My Doctor Told Me Today.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you drink diet soda? That's an "easy" first fix.

Easy but may carry its own diabetes risk:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/09/17/349270927/diet-soda-may-alter-our-gut-microbes-and-the-risk-of-diabetes

[Anonymous]

I'm 48. My cholesterol is up, but my good cholesterol is SO high that he's not worried. My blood sugar was a bit elevated, too.

Did you doc check your thyroid? Usually there's your connection. I'm on synthroid -but on a low dose.

Also, shedding a few pounds can be helpful, and try to find time exercise. Even a 30-min walk daily is helpful. I would avoid cholesterol meds. I don't trust them, as I saw my dad's health go down once he started Lipitor. They said he had Parkinson's, but having read all the info on statins, I know they can damage muscles. And w/in 6 years he was bed-ridden.

don't mean to scare you - But eat more vegetables and low-fat foods and exercise.

Anonymous wrote:I am 45 and just had my lab numbers done for the first time in my life. Yes, I do admit, I am waay behind in the game.

Anyway I am one hundred percent sure the numbers are accurate because I totally fasted, no water/food prior since midnight the night prior.

Anyways, my M.D. is concerned because my bad cholesterol is at 138. She likes the number to be no higher than 100 she told me. She said she will give me exactly 3 months to change my eating habits and then do another blood lab test and if my number is still above 100 she will put me on meds. Yikes!

Also, she said my blood sugar level is 108 and she again, likes that number to be under 100 so she is giving me the same 3 month timeline.

She said I am at risk for cardiovascular disease as well as diabetes.

Are these numbers too high?? Also, does anyone know of any books or websites that I can read about what foods I should and should not be eating??

Because honestly, I do know fast food is unhealthy, but other than that, I really do not know.

For instance at the store tonight, I was buying milk and didn't know whether low-fat or reduced-fat was healthier for me. I wanted to ask someone, but didn't want to look like a middle-aged idiot. Lol.

[Anonymous]

This video is the best explanation of why exercise is important in lowering your blood glucose and cholesterol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaInS6HIGo

[Anonymous]

OP here are my recent #s:

72 Glucose
HDL: 51 mg/dL
LDL: 94 mg/dL
Triglyceride: 45 mg/dL

I used to be close to yours.

If you look here, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/cholesterol-levels/art-20048245 It gives you a lot of great info. For me, I am struggling to get my HDL number up. Make a few big changes and some small ones and you should get there. I agree, however, that you want to get the glucose under control before all else! Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go purchase the book - Engine 2 diet.

Read it.

Start a plant based diet. You will in 3 months have much lower #s.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here are my recent #s:

72 Glucose
HDL: 51 mg/dL
LDL: 94 mg/dL
Triglyceride: 45 mg/dL

I used to be close to yours.

If you look here, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/cholesterol-levels/art-20048245 It gives you a lot of great info. For me, I am struggling to get my HDL number up. Make a few big changes and some small ones and you should get there. I agree, however, that you want to get the glucose under control before all else! Good luck.

Depending on ones genetics, it may not be possible to change the numbers without medical intervention.

I have a problem with the tradeoff between blood sugar and cholesterol. I can make my cholesterol numbers decent, but the specific med (in addition to everything else) raises my Blood Suger about 40%, and periodically causes me to faint.

So, I live with my chol. #s:

LDL:165
HDL: 18
Triglycerides: 345
Blood glucose: 135
A1C: 7.2

As I only have one kidney, I need to keep the diabetes under control. But I also have heart disease, and two types of cancer (Stage 4 kidney and stage 1 colon).

OP, I will trade.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, just cutting back significantly on sugar will go a long way. It's probably not realistic to expect you to suddenly become a vegan who grows his/her own vegetables and never eats another piece of processed food again - instead start by shooting for moderation. Smaller portions of everything, especially junk. Use smaller dinner plates so less food looks like more (sounds gimmicky but really works). Cutting out sweet drinks is really a must, and that includes juice. If you must have juice, only one glass a day and cut it with sparkling water. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, just cutting back significantly on sugar will go a long way. It's probably not realistic to expect you to suddenly become a vegan who grows his/her own vegetables and never eats another piece of processed food again - instead start by shooting for moderation. Smaller portions of everything, especially junk. Use smaller dinner plates so less food looks like more (sounds gimmicky but really works). Cutting out sweet drinks is really a must, and that includes juice. If you must have juice, only one glass a day and cut it with sparkling water. Good luck!

^^Oh, and also watch the red meat. Only once a week. That stuff's a killer in large amounts. As the Chik-Fil-A cow would tell you, Eat Mor Chikin!

[Anonymous]

My husband had horrible numbers. Went gluten free (due to a thyroid issue...had read it could help). His numbers were all on track at his next visit. He also lost 40lbs in about 4 months and has kept it off.

[Anonymous]

I've eaten Paleo for awhile and lost a few vanity pounds and my labs are absolutely excellent with my trigymcerides at 30.

However, my DH went to see the doctor at the age of 38 and HOLY SMOKES he was a hot mess.
-285lbs
-Cholesterol at 330
-Triglycerides over 100
-Pre-diabetic glucose level of 120
-High blood pressure

He was headed STRAIGHT to a heart attack. It was scary. He got scared. I was terrified that he would be dead at 45.

That day he decided to eat like me, and he went strict Paleo. Most nights our plates look like a MOUNTAIN of vegetables and a little bit of meat. He also started to exercise.

At the last check up, the doctor said that he is a poster child of how to turn your healthy around and was frankly stunned and inspired.

-Weighed in at 215lbs
-Cholesterol under 200 with his ratios extremely excellent (thank you daily avocado)
-Triglycerides at 40
-Fasting glucose 75
-Normal blood pressure
-Resting HR of 55 and this is at the DRS office, not lating in bed when he wakes up!

In two years time, he goes to the gym 5 days a week, ran the rock and roll half marathon and a number of other races and lifts weights and I might say that he's looking pretty sexy. He still does enjoy a glass of red wine each night.

So in a nutshell, Paleo transforms. It is not easy and I support him 100% and do a lot of the meal prep. Here is an example of a typical day:

-Breakfast 3 hard boiled eggs, plus a green smoothie (kale/spinach, 1/2 apple, lemon slice, ginger slice, avocado slice water and ice)
-Mid morning snack raw almonds or pistachios
-Lunch: large green salad (green meaning real greens, no iceberg or romaine) topped with grilled chicken
-Afternoon snack: 1/2 avocado (we go through 10 avocados a week, we buy them at Costco)
-Dinner: a spiced Burger on the grill with grilled large portobello mushrooms used as "the bun" and a side of brussel sprouts roasted with a little bit of bacon.
-Late night sweet attack: Chocolate Almond butter spread on a banana.

Yes, this takes a lot of work! I'm about to start my meal plan for next week and head to the store. This week I will have a huge pot of soup for an easy fix.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh hell. Dietary fat does not translate into elevated blood lipids. Cutting back the carbs and eating more fat and protein will stabilise your blood glucose.

+1
Add in walks (I did two daily, 15-20 minutes); this really helps your body's insulin response to food. And 2000 IU vitamin D daily. Eat as much good fat (the best raised meats you can afford, coconut, olive, nuts, avocados) as helps you eat fewer carbs.

People hate Whole Foods, but they do have a much wider array of healthy, interesting options than most other grocery stores. They're worth a perusal for options.

[Anonymous]

It's not too late! You can make healthful changes now! I was over 220 lbs with high triglicerides at age 45when my doc put me on meds. You know how the commercials say simple blood tests are needed to check for liver problems? Well I got liver damage from the medication and HAD to start exercising and lose weight. Now at 55, my numbers are good, I still exercise, and the liver healed. Lay off potato chips, French fries, and greasy stuff and you will start to see a change and feel better too!

[Anonymous]

Guess what? Just because she gives you EXACTLY THREE months before prescribes meds doesn't mean you actually have to start them. If you make the changes and see progress you get to be an adult and decide whether or not to take more time before implementing medication.

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind that there is a GENETIC component to your numbers...in addition to the dietary/exercise aspect...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Guess what? Just because she gives you EXACTLY THREE months before prescribes meds doesn't mean you actually have to start them. If you make the changes and see progress you get to be an adult and decide whether or not to take more time before implementing medication.

If you make lifestyle and dietary changes that are reflected in your lab numbers, even if the change is small, the doctor probably be very impressed and willing to give you more time before discussing medications. They're used to seeing patients who cannot make changes, so will be thrilled to see someone who does make effective changes.

You can do it, OP.