Blood Work Has Scared Me

[vehappi]

Hi,
In October 2006 I visited my doctor. He shared the results of my blood work. Tryglicerides 102, Cholesterol 180, HDL 34, LDL 144 with a ratio of 5.3 and A1C 7.0. He recommended Metformin for the glucose.

I started to take the metformin, went on the Protein Plan and have worked out consistently one hour daily six days a week. Today, February 21, I met with my doctor again. Results of blood work: Tryglicerides 65, cholesterol 225, HDL 38, LDL 175 with a ratio of 5.9and A1C 6.0.
He is happy with the A1C and feels the metformin is the reason for the drop. He wants me to go on lipitor right away because of the high cholesterol and the high ratio.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Should I go on Lipitor?

:paranoid:

[James L]

Should I go on Lipitor?
Hi, vehappi and welcome to this board.

I would suggest that you read the Pros and Cons of Taking Statins thread and other threads in that same forum. You'll find some good links and some good food for thought.

[Ottawa]

Vehappi,
My LDL rose for the first several months after starting this program even though Tryglicerides dropped dramaticcly. From seeing others results I think that their LDL dropped sooner so it could be an anomily. EIther way it has consistently lowered since then and I have a Lipid ratio that my doctor is well pleased with. The HDL did not make a significant increase until I began working out.

[Gaelen]

Vehappi, please cruise through the threads in this forum "Cholesterol and Heart health", which explain those numbers a bit. You may find some help in the articles linked in the 'Getting Started' forum, too. Welcome in!

[maxlharris]

Hi Vel,

Congrats on the Triglyceride number. I'm told it's the most predictive.

Curious to know about your workout a little I guess.

My doc was talking statins. I cut him a deal. I said I would take them if, in 6 months, my numbers still bothered him. It took less time than that, but the problem is solved.

Good luck.

[vehappi]

Hi Group, I am concerned about my last blood work. The results:
October 2006 February 2007

Triglycerides 102 65
Cholestrol 182 226
HDL 34 38
LDL 144 175
A1C 7 6
ratio HDL-LDL 5.3 5.9My doctor wants me to go on lipitor. Frankly, I am scared to death of the stuff after reading chapter four of the Protein Power Lifeplan again.I have been taking around 500 mg of Niacan daily and plan to increase that to between 1000 and 1500 mg because of what they state in that chapter. Has anyone had a similar problem? :confused: If so, please advise.

[mcsblues]

Welcome aboard. My 2 cents would be your blood work looks great, and getting better - triglycerides dropping fast, HDL improving (like they do on low carb) the only thing of concern is your A1C - you say you are on Metformin - what level of carbs are you on? is this consistent (ie no 'cheats', off plan meals/days)? Frankly if all your doctor is concerned about with those figures is your total or LDL cholesterol, then find a new doctor who takes your real health issues more seriously.

[Gabriel Guzman]

Hi Group, I am concerned about my last blood work. The results:
October 2006 February 2007

Triglycerides 102 65
Cholestrol 182 226
HDL 34 38
LDL 144 175
A1C 7 6
ratio HDL-LDL 5.3 5.9My doctor wants me to go on lipitor. Frankly, I am scared to death of the stuff after reading chapter four of the Protein Power Lifeplan again.I have been taking around 500 mg of Niacan daily and plan to increase that to between 1000 and 1500 mg because of what they state in that chapter. Has anyone had a similar problem? :confused: If so, please advise.

What your doctor hasn't noticed is how the ratio Triglycerides/HDL has changed from 3 to 1.7, which is great! As you continue on the plan, making sure not to neglect your minimum protein, you'll see your HDL increasing gradually as well. There is no statin that can increase your HDL regardless of what the makers of Crestor say. I think your doctor is concerned about your LDL, which has increased but is not unheard when people adopt a carbohydrate-controlled diet. Your doctor might want to order an LDL-profile test to make sure that the small LDL particles are not the main component in your LDL-profile. Most likely, as it has been shown with carbohydrate-controlled diets, it is the larger size particle (not associated with problems) what comprises the LDL-profile. Just some thoughts to discuss with your doctor.

[Dodger]

The drug companies are leading the push to lower LDL. As all the statins do is lower LDL, that's all that they concentrate on when their reps talk to doctors. I did a lot of investigation and concluded that high HDL is good and low TG is good. LDL doesn't really matter.

The only thing that raised by HDL was increasing the saturated fats in my diet. I got about a 50%; from the low 40s to low 60s. Keeping the carb intake low lowers TG.

[vehappi]

Hi Vel,

Congrats on the Triglyceride number. I'm told it's the most predictive.

Curious to know about your workout a little I guess.

My doc was talking statins. I cut him a deal. I said I would take them if, in 6 months, my numbers still bothered him. It took less time than that, but the problem is solved.

Good luck.
I work out on the average of one hour per day for five to six days a week. Treadmill: 4 miles in one hour, swim one mile in one hour and bike 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours.

[James L]

Here's a list of Lipitor concerns (http://www.spacedoc.net/lipitor.htm). FWIW.