DH got his blood work results back after 6 weeks on primal - thoughts? page

[FrankiG]

DH was eating S.A.D. and had these cholesterol numbers back in March:

HDL - 36
LDL - 157
Triglycerides - 227

(Didn't get the VLDL or C-Reactive Protein)

He agreed to go primal 100% six weeks ago and has stuck to it faithfully (he does snack on nuts and dried fruit as he pleases, but eats all home-cooked paleo/primal food, no more fast food, no more gluten/grain/refined sugars).

Today he had his follow-up bloodwork results after 6 weeks of this changed diet.

HDL - 42
LDL - 174
Triglycerides - 199

I'm guessing that the LDL increased due to it converting to 'larger fluffier' particles, and the drop in Trig is excellent - though I'm not clear on how quickly cholesterol levels can change and how long it takes for them to approach healthy levels. I'm thinking that those numbers are pretty good, but his dr. told him he has to go on medication/it's probably genetic (those are so NOT 'genetic cholestrol levels' IMO) and when DH asked for some literature/research on different drugs the dr. read him the riot act about 'trusting the professionals'.

[jammies]

Six weeks is really too short of a time to tell much. You need more like 6 months. But it is good to see trig. coming down.

[Knifegill]

Trigs are coming down. Don't change a thing. Test again in a month.

[noodletoy]

trigs have come down a lot in just 6 weeks. you need at least 6 months to make a big splash.

also, there is zero proof "high cholesterol" causes heart attacks.

[FrankiG]

"Trigs have come down a lot"

That's what I wasn't sure of - what constitutes a 'big drop' for such a short time frame? DH is committed to this long-term, so I told him that in 6 months he should get it redrawn and I'd ask for the additional c-reactive and VLDL measurements. He's super annoyed at his dr. right now for not dialoging about the issue and instead just pushing drugs.

[jammies]

"Trigs have come down a lot"

That's what I wasn't sure of - what constitutes a 'big drop' for such a short time frame? DH is committed to this long-term, so I told him that in 6 months he should get it redrawn and I'd ask for the additional c-reactive and VLDL measurements. He's super annoyed at his dr. right now for not dialoging about the issue and instead just pushing drugs.

Remind your husband that the doctor works for him and has no authority to make decisions regarding anyone's health - only suggestions.

I would also suggest your review what is know as the "primary prevention" literature when it comes to statins and share the data with your physician. There is disagreement, even in mainstream medicine, as to whether statins provide any benefit for people who have not already experienced a heart attack.

[FrankiG]

This was a new dr. and I doubt DH will ever go back to him again - when someone insults his intelligence and pulls an 'authority trump card' it basically sends him fleeing for the hills .

[Wrenwood]

The doctor sounds like a major jerk and your husband's results sound quite promising which is much more important. Did he get the VAP cholesterol test, that breaks down the results into more detail about the different components? Perhaps the new doctor will do that - apparently it gives a lot more information.

[FrankiG]

The doctor sounds like a major jerk and your husband's results sound quite promising which is much more important. Did he get the VAP cholesterol test, that breaks down the results into more detail about the different components? Perhaps the new doctor will do that - apparently it gives a lot more information.

When he goes (somewhere...yet to be determined as we need a new dr.) for follow-up bloodwork in 6 months I plan to request whatever detailed tests can be done - this was far more basic and the LDL was calculated, not direct (among other things lacking).

[Moochy]

Trigs will drop very fast if you low carb, your husband is still eating too many carbs I would bet.