Why LDL-Cholesterol May Be Overestimated on a Low-Carb, High-Fat (LCHF) Diet

albertabeefy

This is a blog post by Dr. Axel F Sigurdsson, a cardiologist practicing in Iceland. I read it frequently and find it an excellent source of information.

http://www.docsopinion.com/2017/01/02/ldl-cholesterol-overestimated-low-carb-high-fat-lchf-diet/

In addition to his thoughts on the calculation for LDL (and I do wholeheartedly agree that the calculation is off when eating LCHF, and the Iranian formula will be moreaccurate), I've also found in the majority of cases where advanced lipid testing (particle testing) is available for both before/after an LCHF diet, the ratio of LDL patterns A to B changes to a more favourable profile.

All good information to know!

cstehansen

Very interesting. Using the revised formula, my LDL-C would be lower by 21. That is a significant change and given the premise is low TG number and mine is 56, it seems if they are right, that revised formula is the one that should be used.

dasher602014

I found this really interesting. Thanks for posting it.

I am one of those with very low trigs and high everything else. They have medicated me to bring the LDL down and are threatening more medication if I cannot get it down through diet. Huuurrrrmmmmmphhhh.

When I do the calculation the way this article suggests I am way below the worry point. I did find some of the comment interesting and if I read them right, some are saying that if you change the way you calculate, the diagnostic points may have to change too.

cstehansen

dasher602014 wrote: »

I found this really interesting. Thanks for posting it.

I am one of those with very low trigs and high everything else. They have medicated me to bring the LDL down and are threatening more medication if I cannot get it down through diet. Huuurrrrmmmmmphhhh.

When I do the calculation the way this article suggests I am way below the worry point. I did find some of the comment interesting and if I read them right, some are saying that if you change the way you calculate, the diagnostic points may have to change too.

My GP had the prescription all filled out for me. I think it became clear to him I wasn't going to take it anyway, so he gave the, "well, we will see how you do with diet for now" response and didn't give it to me. The nice thing about being in a free country is no one can force me to take medication I don't want.

RalfLott

Ok, I'm confused why lipid levels should be estimated on the basis of triglyceride levels.

Triglycerides can bounce around - a lot. Meanwhile, LDL and the other values are supposed to be more or less stable from day to day.

So ..... If my triglycerides go up between today and tomorrow, then, all other things being equal, my LDL estimate would fall under the old method and rise under the new one? Seems like it should be about the same..... ??