Not weight related.. But I'd like some feedback.

plantbasedbreezy
plantbasedbreezy Posts: 33 Member
edited September 25 in Health and Weight Loss
Okay! so it's April 1st, which is supposed to be a fun day... Not for me.

I had a doctor appointment today to go over my blood tests (I have PCOS). On the upside, my hormones are stabilizing and have come down to an acceptable level.

On the other hand... My doctor had asked me to try to lower my cholesterol... (it was at 203 in Sept.). Although I have been trying to watch my fat intake, my cholesterol has gone UP!

HELP!!! I need ways to lower this! She is giving me 3 months to try on my own... and then she is going to check again. If there is no significant drop, she wants me to think about going on medication to lower it! I'm only 27 years old... I am not ready to go on cholesterol meds just yet.

Also, she's upping my Metformin dosage... that means more weight loss.. but not the way I want to do it. Hopefully it will help with the cholesterol though...

Replies

  • Awineburg
    Awineburg Posts: 196
    One word... Oatmeal! I hear it works wonders! Does the Metformin help you lose weight?
  • JPod279
    JPod279 Posts: 722 Member
    Can you open your diary to let people see what you eat? The basics are more things like oatmeal, Cheerios, etc... Watch your red meat intake. Hard to give advice without being able to see your eating habits.
  • gameovergt
    gameovergt Posts: 502
    turkey instead of red meat
  • cindy859
    cindy859 Posts: 99 Member
    How about trying some oatmeal for breakfast in the morning and cutting way back on red meat. Hopefully that will help you out.
  • That_Girl
    That_Girl Posts: 1,324 Member
    Go vegetarian.
  • bmreed0920
    bmreed0920 Posts: 139 Member
    Cut out eggs. If you want eggs only eat 2 in a week. Lean meat and try to cut back on red meat. I have high cholestrol and did that but its gentic in my family so I am on Niaspan 1000 mg. Also try eating more fish or taking OTC fish pills. Get the ones that dont make you burp. I try to limit my intake to 200 mg a day but sometimes it doesnt work. You might also try upping your fiber intake. I dont know why this works but it does. Good luck.
  • jalovec
    jalovec Posts: 62
    Like everyone has said, oatmeal! You could increase your fiber. Also, you could take omega 3's- the good fats.
  • DJJW
    DJJW Posts: 519 Member
    There are foods that will naturally lower cholestrol...now how much you're supposed to eat you would have to research that, but example, avacodoes, mushrooms (i think) oat bran.

    As for Metaphormine...I was on it for YEARS and it actually plateaued me after the first couple of weeks to where I couldn't loose, went off it and the pounds started coming off again (but I am no doctor, just my personal experiance)

    Props to you for taking it in your own hands before they start dosing you!:smile:
  • plantbasedbreezy
    plantbasedbreezy Posts: 33 Member
    I don't eat red meat, generally. I always use ground turkey instead of beef. And i have things like bacon or ham very infrequently. I know I need to cut out things like sour cream.. and I'm trying to avoid cheese now.

    Yes, Metformin makes you lose weight. Though I don't like the side effects when having to get used to it.

    Seriously thinking about going back to being a Veg-Head for the next 3 months...

    I'll open up my diary so you all can see my habits.

    Thank you all for your input and constructive criticism. I appreciate it.
  • britt_fit
    britt_fit Posts: 169
    There's hope! My dad had high cholesterol and he lowered it on diet alone and hasn't had to go on medication. Look at foods that have cholesterol in them, so any animal products (meats, eggs, milk, etc). Make sure you try to limit those and stick to regular portion sizes of meat (3-4 oz or the size and thickness of a deck of cards). Whole grains and the fiber that's in them are great too (like oatmeal or any whole grain breads, including popcorn!) Eating nuts as also been shown to lower cholesterol. I've heard a handful a few times a week makes a difference. Good luck!
  • LisaLN
    LisaLN Posts: 54
    Oatmeal...whole grain EVERYTHING...avoid regular eggs (use Egg Beaters)...avoid saturated fats, etc. I did this and lowered mine significantly. It was 238 at one point and now I'm in the 180's. I also have a family history of high cholesterol. So it's really not just what I was eating. It's genetic for me.

    Good luck to you!
  • AngiMoss
    AngiMoss Posts: 77
    I agree with everyone above that a lot of it can be controlled with diet, but if you get to the point where you need a little boost, I remember reading about these caramel chews on the Hungry Girl website.

    http://www.amazon.com/Benecol-Smart-Chews-Caramel-120-Count/dp/B000NBQUNW

    I don't have any experience with them myself. Maybe see what you can do with diet alone, since these are $20-$30 bucks for a month (or less) supply. Just thought it worth mentioning. Good luck!
  • tandroes
    tandroes Posts: 163 Member
    My mom needs to lower hers too so she has been eating oatmeal every single morning and eats high fiber cereal for an evening snack and we have fish for dinner a few times a week... i'm not sure if it has helped yet because she hasn't had another dr appt, but it sounds like these are some of the important things to eat to lower it
  • dismanteld
    dismanteld Posts: 11
    metformin is for diabetes, not for weight loss. if your already on metformin, ask your doctor to put you on byetta as well, it is an injectable that is used to control diabetes but it has a side effect of appetite suppression. it really is a good med to add to your efforts.
  • jantim1990
    jantim1990 Posts: 48 Member
    My suggestion would be to increase your fiber intake as much as you can.
  • kacarter1017
    kacarter1017 Posts: 651 Member
    One thing... what is the breakdown of your total cholesterol? Not to get picky, but you have 2 cholesterol numbers that make up your total- the HDL(Happy cholesterol) and the LDL (Lousy cholesterol). The HDL is heart protective and should be above 50 in a woman. If your HDL is higher, that's good. The LDL is the part we worry about. If that's above probably 100-130 for you, that's high.

    So, if your HDL is 90 and your LDL is 117, your Total is 207, but both numbers are within accepted range. But, if your HDL is 30 and your LDL is 167, you're still at 207 and both are out of range. Do you see the problem with knowing only the one number?

    You can increase your HDL by exercise. You can decrease your LDL by eating multigrain, complex carbs; lean meats, beans, lots of veggies- basically follow MFP's guidelines. Exercise will be just as important if not more so to get the HDL up and the LDL down.

    Good Luck!!
  • plantbasedbreezy
    plantbasedbreezy Posts: 33 Member
    Just so that you all know... I am NOT diabetic! I am on Metformin for my PCOS. It helps women with this condition to have regular cycles... and weight loss is merely a side effect.
  • currlygirrl
    currlygirrl Posts: 82 Member
    Have you thought about any supplements like Omega 3's?
  • JanerZzz
    JanerZzz Posts: 276
    I think you aren't eating horrible, but I think your diet could use some real, natural food sprucing up. Whole grain (not just whole wheat), add oatmeal...like steel cut to get the full benefit. Eat more fiber which is in veggies. You may be scared, but with the right changes you'll prove your doctor wrong! People have concured an onset of diabetes by adopting a healthy life style. You can definitely do this! You exersice and you have the right attitude. Good Luck girly! We're all cheering you on :)
  • Losing2Live69
    Losing2Live69 Posts: 743 Member
    I am diabetic too. I also have high cholesterol. No matter what I eat my cholesterol is always high. It is because of the diabetes. The two are directly connected. It is not how you are eating. Here is a web article about it. I never knew the link between the two. I am on two different meds for my cholesterol. I couldn't bring it down on my own....I tried and tried. Going on meds for it isn't a bad thing. I am on metformin along with the cholesterol meds. I hope this help ease your mind a bit. Everything is going to be ok....:wink:

    http://cholesterol.about.com/lw/Health-Medicine/Conditions-and-diseases/The-Dangers-of-High-Cholesterol-If-You-Have-Diabetes.htm

    Angela:flowerforyou:
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