Latest cholesterol and GP wants to see me

TriciaWs

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1,727
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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I had my one year tests this week and have just seen the results after missing a call from the surgery yesterday. I'm assuming it will be the Statins discussion again, which I refused last time and at 3 months into low carb the figures had improved so it was dropped.

I've been low carb for just over a year, since diagnosis and my blood glucose results have been good for nearly a year as they dropped very quickly.
My HbA1c is 33, and I've lost over 5 st (although still lots to go) but the loss is less than half kilo a week now.
In March everything was OK, but my overall Cholesterol and LDL have both risen since.

(March figures in brackets)

Serum HDL cholesterol level 1.82 (1.72)
Serum triglyceride levels 1.2 (1.64)
Serum cholesterol/HDL ratio 3.3 (2.7)
Serum non high density lipoprotein cholesterol level 4.18 (2.18)
Serum LDL cholesterol level 3.6 (2.1)
Serum cholesterol level 6 (4.6)

Do others have similar figures and do you take statins?
 

Guzzler

Master
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The first thing to remember is that while you are still losing weight, even if it just a little weight, this can skew your cholesterol levels as the fat cells (adipocytes) not only store fat but they store a tiny amount of cholesterol too.

I would say that you still need to lower your triglycerides a little, under 1.0 would be better.

And lastly, our health care providers are there to guide us and offer advice not to dictate or demand. You are fully within your rights to make up your own mind on treatments. Good Luck.

Edited to ask.

How long did you fast before the blood draw? This can make a world of difference to trigs.
 

bulkbiker

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19,576
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Diet only
I had my one year tests this week and have just seen the results after missing a call from the surgery yesterday. I'm assuming it will be the Statins discussion again, which I refused last time and at 3 months into low carb the figures had improved so it was dropped.

I've been low carb for just over a year, since diagnosis and my blood glucose results have been good for nearly a year as they dropped very quickly.
My HbA1c is 33, and I've lost over 5 st (although still lots to go) but the loss is less than half kilo a week now.
In March everything was OK, but my overall Cholesterol and LDL have both risen since.

(March figures in brackets)

Serum HDL cholesterol level 1.82 (1.72)
Serum triglyceride levels 1.2 (1.64)
Serum cholesterol/HDL ratio 3.3 (2.7)
Serum non high density lipoprotein cholesterol level 4.18 (2.18)
Serum LDL cholesterol level 3.6 (2.1)
Serum cholesterol level 6 (4.6)

Do others have similar figures and do you take statins?

Had you fasted for 12-14 hours before the blood was taken?

Maybe run your numbers through here and see what you get

https://cholesterolcode.com/new-report-tool-launched/

If your doc starts the conversation "Your total cholesterol is high" ignore anything that comes after... (joking but that's what I'd do).
 

TriciaWs

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,727
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Other
The first thing to remember is that while you are still losing weight, even if it just a little weight, this can skew your cholesterol levels as the fat cells (adipocytes) not only store fat but they store a tiny amount of cholesterol too.

I would say that you still need to lower your triglycerides a little, under 1.0 would be better.

And lastly, our health care providers are there to guide us and offer advice not to dictate or demand. You are fully within your rights to make up your own mind on treatments. Good Luck.

Edited to ask.

How long did you fast before the blood draw? This can make a world of difference to trigs.

I was told to fast for 8 hours, probably did just under 9.
 
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TriciaWs

Well-Known Member
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Type of diabetes
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thanks to Bulkbiker for this link.
Ran my numbers, noting I'd fasted for a shorter than optimal time for the triglycerides test.


---------RISK REPORT---------

Atherogenic Index of Plasma: -0.181 mg/dL = Lowest Risk Third
Low Risk <––-0.181––•––––––––––•––––––––––> High Risk
Go to tinyurl.com/ycccmmnx for more on AIP

Framingham Offspring: 0.9 Odds Ratio = Medium-Low Risk
Low Risk <–––•–––•–––•0.9•–––•–––•–––•–––•–––•–––•–––> High Risk
Go to tinyurl.com/y5fc5adl for more on this Framingham study

Jeppesen risk tertial: Medium Risk Third
Low Risk <––––––––––•––––[X]––––•––––––––––> High Risk
 
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bulkbiker

BANNED
Messages
19,576
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
thanks to Bulkbiker for this link.
Ran my numbers, noting I'd fasted for a shorter than optimal time for the triglycerides test.


---------RISK REPORT---------

Atherogenic Index of Plasma: -0.181 mg/dL = Lowest Risk Third
Low Risk <––-0.181––•––––––––––•––––––––––> High Risk
Go to tinyurl.com/ycccmmnx for more on AIP

Framingham Offspring: 0.9 Odds Ratio = Medium-Low Risk
Low Risk <–––•–––•–––•0.9•–––•–––•–––•–––•–––•–––•–––> High Risk
Go to tinyurl.com/y5fc5adl for more on this Framingham study

Jeppesen risk tertial: Medium Risk Third
Low Risk <––––––––––•––––[X]––––•––––––––––> High Risk

Not looking so bad.. see if you can get a retest with longer fasting period to get more representative numbers before agreeing to any medication.
And ask the GP exactly what he thinks the problem is with an elevated LDL.

If you want send them the link to this thread

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/cholesterol-and-statins.156985/

I and others keep it as up to date as we can.
 
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ianf0ster

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Staff Member
Messages
2,397
Type of diabetes
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Treatment type
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………………………………….
I've been low carb for just over a year, since diagnosis and my blood glucose results have been good for nearly a year as they dropped very quickly.
My HbA1c is 33, and I've lost over 5 st (although still lots to go) but the loss is less than half kilo a week now.
In March everything was OK, but my overall Cholesterol and LDL have both risen since.

(March figures in brackets)

Serum HDL cholesterol level 1.82 (1.72)
Serum triglyceride levels 1.2 (1.64)
Serum cholesterol/HDL ratio 3.3 (2.7)
Serum non high density lipoprotein cholesterol level 4.18 (2.18)
Serum LDL cholesterol level 3.6 (2.1)
Serum cholesterol level 6 (4.6)

Do others have similar figures and do you take statins?

Hi, I am not a doctor and not an expert of Cholesterol.
BUT as far as I understand the things that actually matter, your figures have improved!

You have better HDL and better Triglyceride levels - that is great.
LDL figures will continue to be raised while you are still in weight-loss mode.

Less than half a kilo of weigh loss per week - say between 1 kilo and 1 1/2 kilos per month is nice and sustainable.
Nothing to worry about there.