Cholesterol is 319

[meJane]

I went to my annual gyn appt where they do a quick cholesterol screening. My total was 319! yikes! I have to do a fast then go in for a lipid profile to get a breakdown of the hdl, tri,ldls next week.

I'm a little stunned right now over the number..but until I hear what the breakdown is.....I'm reserving the tendency to freak out.

The nurse who took the blood from my finger said I had the most ketones she has ever seen lately..inquired if I had eaten that day (yes) and when the last time I had any water to drink or anything to drink (no water yet that day...but a few cups of decaf black coffee). I know I should not be drinking coffee...but I do drink only decaf plain.

I told her that I tend to eat very low carb/high protein which I would hope would be the cause of my high ketone levels to which she just shrugged her shoulders.

My gyn eats a low carb/high protein diet himself I might add!
Anyways, I have a VERY strong family history of high cholesterol - both parents & a few brothers take cholesterol meds.

My gyn said based on the test results he may rx vitorin for me. I told him I would like to learn about alternative foods sources or supplements that would reduce my cholesterol (which I am reseraching now on the internet) - before I committ to a prescription product. I'm not the type to take meds. I do take my vitamins religiously though.

Of the most commom risk factors contributing to high cholesterol abouth the only ones that fit my profile are familial history, I eat my fair share of saturated fats (butter, red meats), but otherwise - I live a good life.

So, wish me luck on my profile outcome - I won't take the test for at least another week then I have to wait to get the lab results back - so 2 + weeks total I am guessing.

In the meantime, I will continue to do what I have been doing until the results tell me I need to do something different.

FYI - the last cholesterol lipid profile I had that I know the breakdown of the numbers was done 8 years ago when I just turned 32 & the total cholesterol was already 221. Two years prior at age 29 - the total was 191.

WIsh me luck - I hope not to have to give up any more butter or my beloved beef jerky than I have too!

Jane

[ttdriver]

You are VERY WISE not to freak out. Total cholesterol means nothing .. you must find out the breakdown of HDL/LDL/Triglycerides.

Again, very wise decision to seek out natural remedies. I highly suggest researching flush-free niacin, garlic, fish oil ....

HANG IN THERE and don't go with the RX until you read The 8 Week Cholesterol Cure.

Betty

[2big4mysize]

since you hadn;t hasted for this test the cholesterol value will be a refection of the cholesterol in your last meal plus your cholesterol blood value.

there are many things we can do with our Atkins to help lower the bad and increase the good cholesterol just be changing the food choices we make but folk who are genetically prone to high cholesterol have to take additional measures. The good news is many plants have chems that can effect cholesterol production in the human body and most are OWL legal.

Good luck with your testing.

[MidnightJulliett]

I just finished reading Kevin Trudeau's book and was pretty taken aback to see that there have actually been NO studies to prove that high cholesterol leads to heart disease? Furthermore that the the cholesterol we ingest has no effect on the amount of cholesterol in our blood? Cholesterol is a neccesary element (for lack of a better word) as well, and statin drugs inhibit the livers production of cholesterol. He claims that through proper diet and supplementation the body should rid itself of the cholesterol it produces. However, with our Western diets, nutrient deprived, processed food, our body needs a little support in getting rid of excess cholesterol. He reccomends fiber, garlic, fish oil, and niacin. Just my two cents.

[HeidiE]

I agree to disagree with some of my doctors on this issue ... while my numbers (pre Atkins) were really never "bad" they were however on the line and they were allready talking drugs I refused to take anything and found this woe lost weight and improved my diet...no refined or processed foods and no transfat ...now they (my numbers) are fantastic and I eat in moderation from all the food groups now ..with lots of good natural fat to keep me content

be careful adding niacin it can give you a miserable flushing rash ....

I think adding fiber rich foods is better than a supplement ...eating fresh garlic is better than a supplement and eating fresh fish is better than a supplement...

supplements are fine but they are expensive and not quality controled ..all the things that are in these foods that are good for you ..work better if they are in their natural states...

but that is my opinion and not medical advice....good luck and I have read his stuff he is on the right track I just wish people would push good fresh foods instead of supplements

[ttdriver]

be careful adding niacin it can give you a miserable flushing rash ....

Heidi, niacin is available in a "flush-free" variety, which is the type I've been taking for over 2 years. No nasty flush .. in fact, no side effects at all.

Betty

[sallyseachange]

Originally Posted by MidnightJulliett

I just finished reading Kevin Trudeau's book and was pretty taken aback to see that there have actually been NO studies to prove that high cholesterol leads to heart disease? Furthermore that the the cholesterol we ingest has no effect on the amount of cholesterol in our blood? Cholesterol is a neccesary element (for lack of a better word) as well, and statin drugs inhibit the livers production of cholesterol. He claims that through proper diet and supplementation the body should rid itself of the cholesterol it produces. However, with our Western diets, nutrient deprived, processed food, our body needs a little support in getting rid of excess cholesterol. He reccomends fiber, garlic, fish oil, and niacin. Just my two cents.

I too have read a lot of things that claim this. All very interesting. The studies that claim cholesterol is such a menace to our hearts are full of holes. Statins have done nothing to reduce CHD. And... lately sat fats are getting some vindication too. THere's evidence that they're actually not at all dangerous to heart health... on the contrary.

Hooray for butter!

[ttdriver]

For what its worth, my own take on it is this:

Hype proliferated by drug companies to sell billion dollar drugs.

Who worried about cholesterol in our grandparents' generation?

Betty

[sallyseachange]

Originally Posted by ttdriver

For what its worth, my own take on it is this:

Hype proliferated by drug companies to sell billion dollar drugs.

Who worried about cholesterol in our grandparents' generation?

Betty

Too right!!

[Lulubell]

i just had to link this... from today's yahoo headlines:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070119/...cholesterol_dc


the last line of the story cracks me up... "ya think?!?!!??"