Cholestrol levels through the roof after 1 week

[futurerancher]

As some of you know I have been posting and working with some other folks on the "Atkinites" thread as we are trying to support each other. However, I wanted to post something here to try and get a feeling for everyones opinion. The day before I started Atkins I went to the doc and had a bunch of blood taked to do a general checkup. I got the results from that yesterdayand everything was great. Today as part of Wellness event, I had my cholesterol and glucose checked for free with the pin prick method and auto tester. The woman who administered it has found it to be very accurate. So here are my levels the day before Atkins and one week into Atkins.

1st Test
11/9/07
TC=179
HDL=41
TRG=142
LDL=110
TC/HDL= 4.37

2nd Test
11/15/07
TC=287
HDL=33
TRG=178
LDL=218
TC/HDL=8.7

I was blown away today as I honestly couldn't believe my levels were that high. I wouldn't have checked them today but it was free and I happened to be there anyway so I thought what the heck. How could my numbers increase that much in that short of time? Especially since one of the side effects of doing Atkins is to lower you overall cholestrol levels. It looks like mine have skyrocketed into the dangerzone. It is especially frustrating as before I started this I was awful to my body and was completely hooked on anything high carb/high sat fat.

Is it possible for your levels to increase by this much that quickly? I am so pissed right now because I am starting to turn the corner and am feeling better with greater energy and now I may have to give it up to go back to bingeing to lower my cholesterol levels! AHH.

I am hoping that it might be some sort of mistake. If there was a mistake my guess would have been that it was on the Hospitals side where I first went. How can my levels be that good considering that I am 60# overwheight and while eating an awful diet. I am tired of going to the Docs to give blood as #1 I hate needles to the point that even in the event of a disaster I probably wouldn't give blood (I have tried) as it really wigs me out along with the fact that my veins don't give blood easily and it takes forever. #2 it kind of starts to add up $ wise. What do you all think I should do? I am going to stay the course for a while but this has got me freaked a little.

[kate58]

Re: Cholestrol levels through the roof after 1 week

First of all I'd be more inclined to believe the hospital levels - with tests done in a lab - than the results from a machine. Secondly, Dr Atkins said somewhere, can't recall exactly where just now, that there is sometimes a transient rise in the blood fats profile before they settle and improve.

How can my levels be that good considering that I am 60# overwheight

I would not be surprised by that at all, lots of overweight people have normal bloods, especially younger people. A lot of it is down to genetic tendancy.

Another thing is that is it not always wise to compare tests taken in different ways - so I would recommend waiting a week or so, then returning to the doc and having your tests run again. That way you are comparing like with like.

[julirama723]

Re: Cholestrol levels through the roof after 1 week

It's also recommended that you wait until you've been on Atkins for 6 weeks before getting a lipid profile done.

[futurerancher]

Re: Cholestrol levels through the roof after 1 week

THanks for the info, I am going to stick with this. I was doing some reading today and it also advises that you have to fast 12 hours before a lipid test. About 30 minutes before I mine I had 4 mini sausages and 2 slices of bacon. Perhaps that caused the skew...(I hope)

[julirama723]

Re: Cholestrol levels through the roof after 1 week

Do stick with it. Remember, on Atkins, your body is burning fat for fuel, so the fat we eat is neccessary! It's just like putting gas in your car.

[jimmyolsenblues]

Re: Cholestrol levels through the roof after 1 week

remember to eat your veggies:
You should eat 12-15 net carbs a day of vegetables. These salad vegetables are high in phytonutrients and provide a good source of fiber:

http://www.atkins.com/articles/atkins-phases/phase-one/acceptable-foods/

[Einy]

Re: Cholestrol levels through the roof after 1 week

Cholesterol levels are not necessary a function of your weight, it can be genetic and may depend on your eating habits. I am 280 lbs, about 90lbs overweight my cholesterol is 162 (normal level is 100-199), my triglycerides is 147 (normal levels 0-149), HDL is 54 and LDL is 79.

[hrgillespie]

Re: Cholestrol levels through the roof after 1 week

I had to laught at the eating sausages and bacon just 30 min before the test ........ yes that would totally screw up all your numbers ......... LOL that alone is enough for me to tell you not to worry at all! If it really bothers you wait about 2-3 more weeks and then go get tested again after a 12 hour fast ........... I bet you'll be suprised at what you see.


Heidi

[sallyseachange]

Re: Cholestrol levels through the roof after 1 week

Don't panic. Your levels will go up before they go down. You need to wait at least six weeks after starting Atkins before re-testing. Also it's definitely necessary to fast for 12 hours before taking the test.