I’ve been doing keto for a few months with great results. Then I went to the Dr… My blood sugars had been running slightly up 100 - 119 range. Last a1c was 5.7. Again, just starting to nudge into the not good areas. So, I tell my doc I have been doing this and he says great that should help your numbers. My cholesterol numbers have always been some where in the 200’s but HDL and triglycerides were always pretty good. Also, for the past few years my hemoglobin has been low12 range and could not figure out why. Thus, my blood work comes back and states - hemoglobin 13.9, A1c 5.6, total cholesterol 433, LDL 359, HDL 74, Triglycerides 87.
So, doc and I freak out about the cholesterol numbers a bit. I modify my diet to more lean meats and no dairy. I test again in 3 weeks and : hemoglobin back to 12.1, total cholesterol 355, LDL 283, HDL 60, triglycerides 62, A1c 5.6. So, the numbers came down quite a bit for just 3 weeks. Then I arrange for a coronary artery calcium test and that comes back at 0.8% a phenomenal score at my age of 64. Arteries are clean. Then, I come upon reading Dave Feldman and info about hyper responders. Am I just a case of being a hyper responder? It has been hard to figure out the correct way to eat.It remains challenging. I’m looking for opinions on these numbers and how to eat going forward. Also, I have never been willing to go on a statin so far. More blood work scheduled for early Dec. and the doc wants me on a statin. Opinions?
Please help interpret my numbers - new here
I’m no doctor but as I understand it A1C (actually fasting insulin) and your Gg / HDL ration are the critical markers CVD.
Suggest Ivor Cummings for all the details LDL is a weak marker.
Your experience much like mine; switched to Keto 3 years ago and avoided docs since. Finally got blood panels done and LDL / Total Chol through the roof though triglycerides and HDL are super, fasting insulin great, HOMA-IR wonderful. Got the CAC after listening to Ivor Cummings and have a 4; went to the MESA database and entered everything and it’s showing a very low probability of CVD over the next 10 years. That said. I have started cutting back on fatty meats, gone to olive oil and avocado oil over butter (though still do some of that), increased fish oil intake along with fish. Looking forward to getting new panel done since I’ve now been making these changes for about 8 weeks. Your response looks good…as for whether LDL should be a worry with the rest of your stats, I’m no doc but I’m not worrying about mine (though I may end up in a bit of an argument with my doc since my numbers and weight and age shriek “statins!” and I’m not doing 'em…we’ll see.) FWIW I’m 62 and female, also obese though working on that (have lost 25 pounds on keto but stalled for many months; doubling down now on diet and beginning to do lifting.)
Your serum cholesterol can really go crazy during the first six months of KETO especially if you’re losing a lot of fat. It will usually start coming back in order after that. Your A1c has dropped, so that’s good. Triglycerides are good. I would suggest waiting a few months between tests. The A1c is a three month average. Give your body a chance to adjust before getting worried. Your CAC score is excellent as you noted so no reason to get stressed about this at all. Stay off statins.
