Disappointing Cholesterol Results

doxielove · 12-22-2008, 05:39 PM

I haven't gotten the actual numbers yet, but there was a message on my voicemail today from my dr.'s office saying that my lipids were too high on recent bloodwork and they want me to pick up a prescription for Zocor. After four months of Atkins I really expected better cholesterol test results.

I have taken statin drugs before and after reading all the research on them and experiencing some bad side effects myself, I won't take them again. How can I eat low carb yet change my diet in order to help bring down my cholesterol levels? Obviously I can't add whole grains, so what's a person to do? Any help is greatly appreciated!

SweetPoison2 · 12-22-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doxielove

After four months of Atkins I really expected better cholesterol test results.

I thought the exact same thing! But, nope. I just got back my results as well. I had to start cholesterol meds!!!

But my doctor did state that LC is not the cause. She said she sees marathon runners with high cholesterol...

Go figure ~

FloridaShell · 12-22-2008, 05:51 PM

My cholesterol reading was the same as when I was eating everything in sight.

ixirockx · 12-22-2008, 06:15 PM

Just a question. Does anybody here think that high cholesterol is actually not bad. I thought it was only harmful if it was oxidized?

VanjaJames · 12-22-2008, 07:03 PM

If I were you I wouldn't worry. High cholesterol was an idea brought on by pharmaceutical companies so they could make money selling cholesterol lowering agents. Studies have shown that eggs are good for you, and cholesterol isn't bad, and the cholesterol drugs can damage the liver. If you are morbidly obese you should focus on getting your weight down to keep your blood pressure in check, but cholesterol is but a silly number!

This is a website that you might find interesting:

The Cholesterol Myths

CherryCola · 12-22-2008, 07:11 PM

When you get your results back and know the *real* numbers maybe bump up this thread.

In the mean time, check out the little mini-forum on here in the Health Support section about Cholesterol. Others have been able to successfully lower LDL using flush free niacin, fish oil, and/or red yeast rice.

wifezilla · 12-22-2008, 07:12 PM

Unless you had the test where they check the particle size of your LDL, the number means NOTHING!!!

Also, low cholesterol levels in females is associated with HIGHER MORTALITY. I don't think your corpse needs a low cholesterol level.

As for statins...you may want to check out this story. It features a doctor who, while not fat, had high cholesterol. His doctor put him on a statin and it destroyed his health.
Denver Low-Carb Examiner: 'Space Doc' gives advice that is out of this world!

Charski · 12-22-2008, 08:05 PM

The total number is totally meaningless anyway. Until you know ALL the numbers and can calculate your ratios - ignore the "take a pill" advice.

When you have your numbers, come on back here, list 'em all and let the experts here tell you the REAL news.

My total cholesterol is 260. Now that would send most docs FLYING to get their prescription pads! Luckily "MY" doctor knows that because my HDL is so high, that the total will be too. But my RATIOS are BELOW normal for risk so she's not worried and neither am I.

Luminescent · 12-22-2008, 08:29 PM

What's interesting about cholesterol is that it's almost entirely genetically based... I'm 18, extremely active (exercise 6+ days a week), eat very healthy, and still am borderline. My sister has very high cholesterol, and she's the same as me health-wise, and she's not even 17. My 15 year old brother is the same way.

I really believe cholesterol is dictated by food very little.

sugarless4life · 12-22-2008, 08:37 PM

Get the individual breakdown. Do not touch a statin until you know the individual numbers.

Betty

Locarb4me · 12-22-2008, 08:51 PM

Read "The Great Cholesterol Con" by Dr. Malcolm Kendrick, or same title by Anthony Colpo.

I no longer worry about my cholesterol numbers, although my doctor is probably going to die of a stress-induced heart attack from reading my labs.

Leo41 · 12-23-2008, 03:09 AM

I second Betty's advice. Do NOT take any medication until you see the full report. I've had doctors "suggest" statins to me, and when I point out that 1) my LDL is only "borderline" high; 2) my HDL is off the chart--90-110; 3) the only reason the total number is high is because of my HDL which is a GOOD thing, they back down.

Doctors are trained to "treat," so anytime they see something that they believe they can fix with meds, they're happy to prescribe. But it's OUR bodies, and we need to take charge of what we imbibe--food or meds.

Personally, any doctor who advised me to take a drug via a phone message would be my FORMER physician.

sugarless4life · 12-23-2008, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo41

I second Betty's advice. Do NOT take any medication until you see the full report. I've had doctors "suggest" statins to me, and when I point out that 1) my LDL is only "borderline" high; 2) my HDL is off the chart--90-110; 3) the only reason the total number is high is because of my HDL which is a GOOD thing, they back down.

Doctors are trained to "treat," so anytime they see something that they believe they can fix with meds, they're happy to prescribe. But it's OUR bodies, and we need to take charge of what we imbibe--food or meds.

Personally, any doctor who advised me to take a drug via a phone message would be my FORMER physician.

Just like Leo, my HDL is 110 and my LDL is 95, trigs are 73. Added together, that makes for a high TOTAL of course ! That's why total is meaningless. If your HDL is high, that's a good thing!

Betty

sugarless4life · 12-23-2008, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SweetPoison2

I thought the exact same thing! But, nope. I just got back my results as well. I had to start cholesterol meds!!!

But my doctor did state that LC is not the cause. She said she sees marathon runners with high cholesterol...

Go figure ~

SP, just curious ... what were your cholesterol numbers? I'm one of those "marathon runners" with a high total because all that running has taken my good cholesterol off the charts !!! At last check, it was 110 !

Betty

SweetPoison2 · 12-23-2008, 08:54 AM

http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/lo...ults-meds.html

No one really cared

SweetPoison2 · 12-23-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wifezilla

I don't think your corpse needs a low cholesterol level.

That is hilarious!! Now I am questioning the wisdom of starting the cholesterol meds....which I did already....

Locarb4me · 12-23-2008, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SweetPoison2

That is hilarious!! Now I am questioning the wisdom of starting the cholesterol meds....which I did already....

I'll say the same to you I did to her, go read one of those books I mentioned.

Also:
The Heart Scan Blog: Cholesterol

and this: The International Network of Cholesterol Skeptics

and this:
Have we been conned about cholesterol? | Mail Online

At least you get a bit of information from the other side.

Sharon · 01-03-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SweetPoison2

But my doctor did state that LC is not the cause. She said she sees marathon runners with high cholesterol...

My #'s are in the sticky. I've done a few marathons and can't get my #'s down. My Dr. doesn't know what to do with me since I'm in the healthy ratio range. He wanted to me try one of the meds so I did back in April. I got dizzy to the point of vertigo and sick to my stomach. I stopped the meds and then tried them again in July -- the same happened. That was enough for me as I told him that I won't take them anymore. My husband had the next appointment with our Dr. and the first thing he said "she's not going to take those meds anymore". I also have Meniere's which is very much under control right now with a low sodium diet but as soon as I took those pills the reaction on me was unbelievable.

SweetPoison2 · 01-03-2009, 08:44 PM

Wow, Sharon! And you are a marathon runner....skinny as hell too!! I miss You!!

You are going to the upcomming dinner, right?

12-22-2008, 05:39 PM	#1
doxielove Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 280 Gallery: doxielove Stats: 160.8/158.0/120 WOE: low carb Start Date: every day	Disappointing Cholesterol Results I haven't gotten the actual numbers yet, but there was a message on my voicemail today from my dr.'s office saying that my lipids were too high on recent bloodwork and they want me to pick up a prescription for Zocor. After four months of Atkins I really expected better cholesterol test results. I have taken statin drugs before and after reading all the research on them and experiencing some bad side effects myself, I won't take them again. How can I eat low carb yet change my diet in order to help bring down my cholesterol levels? Obviously I can't add whole grains, so what's a person to do? Any help is greatly appreciated!

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12-22-2008, 05:51 PM	#3
FloridaShell Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 5,754 Gallery: FloridaShell Stats: 163/128 sz 4-6/? WOE: My own way of l/cing Start Date: 1/2/08	My cholesterol reading was the same as when I was eating everything in sight.

12-22-2008, 06:15 PM	#4
ixirockx Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 32 Gallery: ixirockx	Just a question. Does anybody here think that high cholesterol is actually not bad. I thought it was only harmful if it was oxidized?

12-22-2008, 07:03 PM	#5
VanjaJames Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 577 Gallery: VanjaJames Stats: 150/130/125 5'5'' WOE: Spartan Diet, MEVY/Candida diet Start Date: 10/2008	If I were you I wouldn't worry. High cholesterol was an idea brought on by pharmaceutical companies so they could make money selling cholesterol lowering agents. Studies have shown that eggs are good for you, and cholesterol isn't bad, and the cholesterol drugs can damage the liver. If you are morbidly obese you should focus on getting your weight down to keep your blood pressure in check, but cholesterol is but a silly number! This is a website that you might find interesting: The Cholesterol Myths

12-22-2008, 07:11 PM	#6
CherryCola Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 3,039 Gallery: CherryCola Stats: Sz 10/6/4	When you get your results back and know the real numbers maybe bump up this thread. In the mean time, check out the little mini-forum on here in the Health Support section about Cholesterol. Others have been able to successfully lower LDL using flush free niacin, fish oil, and/or red yeast rice.

12-22-2008, 07:12 PM	#7
wifezilla Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 5,672 Gallery: wifezilla Stats: 250/207/190 WOE: Read em all. Doing it my way. Start Date: May 2007	Unless you had the test where they check the particle size of your LDL, the number means NOTHING!!! Also, low cholesterol levels in females is associated with HIGHER MORTALITY. I don't think your corpse needs a low cholesterol level. As for statins...you may want to check out this story. It features a doctor who, while not fat, had high cholesterol. His doctor put him on a statin and it destroyed his health. Denver Low-Carb Examiner: 'Space Doc' gives advice that is out of this world!

12-22-2008, 08:05 PM	#8
Charski Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Central Coastal CA Posts: 13,325 Gallery: Charski Stats: 174 (WW)/130/150 goal 5'5" 56 years young WOE: ATKINS! now and always.... Start Date: 5/03	The total number is totally meaningless anyway. Until you know ALL the numbers and can calculate your ratios - ignore the "take a pill" advice. When you have your numbers, come on back here, list 'em all and let the experts here tell you the REAL news. My total cholesterol is 260. Now that would send most docs FLYING to get their prescription pads! Luckily "MY" doctor knows that because my HDL is so high, that the total will be too. But my RATIOS are BELOW normal for risk so she's not worried and neither am I.

12-22-2008, 08:29 PM	#9
Luminescent Guest Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 193 Gallery: Luminescent WOE: Low carb; high protein	What's interesting about cholesterol is that it's almost entirely genetically based... I'm 18, extremely active (exercise 6+ days a week), eat very healthy, and still am borderline. My sister has very high cholesterol, and she's the same as me health-wise, and she's not even 17. My 15 year old brother is the same way. I really believe cholesterol is dictated by food very little.

12-22-2008, 08:37 PM	#10
sugarless4life Atkins Ambassador Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 12,545 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: sugarless4life Stats: 5'3 / 100 pounds / 53 yo /maintaining for 7 years WOE: Lost it with Atkins / RUNNING to keep it off! Start Date: January 19, 2002 - NEARLY 8 YEARS ON ATKINS	Get the individual breakdown. Do not touch a statin until you know the individual numbers. Betty

12-22-2008, 08:51 PM	#11
Locarb4me Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: My Alternate Parallel Universe Posts: 4,374 Gallery: Locarb4me Stats: 200/170/150 WOE: Healthy stuff, mod to VL carbs Start Date: 6/12/07	Read "The Great Cholesterol Con" by Dr. Malcolm Kendrick, or same title by Anthony Colpo. I no longer worry about my cholesterol numbers, although my doctor is probably going to die of a stress-induced heart attack from reading my labs.

12-23-2008, 03:09 AM	#12
Leo41 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,446 Gallery: Leo41	I second Betty's advice. Do NOT take any medication until you see the full report. I've had doctors "suggest" statins to me, and when I point out that 1) my LDL is only "borderline" high; 2) my HDL is off the chart--90-110; 3) the only reason the total number is high is because of my HDL which is a GOOD thing, they back down. Doctors are trained to "treat," so anytime they see something that they believe they can fix with meds, they're happy to prescribe. But it's OUR bodies, and we need to take charge of what we imbibe--food or meds. Personally, any doctor who advised me to take a drug via a phone message would be my FORMER physician.

12-23-2008, 08:54 AM	#15
SweetPoison2 Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sacramento, California Posts: 7,879 Gallery: SweetPoison2 Stats: 246/228/150 WOE: Anything I Want Plan Start Date: June 09	http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/lo...ults-meds.html No one really cared

01-03-2009, 08:44 PM	#19
SweetPoison2 Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sacramento, California Posts: 7,879 Gallery: SweetPoison2 Stats: 246/228/150 WOE: Anything I Want Plan Start Date: June 09	Wow, Sharon! And you are a marathon runner....skinny as hell too!! I miss You!! You are going to the upcomming dinner, right?