Cholesterol up...
- Thread starter Flane
- Start Date
I did the very low carb diet, my blood sugars barely budged. My BMI is the same as yours 19. I've brought my HbA1c down to 5.8 % doing exercise, but I have exercised a lot to achieve that number. I'm on a statin for my LDL. My Triglycerides have always been very low and HDL levels are very good. Like you I do not want to lose weight.
@jaywak food has little to do with cholesterol. I'm fat intolerant and have been for years , I very rarely eat eggs. I'm not a big meat eater and I do not drink alcohol. My LDL was high no matter. For the most part it is your liver that produces cholesterol.
Thanks so much for your support- always reassuring to hear that I am not alone. I am beginning to think I may need to go on a statin, but not overly keen on the idea. Will get my head round it, if required!
@jaywak I would most certainly follow your Dr's advice. My diet has little fat, but I have struggled with high LDL cholesterol. There are many factors and genetics play a role, your gut liver axis plays a role, carbs etc. The liver seems to do its own thing, but follow your Dr's advice.
Thanks. Have you experienced side effects?
MrsA2
Expert
My results are similar, except my bmi is higher than yours but still in normal range.
My GP has tried telling me I have familial Hypercholesterolemia, an inherited high ldl BUT there's no family history of heart trouble at all. I have pushed (requested nicely) for a referral to have this checked genetically but am told im likely to considered not seriously high enough for the tests but to go on statins anyway.
I probably will refuse.I've read (and recommend you do too) Dr Malcom Kendricks The Clot Thickens who is very clear on what causes high cholesterol, whether it is really a problem and what can actually be done to reduce risk.
Overall I don't think we (as a world) quite have all the pieces of the large puzzle around metabolism, sugars, cholesterol and probably a whole load more, yet. So for me, I'm doing what I can , that's exercise, sunlight, vitamins c and d, simple one word foods (including dairy and meat fats) and very few carbs. And keeping my fingers crossed .
As regards hba1c, mine went right down is now creeping up, probably because I do have the odd carb over what I should, as is my weight. I don't know answers for you, but seems we are in similar boats on an interesting journey with twists and turns ahead. Let's just try and enjoy the ride.
No I have no side effects @Flanes. My brother in law, however, suffers with aching muscles from the Statins. All I know is they work for me. There is a lot of conflicting advice out there. Some people absolutely need them. They are a life saving medication. While some people have no elevated lipid levels, but are advised to go on them as a precaution. My Dr discussed with me the pros and cons of statins, the possible side effects, and the reasons for going on them. I said I would give them a try. I'm still on them with no issues.
I have read the book @MrsA2 recommends Dr Malcom Kendrick's The Clot Thickens. It's an easy read, very entertaining and very persuasive, but at the end of the day, it is his polemic. There are other books that argue, very convincingly, the reverse. Listen to what your Dr has to say, do your research, and that way you can make an informed choice.
Thanks very much for the info on cholesterol and statins.
I saw my GP today, and he was very helpful - positive about the balance of cholesterol but I got a bit of a shock when he said I would “probably develop diabetes” as it appears there must be a big genetic component (since it didn’t decrease much with lots of carb/sugar cutting). I’m feeling quite disheartened- does that mean there is NOTHING more I can do?? Perhaps my hba1c has been high for years? I guess we’ll never know.
I saw my GP today, and he was very helpful - positive about the balance of cholesterol but I got a bit of a shock when he said I would “probably develop diabetes” as it appears there must be a big genetic component (since it didn’t decrease much with lots of carb/sugar cutting). I’m feeling quite disheartened- does that mean there is NOTHING more I can do?? Perhaps my hba1c has been high for years? I guess we’ll never know.
My partner hasn't developed diabetes and they have a strong genetic component with multiple generations of diabetics. All you can do is your best. Keeping your carbs at a low level and exercise will reduce your chances. That's what my other half does.
I agree with @Melgar my mum youngest of 10 all had T2, including her mother -my mum never did, my dad youngest of 4 all of them had T2, I have T2 but also PCOS which increases your chances of T2 even more, my brother hasn’t got T2.
It’s good that you are aware you have pre diabetes, it gives you a chance of always keeping it that way with what you are doing and never being diagnosed as diabetic.
It’s good that you are aware you have pre diabetes, it gives you a chance of always keeping it that way with what you are doing and never being diagnosed as diabetic.
That's definitely encouraging - thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you @MrsA2 - I agree with you on understanding the metabolism - I think there is still so much more to understand. I have started listening to "The Clot Thickens".... very interesting and entertaining!My results are similar, except my bmi is higher than yours but still in normal range.
My GP has tried telling me I have familial Hypercholesterolemia, an inherited high ldl BUT there's no family history of heart trouble at all. I have pushed (requested nicely) for a referral to have this checked genetically but am told im likely to considered not seriously high enough for the tests but to go on statins anyway.
I've read (and recommend you do too) Dr Malcom Kendricks The Clot Thickens who is very clear on what causes high cholesterol, whether it is really a problem and what can actually be done to reduce risk.
Overall I don't think we (as a world) quite have all the pieces of the large puzzle around metabolism, sugars, cholesterol and probably a whole load more, yet. So for me, I'm doing what I can , that's exercise, sunlight, vitamins c and d, simple one word foods (including dairy and meat fats) and very few carbs. And keeping my fingers crossed .
As regards hba1c, mine went right down is now creeping up, probably because I do have the odd carb over what I should, as is my weight. I don't know answers for you, but seems we are in similar boats on an interesting journey with twists and turns ahead. Let's just try and enjoy the ride.
I too will just "do my best" with diet, exercise and being outdoors - and reducing stress and worrying. I'm sure high coritsol is probably worse for us than anything else....
Many thanks again.
Alexandra100
Well-Known Member
Have a look at Nick Norwitz on Youtube re. LDL goes up when A1C comes down, also Dr Eric Westman, Dr Ford Brewer and many others on Youtube trying to bring us up to date on cholesterol and LDL (not nearly as bad as was claimed).
Have you considered lowering your carbs still further? Imo blood glucose trumps LDL every time. I try to keep my carbs under 20g per day
Try eating more fish, and kelp supplements can help reduce cholesterol, better with fish though.
