Labs after weight loss. UGH!
DanniB423
Posts: 777 Member
After 3 years of avoiding the doctor and opening some can of worms about my health, I went last Friday for a check up and blood work. The doctor was very impressed with my 66 pound loss. My BP used to sit around 160/90. This trip it was 106/77. They just called me to tell me my blood work showed my cholesterol elevated. When I was 272 all of my labs were perfect and now at 206.. it was so disheartening to hear. I was obviously confused and she said the doctor did not want to take any real action at this time. She said to continue MFP and she will recheck in a year. I guess I am just bummed to hear it after all of my hard work. I am waiting for a call back from the nurse to hear just how elevated we are talking. She did not leave numbers on the messages. Also curious what exactly I need to change at this point. I eat 1500 calories in moderation. Any experience with this?
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I wouldn't worry about it - if it was really elevated they would want to start you on something. I'm not sure about the link you posted, but I would keep doing what you're doing. You'll likely see better numbers as time goes on!
ETA: Obviously, speak to the nurse about any thoughts/recommendations. But if the doc didn't want to take action as far as medication, you're probably okay.3 -
Wow, the same thing happened to me! The image you posted definitely makes me feel better and less concerned. I guess I'll see what happens with my next check-up.0
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I just found this article that might answer a few questions
http://www.livestrong.com/article/270989-does-green-tea-help-lower-cholesterol/
I remember reading another member talking about raised cholesterol levels after weight lose and some one responded by say its a common thing that happens and it will level out.0 -
I lost a lot of weight last year and my cholesterol numbers got slightly worse. The doctor told me to just keep doing what I was doing. Besides, once a person is over 50 the data show that higher cholesterol is better for them.
There was a time years ago when I was obese with good cholesterol numbers and started weightlifting quite intensely for a few months. During that time, my diet and weight didn't change but my cholesterol numbers got much better. I have resumed weight lifting this week so I'll see if this happens again when I get rechecked in August.0 -
My total cholesterol and triglycerides temporarily went up when I lost weight. After a year at maintenance, the levels fell. I have read several articles, such as the one you posted, that suggested that the fat lost is temporarily in the blood stream. I can't find any scientific journal articles either supporting or refuting this theory, but this has been my experience.1
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You should consider taking a fish or krill oil supplement. I take one along with a cholesterol medicine (I have elevated cholesterol and a bad family history of heart disease so the doctor put me on medicine early to get it down sooner).0
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Thank you everyone! I guess I will just keep on trucking, amp up my exercise ( which I never really do
) and try not to be too concerned. 0 -
Get the full lipid profile. Slightly elevated total cholesterol means nothing all by itself. What is Tot/ HDL ratio? Triglycerides? LDL/ HDL? You should be able to get a copy of the lab report on line. A slightly elevated total number by itself is nothing to be concerned about.0
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Congratulations on your weight loss! Your doctor is probably less concerned about your stats because you have lost so much. If they'd risen before your weight loss, it would be a totally different story.
A possible reason for your results:
Some people up fats for a variety of reasons when they cut calories. They feel fuller longer, they're cutting carb-heavy foods and replacing them with fattier foods like meat, whatever, etc. There is a down side to doing that. It will increase your triglycerides and cholesterol. It's all such a balancing act.0 -
Just keep doing what you're doing. Congrats on the weight loss!0
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Thank you all so much for the congratulations and encouragement
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I lost 80 lbs and my total cholesterol was worse too
It's still a problem 4 years later... very frustrating. Trigs are fine, it's just LDL that is too high. My HDL went up too, but it's a good thing - why does your doctor want your HDL lower? 0 -
I lost 80 lbs and my total cholesterol was worse too It's still a problem 4 years later... very frustrating. Trigs are fine, it's just LDL that is too high. My HDL went up too, but it's a good thing - why does your doctor want your HDL lower?
I am not sure? She said shoot for 100 and I'm at 172. Edit typo0 -
I lost 80 lbs and my total cholesterol was worse too It's still a problem 4 years later... very frustrating. Trigs are fine, it's just LDL that is too high. My HDL went up too, but it's a good thing - why does your doctor want your HDL lower?
According to this article, a high HDL may not necessarily be a good thing. (Took me by surprise.)
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Interesting - I was surprised when my LDL and total cholesterol spiked when they've always been low even at 267 lbs. I'm currently at 191 when I've always been in the 160-170's. Hopefully it will settle down!
edited - triglycerides actually went down 0 -
I'm surprised your doctor doesn't know that higher cholesterol/triglycerides while actively losing weight are perfectly normal and expected. Maybe he/she has forgotten that part of his/her medical training. You might remind the medical "professionals" about that. Once you reach your goal and have stabilized for about 6+ weeks, get another test. Your blood pressure seems a little on the low side, though.0
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Get the full lipid profile. Slightly elevated total cholesterol means nothing all by itself. What is Tot/ HDL ratio? Triglycerides? LDL/ HDL? You should be able to get a copy of the lab report on line. A slightly elevated total number by itself is nothing to be concerned about.
I was going to say this too. Ask the nurse to send you the whole report. It's possible for the ldl:hdl ratio to improve dramatically while total cholesterol goes up. "We just don't see heart disease in women with HDL>52," my doc said. My ldl &hdl were both 100, so my tot was borderline high, but the hdl was so good she wasn't concerned at all. More complete information may reassure you. Good luck & congrats on all you accomplished!0 -
Lol @ docs sometimes. I had a Compllete Metabolic prior to when I started losing weight this March and my doctor called and left a message saying: "Your cholesterol is at the top end, but the other numbers balance it out, so just ...you know...keep an eye out."
Yeah, it'll be super easy to "keep an eye" on numbers he didn't give me and the vague "you're probably fine" laissez faire methodology he's clearly using. Ugh.0
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