Did I really just make matters WORSE?

(Robin) #1

Ok. Keto for five months. (Lost 38 pounds now) Did lab work the day I started and another this week. Did I made things worse…?
Here’s my current numbers… just the main ones reported on phone message.
(Will get the full report. Here are my new numbers (with June numbers in parentheses… like this!).

Glucose 68 (from 84)
Total Cholesterol 324 (from 158) Expected, yes?)
Triglycerides 130 (from 119) Whoops?
LDL 248 (from 95) Scary, but also expected???
HDL 53 (from 41)

If I’m not mistaken, I should be looking at is the ratio between Triglycerides and HDL, yes? My doc suggests Lipitor.

(Michael - When reality fails to meet expectations, the problem is not reality.) #2

Before you panic, check out Dave Feldman:

(Edith) #3

It’s usually suggested to wait at least six months before blood testing to let everything settle down as your body adjusts to this new way of eating. Five months is close, but you may want to give it a few more months and test again. Your HDL certainly went in the right direction.

There are many threads discussing just this. You may want to read through them.

(Bacon is a many-splendoured thing) #4

It’s also important to fast the right amount of time, to get reliable results. And no coffee before the test, either, just water before heading over to the lab.

(Bob M) #5

I’m about to do an N=1 on this! I’ll post results. (Test: December 9th.)

#6

I had labs about 5ish months into keto and experienced a big jump in cholesterol too. My primary Dr was concerned but my keto/weight loss Dr said wait it out and repeat labs in a few months. I just got my results and they are fine. So, doing the math here, 11 months of keto resulted in all in range results for me. In my entire adult life, this is the first time I can say that. I did make a change though from several eggs a day to just several a week. Good luck.

(Bob M) #7

It is highly unlikely that changed anything. Your body just makes less cholesterol if it takes in cholesterol from food.

Don’t believe me? Try this:

Eat no eggs for one week, then eat tons of eggs for one week. See what happens. It’ll cost you $8.75 for each test.

(Robin) #8

I did all that.

(Robin) #9

THANKS SO MUCH! Just what I needed to hear. My gut says everything is good. I’m gonna stay the course. KCKO

(Robin) #10

Thanks. I just read some of the threads on this. Sounds like you are correct, I just need to keep on keeping on.

(Bacon is a many-splendoured thing) #11

Remember also, folks, that the evidence that cholesterol causes cardiovascular disease is seriously lacking. In fact there is evidence showing an inverse association between LDL and cardiovascular risk (i.e., the lower the LDL, the greater the risk), which is pretty conclusive evidence that cholesterol cannot be the cause of cardiovascular disease. The best that can be said is that some lipid numbers may serve as markers for cardiovascular risk, and it has not been shown that manipulating the markers affects the risk.

#12

Are you watching your macros or just eating stuff?

#13

That looks like an interesting company! Thanks for the link. I just thought i should add in the fact that I did make a small change to my diet. I just have been told to watch what I eat in the week leading up to a blood test so that I won’t get false results. It would be interesting to see if that is a true statement for me.

(Robin) #14

Will do, thanks!

(Robin) #15

I am strict keto, mostly carnivore… mostly meat. Couple eggs here and there and Boursin cheese (can’t remember who on here turned me on to that!!! OMG!) Heavy cream with my coffee, but only 2 cups in the morning. Sometimes a few veggies or full Greek yogurt for carbs. I take all the usual supplements. I keep close track. ALWAYS well under 20 g carb, then roughly 80 % fat, 20% protein.

(Robin) #16

My doc is open to keto and is learning along with me. My CAC scan was 32, I’m still losing weight, and I feel fabulous. So, I agree… I am going to wait another 6 months and recheck. And then whatever it is… that’s just me on keto. And I am NOT willing to give up on keto.

(UsedToBeT2D) #17

Keto is the best thing since sliced bread. Skip the bread.

(Michael - When reality fails to meet expectations, the problem is not reality.) #18

Look here:

#19

Are you eating enough? Not sure how you do 20% protein when doing mostly carnivore but really doesn’t matter either. I’d dial back the fat and see what happens. We can’t all eat a diet where 80% of it comes from fat and have good cholesterol levels. I’m one of them. But can’t figure that one out without tracking. I’m willing to bet your numbers start going back pretty quick with some tweaks.

(Robin) #20

You may be onto something. I think my calorie intake is probably too low. It’s been a while since I used a carb app. It did a good job of flagging when I ate too few calories, which is way too easy to do. And my protein has probably upped since I made the transition to mostly meat. I guess the only thing I know for sure is how many carbs I consume. So, thanks for that question. I’ll start tracking again to see where I’m at. Good call.