Results from physical-help

[jcapulet]

I got some surprising results after taking a full medical. My cholesterol is medium high (5.2 I think). I honestly thought my cholesterol would be normal (???). Been on Atkins for 2-3 months now

The most surprising, but not as serious, was that my blood iron is low. I cannot figure out how that happened since I'm eating an iron rich diet.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Results from physical-help

It takes about 6 months for your blood results to show a change.

Maybe YOU aren't eating an iron rich diet. YOU may also have different iron needs ... YOU might metabolize iron differently.

If you want to check out iron rich foods, you can look here:

Nutrient Data Products and Services

[jcapulet]

Re: Results from physical-help

Thanks Atkinsgal. I'll be looking up some more iron rich foods...might start making that broccoli quiche I used to make.

I haven't had a physical in years...so it could be that my cholesterol might be lowering, just not low enough yet. Hopefully I'll see some better results in another 3 months (next phys. scheduled).

Forgot to mention the doc said there were a lot of ketones in my pee...rofl that is good news

[liv]

Re: Results from physical-help

Did your doctor break it down for you in LDL HDL etc?

My iron is always low. The only way I get enough is with supplements even on Atkins. This is because of heavy blod flow in my periods in my situation.

[jcapulet]

Re: Results from physical-help

Did your doctor break it down for you in LDL HDL etc?

My iron is always low. The only way I get enough is with supplements even on Atkins. This is because of heavy blod flow in my periods in my situation.

Hi Liv. She did break it down, but I don't remember the numbers. I should have asked for a copy of my results I'll call her tomorrow to request one.

My TOM is mainly all in one day (yuck), so my iron levels probably aren't low from that. But I read vitamin C helps iron absorb more efficiently...so i'm eating some raspberries when I take my iron pill tonight.

[imagood1]

Re: Results from physical-help

I started Atkins in January and have had horrible lipid panel numbers for the past 5 years. 3 months ago when I had my blood work done my LDL had gone up!!! UP not down....I was so upset. I had another round of blood work last week.....everything was low. It may just take you longer - like it did me. Not everyone's cholesterol numbers go down immediately -- there are some of us who have to wait and work harder to get the numbers where we want them.

Are you using Fitday or some other program that keeps track of your minerals and vitamins on a daily basis? You may not be getting as much iron daily as you think you are. I keep a list of iron rich foods on my fridge and try to make sure I eat something daily that keeps my iron levels up.

Good luck -- give the plan a little longer -- I'm sure you'll get your numbers in order soon!!

[LageNomAi]

Re: Results from physical-help

I started Atkins in January and have had horrible lipid panel numbers for the past 5 years. 3 months ago when I had my blood work done my LDL had gone up!!! UP not down....I was so upset. I had another round of blood work last week.....everything was low. It may just take you longer - like it did me. Not everyone's cholesterol numbers go down immediately -- there are some of us who have to wait and work harder to get the numbers where we want them.

Are you using Fitday or some other program that keeps track of your minerals and vitamins on a daily basis? You may not be getting as much iron daily as you think you are. I keep a list of iron rich foods on my fridge and try to make sure I eat something daily that keeps my iron levels up.

Good luck -- give the plan a little longer -- I'm sure you'll get your numbers in order soon!!

Carole, congrats on your cholesterol numbers! I remember you mentioning this when I posted a concern about my numbers all going up (the good AND the bad), so that's great that they've now come down.

I'm going to get bloodwork at some point again, probably in the future, and am hoping for better results. I'll also be a perfect test case to settle the debate over eggs and cholesterol since I eat so many, LOL.

[jcapulet]

Re: Results from physical-help

Hi Carole, thanks for your reply. I plan to stay on Atkins for sure. My cholesterol has probably been high for quite some time, so it will probably take longer like you said. Haven't had a physical in several years, so I don't have any numbers to compare.

I'll try Fitday to check my vitamins and minerals...thanks for the tip! I never thought of that for vitamins.

[soon2bslim]

Re: Results from physical-help

Is your iron exceptionally low that your doc was concerned? I don't know if they did a differential w/ your blood count but i believe that unless your MCH (or possibly MCV -can't remember off the top of my head) is low than it is probably not diet related. Is this new 4 u or has your iron always been on the low side? If it is at a level that your doc is concerned he will probably want 2 run more tests (blood and others too). Usually if it is just below normal an the rest of the blood count is fine, they'll just keep an eye on it.

[jcapulet]

Re: Results from physical-help

Is your iron exceptionally low that your doc was concerned? I don't know if they did a differential w/ your blood count but i believe that unless your MCH (or possibly MCV -can't remember off the top of my head) is low than it is probably not diet related. Is this new 4 u or has your iron always been on the low side? If it is at a level that your doc is concerned he will probably want 2 run more tests (blood and others too). Usually if it is just below normal an the rest of the blood count is fine, they'll just keep an eye on it.

Hi Soon2bslim, she said my red blood cell count was ok; and that I was not anemic. She said though that my blood iron is low and prescribed iron pills for me to take every day. The low iron issue is new to me, I haven't had this problem in the past. Although, my last physical was probably 4 years ago so I don't have any recent numbers to compare.