I had my dr’s appt today. I did not realize how little he was testing. I thought it would be a mirror of the last blood test, so I’m a little disappointed. (He scheduled more blood work for 6 months.)
He was happy with my cholesterol numbers even though one was up. This stuff really confuses me. Any added insight is greatly appreciated.
This is all it shows online:
He gave me this printout in the office:
I am actually shocked that your doctor thinks your cholesterol numbers look good. It just shows how brainwashed they are to only react to ‘high’ number, but you very, very low HDL is much more worrisome than any high number would be.
Low HDL is serious. I’d ask for a retest in the hope that HDL was a lab error. If not, you need to see if there are any ways to raise your HDL.
I think that was the number he indicated was low (I said up instead, sorry for the confusion). He feels that will improve so he’s not worried.
Also, just researching now to raise HDL, I’m thinking I should take a fish oil supplement. I don’t eat a lot (if any) of the foods that would raise HDL.
Hard to picture what you are eating if you are keto and your HDL is that low. Are you avoiding animal products?
If you eat good quality saturated fats, that will raise your HDL. If you want a simple way to look at your cholesterol goals, you want ratio of triglycerides to HDL to be 2:1 or lower. Your ratio is well over 4:1, which should be a flag to your doctor, but of course he/she is probably not looking at that.
I eat a lot of beef, chicken, sausage, bacon…etc. I don’t eat fish generally. I do use olive oil, coconut oil, butter, and recently picked up avocado oil (I don’t like avocado’s though).
Well, that certainly sounds like you are eating enough animal fats. All I can say is to keep working to lower your insulin resistance. KCKO
You aren’t on cholesterol lowering medication are you? Dumb question, I know, since you would have mentioned it.
Do you remember what your HDL was last time? Any chance it could be an error?
No cholesterol medications. The only thing I’m taking at this point (besides supplements) is an allergy pill and zoloft, which I talked to him about getting off of it today. He had me start taking it back in December due to some other issues. While I do believe it helped me, I also believe I no longer need it.
I believe this is the first time my cholesterol was ever tested. Not sure if it could have been an error. I have a “lab card” and it was sent away to a “cheap” lab (I suspect). Requirement of my insurance, but when they forget to do that I get the information online, which I much prefer.
I will KCKO. I’m enjoying the journey way too much. I will request another test for cholesterol in the future. I’ll do what I can in the meantime to increase HDL on my own.
Thanks for all the help.
