Eating/Fasting/Supplements before lab work?

(Robin) #1

Hello Neato Ketos! I will be having bloodwork done day after tomorrow. This will be my first since going keto in June. I now take supplements (Mag, D3-K2, Potassium, C, and CoQ-10). And I usually eat in a four hour time frame and well under 15 carbs. I usually fast for a couple days once or twice a month, just to keep things interesting.Should I continue with no change before bloodwork? Or should I feast or fast? Supplements?

(Bob M) #2

If you’re concerned about “cholesterol”, keep your eating stable for at least three days before your test, and do NOT fast those days. Fasting raises TC, LDL, trigs, and lowers HDL.

If you’re really concerned about your cholesterol, you could try the Feldman protocol:

Note: this just manipulates the numbers on a test, and doesn’t change them.

(Robin) #3

Right. I want to know how I really am. What is actually going on, not manipulate the results. So I will just keep on trucking, without fasting. I do keto currently for weight loss (maintenance soon). No real medical issues, just old creaky bones. Thanks.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #4

We generally advise people to wait until the six-month mark before getting blood work done, so that things have a chance to settle. If your cholesterol numbers look at all wonky, be prepared to fight off a statin prescription. (Hint: your doctor has to provide it, because it’s the standard of care, but you don’t have to get it filled.)

(KCKO, KCFO 🥥) #5

Do not freak out if your LDL count goes up, that is very common.

It is a good idea to fast 12-14 hrs. only before getting blood work done.
I take my supplements as usual. Your list as well as Fish oil and aged garlic, doesn’t seem to be an issue for me. You never know until you try it.

(Robin) #6

I was started on a statin when my journey began. I plan to drop it now that I have lost substantial weight and well adjusted to keto. I am not a statins fan, but at the time I needed a jump start to get things moving in a more positive direction. My doc will support whatever I do. He’s supportive of keto woe and will work with me. So this is to see where I am currently. Then in a few months I can check to see how I do off the statins… knowing some of the numbers will likely go up. But i now know which ratios are more important. So it will be interesting. No matter the results, I plan to drop statins. Especially since my CAC score was 32. At 66, I’m feeling very positive.