What numbers to test for?

#1

I’m getting ready to start keto for my third and final time.

The past two times have been somewhat of a “lazy keto” and I’ve been able to stay on board for about 3-4 months before some kind of something comes along and knocks me off course. I’m very much a numbers guy, and so I’m going to take advantage of a work benefit (I work for a hospital) and schedule monthly visits with blood work. My thought is that seeing the hard numbers each month along with the standing doctor visits will serve as motivation to stay on track.

I know and trust my practitioner and while he’s not completely aware of Keto, he’s definitely open to it. (Maybe I can convince him to try it himself!)

My question is: what numbers should I be testing and tracking? Are there any “stumbling blocks” that hang people up that I shouldn’t worry about?

If I’ve posted this in the wrong forum, please let me know and I’ll re-post.

(Jana) #2

What ‘numbers’ work for me are weight and inches lost. Ask yourself what has drawn you to keto?

Numbers for me are a secondary side effect. My blood work was outstanding before I started. But I’m drawn to keto to stop the insanity of yo-yo dieting. I have lost about 100 lbs three times in my life. I’m also wanting to stabilize my insulin for the rest of my life, and to prevent cognitive decline. What holds my ‘feet to the fire’ is the lure of optimal wellness, the crisp clarity of mind and the increasing vitality. At 68 I feel and look younger than I did 10 years ago.

I started LCHF 10 months ago, switching to keto a month later. I have no doubt that I will stay LCHF/Keto and never go back to the SAD.

Even if you don’t connect with keto this third time, there may be health issues down the road that bring you back to considering keto. Then it may resonate deep within your being and be more than a numbers attraction.

Best wishes

(Vincent Hall) #3

For sure get a baseline of everything before you start again.
I wish I had done this as I don’t know if my numbers were high before I started LCHF.
\v/

(Jana) #4

Vincent
What ARE the tests besides the usual ones? I was wanting someone to answer that question myself.

I agree with you. The only A-1C test I’ve had in the last 10 years was three months into LCHF/Keto. It was 4.8. So I don’t have a baseline either. I have to know what these tests are before my annual checkup next month.

(Vincent Hall) #5

Jana,
Im no expert, but here is a a list that I wish I had run before I started.
https://www.medichecks.com/health-checks/essential-blood-test?gclid=Cj0KCQjwtZzWBRD2ARIsAIPenY0A2J39NkBDp5zJ6V905ZkAeYQxkExewYmGMBb48r8pZJy3-bsnLmYaAlKYEALw_wcB
The only extra I would like to on top of this is a fully comprehensive lipid cholesterol test.
But I say this as I’m having a few problems which I don’t know are down to my new way of eating or I had them before or just bad test procedures.
\v/