Haven't posted in a while - bloodwork questions

auntstephie321

I've been following a high protein low fat lowish carb plan for about a month now, was lchf before that. It's part of a fitness bootcamp I'm doing.

I just had blood work done Monday and checked the results, my Dr hadn't had a chance to review yet but it's all online. So I didn't fast because it said non fasting. My bun/creatinine ratio is high but I attribute that too the high protein diet which will be over soon. And my hdl was 40 I assume from low fat. But what has me freaking out it's my BG non fasting was 44? Should I be freaking out? It seems really low. Could they have made a mistake?

cstehansen

auntstephie321 wrote: »

I've been following a high protein low fat lowish carb plan for about a month now, was lchf before that. It's part of a fitness bootcamp I'm doing.

I just had blood work done Monday and checked the results, my Dr hadn't had a chance to review yet but it's all online. So I didn't fast because it said non fasting. My bun/creatinine ratio is high but I attribute that too the high protein diet which will be over soon. And my hdl was 40 I assume from low fat. But what has me freaking out it's my BG non fasting was 44? Should I be freaking out? It seems really low. Could they have made a mistake?

I read about some keto research where there were subjects whose BG dropped as low as the upper 30's, which if the person were not keto-adapted likely would be lethal. Assuming the 44 is accurate and the fact you aren't dead (are you?), I would say it is safe to say you are keto adapted.

If it were me, I would do my own BG test given how cheap glucometers are now. I have multiple because BG control is my primary reason for eating this way, but even if it weren't, that reading would prompt me to buy one. I wouldn't be surprised if your doctor checked it when you do go in to review the results. S/he will certainly have one in the office and will want to check it.

auntstephie321

cstehansen wrote: »

auntstephie321 wrote: »

I've been following a high protein low fat lowish carb plan for about a month now, was lchf before that. It's part of a fitness bootcamp I'm doing.

I just had blood work done Monday and checked the results, my Dr hadn't had a chance to review yet but it's all online. So I didn't fast because it said non fasting. My bun/creatinine ratio is high but I attribute that too the high protein diet which will be over soon. And my hdl was 40 I assume from low fat. But what has me freaking out it's my BG non fasting was 44? Should I be freaking out? It seems really low. Could they have made a mistake?

I read about some keto research where there were subjects whose BG dropped as low as the upper 30's, which if the person were not keto-adapted likely would be lethal. Assuming the 44 is accurate and the fact you aren't dead (are you?), I would say it is safe to say you are keto adapted.

If it were me, I would do my own BG test given how cheap glucometers are now. I have multiple because BG control is my primary reason for eating this way, but even if it weren't, that reading would prompt me to buy one. I wouldn't be surprised if your doctor checked it when you do go in to review the results. S/he will certainly have one in the office and will want to check it.

I think/hope I'm still alive I do have a meter at home from a few years ago when I started low carb and was in the pre diabetic range. my carbs haven't been keto levels lately though, I guess, well maybe they have since I've been doing extra exercise and eating around 80-90 total a day. I just wasn't expecting such a low number and I physically feel fine so it would seem odd to me that something is wrong causing that, and if I were hypoglycemic then wouldn't I have trouble with workouts and such.

RalfLott

auntstephie321 wrote: »

cstehansen wrote: »

auntstephie321 wrote: »

I've been following a high protein low fat lowish carb plan for about a month now, was lchf before that. It's part of a fitness bootcamp I'm doing.

I just had blood work done Monday and checked the results, my Dr hadn't had a chance to review yet but it's all online. So I didn't fast because it said non fasting. My bun/creatinine ratio is high but I attribute that too the high protein diet which will be over soon. And my hdl was 40 I assume from low fat. But what has me freaking out it's my BG non fasting was 44? Should I be freaking out? It seems really low. Could they have made a mistake?

I read about some keto research where there were subjects whose BG dropped as low as the upper 30's, which if the person were not keto-adapted likely would be lethal. Assuming the 44 is accurate and the fact you aren't dead (are you?), I would say it is safe to say you are keto adapted.

If it were me, I would do my own BG test given how cheap glucometers are now. I have multiple because BG control is my primary reason for eating this way, but even if it weren't, that reading would prompt me to buy one. I wouldn't be surprised if your doctor checked it when you do go in to review the results. S/he will certainly have one in the office and will want to check it.

I think/hope I'm still alive I do have a meter at home from a few years ago when I started low carb and was in the pre diabetic range. my carbs haven't been keto levels lately though, I guess, well maybe they have since I've been doing extra exercise and eating around 80-90 total a day. I just wasn't expecting such a low number and I physically feel fine so it would seem odd to me that something is wrong causing that, and if I were hypoglycemic then wouldn't I have trouble with workouts and such.

Yep, if you're in ketosis, not symptomatic and not on meds with hypoglycemic tendencies, I wouldn't get too alarmed. But for a non-fasting level, that is certainly a puzzle!

If you were ever prediabetic (or not), I'd strongly urge you to test an entire day - fasting, pre-prandial, and 30,60, 90,and 120 post-prandial - every now and then, and certainly with any significant dietary changes, so you're on top of things. Don't need any surprises!

nvmomketo

I agree that testing a bit more can't hurt, but I wouldn't worry too much if you were asymptomatic. You've been lower carb for a long while and are active now. Chances are that you are fairly fat adapted and don't need to rely strictly on glucose. Going lower than average is not a problem (often) then.

I used to have reactive hypoglycemia. When my BG fell, it fell fast and hard and it ended up lower than where I'd started. It felt pretty bad with shakes and cold sweats. The works. I never went hypo though; I could even be a 90 and be almost fainting from the lack of glucose. It was the sudden drop, and my body's reliance on glucose, that was the problem. On the other hand, when I was ketogenic my BG would fall to the 50's once in a while and I felt fine. I was fat adapted so low BG was not an issue.

Hmmm. Maybe a bit of reactive hypoglycemia is the issue for you too? Within an hour of eating my BG is almost always lower than before I ate. I think my body sends out a lot of insulin pretty quickly. That's how I lower my BG in the morning - I eat something. Testing would show if that is the issue.

Let us know how it goes.

auntstephie321

Thanks @nvmomketo I guess I won't know much till I try monitoring, of course my meter isn't working so I'll have to pick up a new one tomorrow. I felt fine at the time the blood work was done so it can't be an issue everything says at that level you'd be shaky and sweaty and I was not. I'm certain my Dr is gonna freak out though which is gonna be kind of annoying.

bametels

It's also possible that the result is indeed a lab error.

I assume that your doctor will want to run the test again. In the meantime, if you pick up a meter and check for yourself, you will have a better sense of whether this was an error or if it may be a valid result. If it looks like it's potentially valid, I would suggest that you make an appointment to see the doctor so she or he can help you sort this out.

auntstephie321

Thanks that's my plan for tomorrow new meter and test throughout the day to see if it's an error. I have an appt with my endo next Thursday so I'm sure we'll discuss it then

RalfLott

Aha! You've got an endo appt already lined up, so whatever your doctor says, you can say you're on it.

If it helps, you can tell him you'll carry some Smarties around, but you don't have to eat them

A couple thoughts:

Meters - Since there aren't any Hello Kitty monitors available (even on eBay ), here are the top 3 recommendations by Consumer Reports and Dr. Bernstein:

*Contour Next EZ
*Free Style Freedom
*Free style Freedom Lite

I like the Contour Next EZ, with Contour Next strips. They're relatively cheap, accurate, consistent, and fast. (But don't get the plain old Contour - it's inconsistent and the strips are more expensive.)

Insurance - If you're doctor is on board with testing and he's willing to write a prescription/statement of need for a specific monitor with a specific number of strips per day/month - Medicare, and many other insurance companies that follow Medicare's lead, may cover the meter, blood glucose strips, and (hold onto your hat...), those pricey blood ketone strips.

You'd need a meter for the ketone strips - you can order the Precision Xtra at Costco for under $20. Those are the best steps for home blood ketone testing, but they're expensive out of pocket.

Note - Insurance will likely require you to order these supplies from a durable medical goods supplier. I use Libertymedical.com, which is good about shuffling the paperwork between your doctor and insurance carrier and getting your supplies to you in just a couple of days.

Good luck - keep us posted!

auntstephie321

Thanks @ralflott must be my lucky day. I went to the pharmacy next to my work and because they don't sell the meters they are for filing scripts, they gave me the contour next ez for free. I tested just now which is about 2 hours after eating and it was 88 which seems like a good number. I'll see what happens before and after lunch

RalfLott

auntstephie321 wrote: »

Thanks @ralflott must be my lucky day. I went to the pharmacy next to my work and because they don't sell the meters they are for filing scripts, they gave me the contour next ez for free. I tested just now which is about 2 hours after eating and it was 88 which seems like a good number. I'll see what happens before and after lunch

Great! 88 is more than a good number 2 hours after a meal - it's pretty much perfect!

Petting kitties helps every health metric I know of. Obviously it's working in your case.

auntstephie321

now I'm thinking the lab screwed up which makes me question all my other numbers as well. so far today
I had breakfast at 8:30 protein powder and oats
didn't test till 10:30 when I got the meter and it was 88
before lunch at 2 pm it was 79 ate 4 oz sirloin with salad and Italian dressing
went for a 30 min walk
at 3 pm it was 100
and at 4pm was 82

all totally perfectly normal and I think pretty darn good

RalfLott

Sounds distinctly normal to me - congrats!

Sunny_Bunny_

I can't figure out how it could've been that low without the use of insulin OR having ketones around 3.0 OR you would've felt hypo if it were from overproduction of endogenous insulin and you'd be having them regularly. That doesn't make sense either since you weren't even fasting.

Those are the only things I am aware of that could drive it that low.
It really seems like it must've been a mistake.

auntstephie321

Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »

I can't figure out how it could've been that low without the use of insulin OR having ketones around 3.0 OR you would've felt hypo if it were from overproduction of endogenous insulin and you'd be having them regularly. That doesn't make sense either since you weren't even fasting.

Those are the only things I am aware of that could drive it that low.
It really seems like it must've been a mistake.

Yeah I'm kinda annoyed by it cuz now I question my other numbers as well. I feel like they should give a partial refund to my insurance company lol