High Cholesterol Levels

[Mel Strong]

I have been on Atkins now since March 17 and have lost 9 pounds.

I just had blood work done and went to my Dr. yesterday and she was freaked out about my sudden skyrocketing cholesterol levels.
She was on the verge of putting me on meds. I told her it is because I am on the Atkins diet.

My cholesterol was 247.6 mg/dL last November.
Today it is 318.4 mg/dL

This is a very dangerous level to be at and really increases my risk of heart disease.
Anyone else having this experience???
I am very concerned.

[Georgiana]

An increase in cholesterol is normal when you go on a diet. On any diet. This is why Dr. Atkins recommended taking a blood test only when we are 6 months into the program. So for that reason alone, you should not worry, or at least not yet.

The number you gave is the total cholesterol, which doesn't say much. How did your HDL, LDL and triglycerides change?

[Mel Strong]

My current levels are
HDL 56mg/dL
LDL 230.4mg/dL
ratio 5.7
triglycerides 1.75mmol/L

my past levels were
HDL 48mg/dL
LDL 178mg/dL
triglycerides a bit lower but I don't have the number.

[Georgiana]

I'd say you should wait 6 months before testing again.

Here are a few threads that might help you:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...eral-help.html (Cholesteral Help)
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...-happened.html (Cholesterol is through the roof-what happened?)

[Georgiana]

Does your doctor give you the VLDL too? You might want to ask for that number when you're retesting.

[msanjelpie]

Being on the diet only 1 month would not cause your numbers to 'skyrocket'. Cholesterol takes a while to build up. I think it is a wake up call that this diet is REALLY needed for you at this time... You will be thrilled with your numbers at the next test...

[chinadoll]

Do you exercise? Exercise has made the biggest change in my choleresterol (for the better) but Atkins has actually brought my levels down after initially driving them up. I am now in the optimum range after four years of low carbing but I also work out at least 4 days a week.

[Mel Strong]

I don't know what VLDL is?
I do exercise three times a week 45 minutes lifting weights
and 30 minutes on the elliptical.

[msanjelpie]

VLDL stands for very low density lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are substances made of cholesterol, triglycerides, and proteins. They move cholesterol, triglycerides, and other lipids to different parts of the body.

There are three major types of lipoproteins. VLDL contains the highest amount of triglycerides. VLDL is considered a type of bad cholesterol, because it helps cholesterol build up on the walls of arteries.