Is it time to make changes? Lipid panel is alarming

newbies
ldl
#1

Hi all!
I’ve been reading posts at this forum for quite some time, but have finally decided to post!

I’ve been on the ketogenic diet since February of this year. I’ve lost about 20lbs and am maintaining at my ideal weight.

I had blood work and a lipid panel done recently and am concerned about my results. Chem/CBC all nsf, but my lipid panel of course alarmed my physician. Is it time for me to change?

As a note, I tend to have coffee and heavy cream in the morning, a handful of almonds/nuts in the afternoon, and dinner in the evening which is some protein (meat, eggs), cheese and some veggies if they’re around. The diet has dramatically reduced my hunger for the most part so I’m “almost” OMAD, but I admit that it’s not a “huge” meal.

Alpha lipoprotein = 32.1 umol/l (HDL-P)
Beta subparticle lipoprotein = 21.4 no (LDL size)
Beta subparticle lipoprotein = 1911nmol/L (LDL-P)
Cholesterol = 268 mg/dL
HDL = 69 mg/dL
LDL = 192 mg/dL
Lipoprotein insulin resistance <25
Small LDL-P = 606 nmol/L
Trigycerides = 97 mg/dL

Any insight is greatly appreciated. I know my diabetes risk is low, but my cardiac risk may be higher.

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

Others much more knowledgeable will soon show up to respond in detail. From what I know the most important number re CVD risk is the ratio of Tricglycerides/HDL. In your case: 97/67 = 1.4 and I think that is probably in the neighbourhood of as good as it gets. While awaiting more info, you can edify yourself here:

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #3

The “evidence” that cholesterol causes cardiovascular disease is tenuous. There is actually a fair amount of evidence to suggest that higher cholesterol is associated with lower cardiovascular risk.

Your numbers actually look pretty decent. The main concern is your ratio of triglycerides to HDL, which is well below 2.0. This indicates that your cardiovascular risk is very low, and that your LDL particles fall into the healthy Pattern A.

How is your other bloodwork? If your HbA1C is healthy, and your markers of inflammation (white blood cells, ferritin, C-reactive protein, etc.) are also good, then you are in fine health and need not worry.

If you are still concerned, the best assessment of your cardiovascular condition is a CAC (coronary arterial calcium) scan, which will measure the amount of calcification of your coronary arteries and will provide some assessment of your risk over the next five to ten years. I suspect that if you have one done, you will be pleasantly surprised by the results.

#4

I see nothing alarming about what you’ve listed. The total is a little high and LDL isn’t ideal but far from scary. You’ve been eating keto for 6mo and still loosing weight so your numbers aren’t going to be great. When your weight stabilizes, give it 3mo or so, then test.