Wellness

[SXMGirl]

@hckynutJohn, do you have knowledge of cholesterol or can you give me some advice on questions to ask my doctor?

Here's the story.  About 6 weeks ago, new doctor, I had a complete panel done.  Good cholesterol was 84 and bad was 244.  Iron was a 1.  The doctor felt that the bad cholesterol was hereditary because of the good one, which she attributed to my workout schedule and decent eating.  I was hesitant to take anything but she insisted that when it is hereditary that trying to get it down my self would be very difficult, at best.  She was talking stroke, even though no one in my family has had one.

I started on colesevelam and then had another blood test for cholesterol.  Both numbers doubled.  When I got the call about the results, I told the PA that I would like another blood test because there had to be a mistake.  She said that it was too soon.

I see my new doctor on Thursday and wonder if you have advice on questions that I should ask.  I was not concerned after the first test, but now I am very concerned.  One of my trainers at the Y said that it might be time for me to see a cardiologist.  A few weeks ago I did not need one.  Now, I am not so sure.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.  Thanks, John!

[hckynutjohn]

@SXMGirl,

New tablet, not sure how it is working. First question, did you do a fasting lipid test? I never do a lipld panel without fasting for a minute minimum of 12 hours. Too soon? What, for insurance to pay? The only thing that I know for sure that raised my HDL(good number) was my workouts. I can't say my food because I have eaten pretty much the same for decades. The total cholesterol number is secondary to the HDL/LDL Ratio. The lower the ratio number the better. Mine at last check was 2.1 which is good for men even moreso because of my age and my having 2 heart attacks.

I cannot imagine lipid numbers changing that much unless there is some underlying blood issue, or just a plain mistake by the lab. That happened to my wife when she was in ICU after her stroke. If was more serious than a lipid number, it was her INR/ProTime, which is a measure of how your blood is clotting. Her number was way too high as they were going to do an Endoscopy and a high number means your blood is no clotting much, this a risk of bleeding to death during the procedure. They did another blood test and those numbers were in a very good range.

As far as LDL(bad one)? I have never had and issue with mine, always way below 100. Really can't help you with that without doing some research, and you might do that at reputable sites. LDL was not talked about much in my Cardiac Rehab Classes, it was concentrated more on HDL/Tryglycerides and HDL/LDL/VLDL Ratio.

Now I hope this fontis big enough to read, gotta do some setting changes, but right now I have no QVC options.



hckynut

[SXMGirl]

@hckynutjohn  Thank you for your reply.  My one trainer did mention the ratio, but this was the first time that I had heard about it.  I will definitely be asking the doctor.  As far as the lab work, the doctor must think that the insurance will not pay for the test.  Again, I will find out on Thursday.  Anyway, I have stopped the meds and will probably wait until I get another blood test before even considering meds.  Thanks again!

[jackthebear]

@SXMGirl find a good cardiologist

[SXMGirl]

@jackthebearAlready on it.  I just need to figure out if I need a plumber or an electrician!  Just found that out today and how they are different.

[twinkies]

This happened to my husband and it was his thyroid that was the problem . He has a slow thyroid , They put him on thyroid meds and its corrected. Have the doctor check your thyroid. Just a thought.

Cathy from ma