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  • #1

    Question about blood work

    So I had blood work done the other day. I've been on Atkins off and on for a couple of years and I had blood work done about a year ago but I don't remember what it was (I plan on saving these results). Anyway here's the results.
    Thyroid: TSH 1.97
    Total cholesterol 153
    Triglycerides 52
    HDL "Good cholesterol" 43
    LDL "bad cholesterol" 100
    HDL Ratio 3.6
    Anyway on the bottom she wrote a note that says "All labs were very good."
    What worries me is the bad cholesterol numbers. It said normal range is below 100 so isn't it a little high?
    This is the first time that I decided to pay attention to these numbers so just trying to understand
    Thanks!
    My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four. Unless there are three other people.
    ~Orson Welles




    Everytime I am tempted to use food to satisfy my frustrated desires, build up my injured ego, or dull my senses, I will remember,
    That even though I overeat in private, my excess poundage is there for all the world to see.
    ------------------------------------------------------------

    "Eating like most people won't, so I can look like most people don't."
    Tags: blood, question, work
  • #2
    Re: Question about blood work

    Your LDL level is in the near optimal level (100-129). I would be concerned about your HDL level. Optimal is greater than 60, under 40 is considered poor for males, under 50 is poor for females. If you want to raise this number, niacin supplements, increased fiber, cardio, and quitting smoking are the way to do it. I raised mine from 29 to 37 in two months, and I'm obviously hoping for more. Everything else looks great!
    "...Health and fitness are more than just personal goals - they're gifts we give to the people around us. Being fit and feeling on top of our game will ensure that we're there for the people who rely on us. It will make us better fathers, husbands, friends, lovers... and yes, even better sons." -David Zinczenko -Mens Health Magazine
    39M/Married with two wonderful kids
    Mini goal #1 - 225 1/16/2010
    Mini goal #2 - Stick with this WOE until 1/31/10
    Mini goal #3 - 214 No longer obese
    Mini goal #4 - Stick with this WOE until 2/28/10
    Mini goal #5 - Stick with this WOE until 3/31/10
    Mini goal #6 - 199
    Mini goal #7 - Survive Easter on plan
    Mini goal #8 - Stick with this WOE until 6/30/10

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Question about blood work

      Good job on the numbers!

      Even with a bad cholesterol of exactly 100, it's not too bad. You'll just need to lower it a bit.

      tfek is right about the HDL being a bit low. What's your exercise plan like?
      ~Megs~
      242/141/160 (130)
      dress size 26/10/8
      5'4", Female, May 2, 2003
      My blog:
      http://mformiscellaneous.blogspot.com/

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Question about blood work

        I raised my HDL from 26 to 78 just by eating a lot of fat, including lots more extra virgin olive oil, olives, avocado, salmon and nuts (monounsaturates). I have blood work done every 90 days, so I was able to track how much increase I had in HDL by starting the considerable increase in monounsaturates right after having blood drawn. My HDL went from 46 to 78 in that 90 days. For that 90 days, I ate homemade guacamole, tapenade (black olive paste) and/or black olives at every meal. All my salad dressings had olive oil in them. My doctor was very impressed, as was I.
        People who say it can't be done, should not interrupt those doing it.


        "Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; While others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous efforts than ever before."
        ~~Herodotus


        Doin' the "Real Deal" Atkins 2002 since 9/15/2005
        Sunny's Secrets: My Journal



        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Question about blood work

          Thanks guys. It says on my sheet that normal range for HDL is greater then 40.
          Thanks for the tips on increasing it. I do consume quite a bit of olive oil.
          I may consider niacin suppliments. Fiber never seems to be a problem either.
          Sunny, I love olives but was concerned about sodium so I've been limiting them. I would love an excuse to eat more
          Would the same tips for increasing HDL also help to lower the LDL?
          I was going to ask how often I should get rechecked. Should I get check every 90 days?
          My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four. Unless there are three other people.
          ~Orson Welles




          Everytime I am tempted to use food to satisfy my frustrated desires, build up my injured ego, or dull my senses, I will remember,
          That even though I overeat in private, my excess poundage is there for all the world to see.
          ------------------------------------------------------------

          "Eating like most people won't, so I can look like most people don't."

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Question about blood work

            Susan, I saw above 40 being normal for everyone too, but another site that I went to said that estrogen increases HDL so that women should shoot for 50. I'm trying to get mine as high as possible. I guess I'll up my monosaturated fat levels like SunnySmile did.
            "...Health and fitness are more than just personal goals - they're gifts we give to the people around us. Being fit and feeling on top of our game will ensure that we're there for the people who rely on us. It will make us better fathers, husbands, friends, lovers... and yes, even better sons." -David Zinczenko -Mens Health Magazine
            39M/Married with two wonderful kids
            Mini goal #1 - 225 1/16/2010
            Mini goal #2 - Stick with this WOE until 1/31/10
            Mini goal #3 - 214 No longer obese
            Mini goal #4 - Stick with this WOE until 2/28/10
            Mini goal #5 - Stick with this WOE until 3/31/10
            Mini goal #6 - 199
            Mini goal #7 - Survive Easter on plan
            Mini goal #8 - Stick with this WOE until 6/30/10

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Question about blood work

              You could rinse the salty olives in water. Or you can marinate them. I read a Spanish tapas recipe where you marinate olives in olive oil, lemon peel, garlic, pepper, etc. That would probably remove some of the excess salt.

              Plus you'll end up with a flavored olive oil you can use in salad dressings.
              ~Megs~
              242/141/160 (130)
              dress size 26/10/8
              5'4", Female, May 2, 2003
              My blog:
              http://mformiscellaneous.blogspot.com/

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Question about blood work

                Originally posted by susan423 View Post
                Thanks guys. It says on my sheet that normal range for HDL is greater then 40.
                Thanks for the tips on increasing it. I do consume quite a bit of olive oil.
                I may consider niacin suppliments. Fiber never seems to be a problem either.
                Sunny, I love olives but was concerned about sodium so I've been limiting them. I would love an excuse to eat more
                Would the same tips for increasing HDL also help to lower the LDL?
                I was going to ask how often I should get rechecked. Should I get check every 90 days?
                I don't eat a lot of green olives, which are very high in sodium, I like the canned black olives, which have way less sodium.

                A combination of eating these foods and exercise will usually lower (oops edit to change that to LDL) LDL cholesterol.

                I have blood work done every 90 days due to a disorder that I have and the medications I have to take for it. They just happen to test everything when they do labs. My lab work costs almost $2,000 a pop, so unless it is absolutely required, insurance won't pay. With your good numbers, you probably should only need it done once a year.
                Last edited by SunnySmile501; April 8, 2009, 01:57 PM.
                People who say it can't be done, should not interrupt those doing it.


                "Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; While others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous efforts than ever before."
                ~~Herodotus


                Doin' the "Real Deal" Atkins 2002 since 9/15/2005
                Sunny's Secrets: My Journal



                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Question about blood work

                  Originally posted by SunnySmile501 View Post
                  I don't eat a lot of green olives, which are very high in sodium, I like the canned black olives, which have way less sodium.

                  A combination of eating these foods and exercise will usually lower HDL cholesterol.

                  I have blood work done every 90 days due to a disorder that I have and the medications I have to take for it. They just happen to test everything when they do labs. My lab work costs almost $2,000 a pop, so unless it is absolutely required, insurance won't pay. With your good numbers, you probably should only need it done once a year.
                  I didn't realize green olives had more sudium. I absolutely hate green olives but I love the black olives in a can so that's good news
                  I was thinking that once a year should be enough but when you mentioed every 90 days I thought I should ask and be sure
                  Thanks so much.
                  My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four. Unless there are three other people.
                  ~Orson Welles




                  Everytime I am tempted to use food to satisfy my frustrated desires, build up my injured ego, or dull my senses, I will remember,
                  That even though I overeat in private, my excess poundage is there for all the world to see.
                  ------------------------------------------------------------

                  "Eating like most people won't, so I can look like most people don't."

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Question about blood work

                    Originally posted by not2late View Post
                    You could rinse the salty olives in water. Or you can marinate them. I read a Spanish tapas recipe where you marinate olives in olive oil, lemon peel, garlic, pepper, etc. That would probably remove some of the excess salt.

                    Plus you'll end up with a flavored olive oil you can use in salad dressings.
                    Wow! That sounds awesome. Will be trying that soon.
                    My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four. Unless there are three other people.
                    ~Orson Welles




                    Everytime I am tempted to use food to satisfy my frustrated desires, build up my injured ego, or dull my senses, I will remember,
                    That even though I overeat in private, my excess poundage is there for all the world to see.
                    ------------------------------------------------------------

                    "Eating like most people won't, so I can look like most people don't."

                    Comment

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