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Quiet, pre-Super Bowl time. Just enough time to journal that I got my bloodwork back on Friday and am rather happy about it.
No, it's not "perfect," but my total cholesterol and LDL have improved significantly. At this point, my doctor will just re-test in another 6 months rather than setting up a near-emergency appointment to get me in the office! Over the last 6 months when I've been in Maintenance, TC dropped by 62 points and LDL dropped by 68. My HDL, already very, very good, improved yet another 6 points. And my triglycerides, already quite low/good, stayed the same.
The HUGE takeaway lesson from this is that the phenomenon that Phinney & Volek write about was TRUE for me!!! They wrote that if a person loses 30 or more pounds, the fat cells begin to dump out their cholesterol and this can result in a spike in TC and, particularly, in the LDL fragment. They did a small study some time back where they first saw this and have continued to see this in practice. They suggest that once one stabilizes in Maintenance, a person's blood lipid values should return to their new "normal" range.
It appears that's what mine have done. I'm almost back at the values I've averaged over the last 10-15 years in TC and LDL (better in the other values).
My LDL, and therefore my TC, may also continue to be overstated, as the typical formula used to compute LDL for basic blood tests does not track well with true LDL when one's triglycerides are over 400.....or UNDER 100! That last issue is not well known, but again, Phinney & Volek have highlighted this. My trigs have been running in the mid-60's while on low-carb.
The reason I'm journaling these issues is because they can happen when one is consistently losing weight beyond 30 pounds. In my own case, my last blood test was taken as I was nearing 90 pounds down, still losing at the rate of about a half- to one pound per week.
I've read a lot about cholesterol and weight loss and there's still a whole lot I don't know. But, it pays to try to be educated on these issues...let's face it....how many people does a typical GP or PA see who've lost substantial amounts of weight???? It only makes sense that they just might not know some of the unique, quirky issues we face. Had I not done some preliminary reading, I might well have accepted statin therapy 6 months ago for a "problem" that really did not exist...a "problem" that would rectify itself naturally once in Maintenance.
Diet Calendar Entries for 03 February 2013:
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1286 kcal
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Fat: 84.95g | Prot: 91.80g | Carb: 48.27g.
Breakfast: chia seeds (bulk), Pieces & Stems Mushrooms, Kraft shredded colby jack cheese, egg, Breakfast Chicken Sausage. Lunch: Kraft light raspberry vinaigrette, chopped walnuts, chicken, baby spinach, strawberries. Snacks/Other: Atkins Endulge nutty fudge brownie, Jif crunchy peanut butter. more...
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1735 kcal
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Activities & Exercise:
Resting - 16 hours, Sleeping - 8 hours. more...
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 Comments
04 Feb 13 by member: moondove
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Very interesting reflection. Thanks for taking time and sharing it.
04 Feb 13 by member: liv001
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Congrats on that blood work! BTW I've been negligent on getting that promised cholesterol info to you but if you Google "fluffy LDL" you'll probably get a hit. I went off my meds in October and have an upcoming test. Depending on the results, I may request that new test (and hope my insurance will pay for it).
04 Feb 13 by member: BuffyBear
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Sandy, thanks for all this info! I just went last Thurs, will get the results next week. My triglycerides in the past have been very high though now in researching I find that being on HRT can do that. Now that I'm no longer taking the hormones and have lost weight it's going to be very interesting to see where I am. Had to quite Lipitor as I couldn't stand the aching legs, will now be armed with your information and should do even more to see what all effects cholesterol.
You done good, give yourself a pat on the back.
04 Feb 13 by member: Sunkeeper
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Awww thats great news on the blood work..it pays to lose thats for sure...My sister lost over 50 pounds and got off her blood pressure meds etc..she is soo happy...Thanks for the info..on how things go with the losses...it all makes sense..Proud of you..and happy dancing that your blood work came back that well...Yippee...:O)
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Wow, super news! Navagating all the info out there on cholesterol is a daunting task, I am so happy for you & proud of you too! A little happy dancing is in order for sure....have fun!
04 Feb 13 by member: gg-girl
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Great news, Sandy. Middle sis went to the doctor last year and was told she was going to need to start taking cholesterol lowering medicine. She had been an avid WW follower for YEARS, but didn't want to take those medicines if she didn't need to. She talked her doctor into letting her try a low carb lifestyle for 3 months, then retesting and seeing what would happen. She went back and ALL her levels were well within the normal range, AND she lost 30 pounds in 3 months, her energy levels skyrocketed and she felt better than she has in a long time. Needless to say, her doctor was gobsmacked and told her to continue what she was doing! Glad that your levels have dropped back down...it makes us feel so good when we get tangible evidence that what we are doing is working. Have a great week! HUGS!!
04 Feb 13 by member: ctlss
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Thanks for stopping by Cheryl. Have a good week!
05 Feb 13 by member: Sandy701
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Nice to see you Liv001. I've enjoyed many of your posts and responses to people.
05 Feb 13 by member: Sandy701
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Buffy, yes, I expect that the LDL I do have are the big, fluffy guys! But I would definitely request the other tests prior to going on any kind of drug for cholesterol-lowering. FOR ME ONLY, I'm not convinced that cholesterol is the big, bad monster, as its currently portrayed by the mainstream medical establishment.
05 Feb 13 by member: Sandy701
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Hi Sunkeeper....good luck on those results! There's a fair amount of good info on the net about cholesterol and low carb. Be sure to so some searching on statins and women too, if your doctor wants them back in your future. Like many medical issues, we often have to be proactive and discuss things with our heath care people.
05 Feb 13 by member: Sandy701
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Thanks Bren. It's great when a study is born out by actual results. Truly, 6 months ago, I was floored when I saw the TC and LDL numbers! They were exceptionally high, when the entire rationale for Atkins would say they should be normal or lower. I was completely at a loss as to why the results came out that way....although, of course, the HDL and trigs behaved the way I expected. Anyway, had I not come across that reference and study in one of the books, I'd never have been able to take some concrete explanation as to what happened into my doctor's office. And, I think it was that information that made him adjust his recommendations for me, going forward. I think we talked about this before that drugs are just fine in the right circumstances, but if there's a way to avoid them, then that's what we'll do. Hope you have a warmer week this week.
05 Feb 13 by member: Sandy701
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GG, all the cholesterol info can make your head swim! I find myself taking forever just reading through one paragraph at a time asking myself if a statement is really true....does it follow from what's been presented....how would I look at the data, etc. Makes me wish I were a biochemist.
05 Feb 13 by member: Sandy701
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Hey Sandy - even the Biochemists seem confused!
05 Feb 13 by member: BuffyBear
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Stef that's fantastic news for your sister! I can only imagine how that doctor's face must have looked when he first saw the blood test results! Not only is it a lot cheaper to NOT be taking medications, I think it's also easier for a doctor to diagnose a problem if he/she doesn't also have to take into account the side-effects of all the medications one is on. So glad things are going so well for her. Hope you have a warm, HEALTHY(!!!) week!
05 Feb 13 by member: Sandy701
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Buffy...how true! But maybe if I knew all the terms readily, I might be able to read faster - LOL!
05 Feb 13 by member: Sandy701
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Sandy, you crack me up! I can read the stuff, I just don't really think I comprehend it. I mean, I kind of say, yeah, that makes sense, but I don't Really Get It.
05 Feb 13 by member: gg-girl
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GG, sometimes I'm not too sure either, but I just keep on reading, and re-reading. Then sometimes, I fall asleep. :)
05 Feb 13 by member: Sandy701
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