My recent blood work...cholesterol rose significantly
Gingergal12
Posts: 64 Member
Five years ago when I went through menopause my fasting blood glucose level, weight and cholesterol rose since the previous year. We’ve monitored it and I’ve been successful in losing weight and getting reading back in line. Yesterday I had a doctor’s appointment and my cholesterol level was 277 up from 203 in October yet my weight was down 6 pounds and my A1C was 5.4 from 5.8. I was shocked at the cholesterol level.
Has anyone else have the cholesterol number significantly up while losing weight and fixing insulin resistance?
Has anyone else have the cholesterol number significantly up while losing weight and fixing insulin resistance?
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Replies
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Yes I’ve heard that during fat loss your cholesterol can increase but I don’t remember the reason. Mine has been increasing over the last 3 years as I have lost 97 lbs (although not that drastically). Maybe others can give us more information?3
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During my weight loss and before, I had very high cholesterol as well. I lost 20-30 lbs and my ldls were still too high and my hdls were too low. However, once my journey was finished and switched to maintaining weight, my cholesterol dropped 100 points! It might be the same for you, I don't have insulin resistance issues, but I have a family history of high cholesterol levels.
Has your doctor recommended a meal plan to sort this out? I mean, I still ate cholesterol dense foods like meats and protein powders and my levels still dropped, and have stayed down to this day.7 -
It is a result of metabolizing your body's fat and is usually only temporary; that is, it generally comes down again once tour weight stabilizes.5
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I've had a high cholesterol reading during weight loss and when I went to get retested a couple months later while maintaining my weight by reading came out a lot better. First reading was 205+ and the next one was 125. Im type 2 diabetic, controlled by diet (LCHF) and exercise.3
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Thank you for the responses. My doctor prescribed a low dose of Crestor 5mg, twice a weekbut otherwise approved of my diet. We will recheck it at my physical at the end of November.0
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I eat 0 (literally) cholesterol on a plant -based diet. I think you should be able to get that down quickly and stay off meds with a few small changes. Meat (including chicken and fish), dairy and eggs are highest.32
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No. When I was a vegan I had the highest cholesterol levels in my life. When I return to eating meat my cholesterol went down significantly.15
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Dietary cholesterol has very little effect on blood cholesterol levels, which may be why your doctor didn’t recommend any dietary changes. Weight loss and exercise have a much greater effect. Are you exercising regularly?23
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Sometimes high cholesterol is genetic too10
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concordancia wrote: »It is a result of metabolizing your body's fat and is usually only temporary; that is, it generally comes down again once tour weight stabilizes.
That makes sense - the saturated fat you get from meat is one of the biggest causes of rising cholesterol. I would guess out fat is largely saturated fat also.13 -
When I was losing >50lbs my bloodwork didn't show a magnificent improvement as I had hoped. I thought perhaps that as your body is consuming its fat stores it made sense that your bloodstream would be off loading stuff (fat by products) too. Of course menopause puts another complex variable into the mix.0
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My cholesterol also increased from borderline high to high after I lost 50 lbs, going from a BMI of 30 to a BMI of under 23. I feel that’s very unfair! I’m about to see a specialist about it, so I don’t yet have recommendations on how to manage it.1
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Total cholesterol indicates almost nothing. How were your triglycerides and HDL? You want a high HDL, which helps raise total cholesterol, and a lowish triglycerides. If you do include LDL, you need to look at particle size, otherwise it is fairly meaningless.... So many doctors don't seem to know this!
One of the easiest ways to reduce triglycerides and raise HDL, is to exercise, and cut refined carbs and sugars, as well as other grains and sugary fruit. Diets high in meats, eggs, dairy, seafood, veggies and some fruit almost always result in better cholesterol and tri's, and improved blood glucose too - low carb intake results in low blood glucose. The only people who should not eat that way to correct cholesterol and BG are those with familial hypercholesterolemia, and that is a small minority.
This is an interesting video on how to improve cholesterol within days.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jZu52duIqno 9 -
I eat 0 (literally) cholesterol on a plant -based diet. I think you should be able to get that down quickly and stay off meds with a few small changes. Meat (including chicken and fish), dairy and eggs are highest.
I have a genetic cholesterol disorder and had it even when thin, I eat meat and dairy and was able to bring it down eating low fat,low cholesterol,high fiber and I have to take meds.so for some staying off meds is not always going to happen. mine was high even when taking other meds in the past and eating less meat and dairy.its going to vary per person,and it depends on if their high cholesterol is due to diet,meds, or certain health issues.thyroid issues can also cause high cholesterol and yes when losing weight it can go up. if it keeps going up then you need to be tested to see if its genetic or not. genetic cholesterol is nothing to fool with either and can cause severe health risks if not treated.3 -
Dietary cholesterol has very little effect on blood cholesterol levels, which may be why your doctor didn’t recommend any dietary changes. Weight loss and exercise have a much greater effect. Are you exercising regularly?
depends on if its genetic or not. even with the above changes sometimes it doesnt make a difference and continues to raise.0 -
Total cholesterol indicates almost nothing. How were your triglycerides and HDL? You want a high HDL, which helps raise total cholesterol, and a lowish triglycerides. If you do include LDL, you need to look at particle size, otherwise it is fairly meaningless.... So many doctors don't seem to know this!
One of the easiest ways to reduce triglycerides and raise HDL, is to exercise, and cut refined carbs and sugars, as well as other grains and sugary fruit. Diets high in meats, eggs, dairy, seafood, veggies and some fruit almost always result in better cholesterol and tri's, and improved blood glucose too - low carb intake results in low blood glucose. The only people who should not eat that way to correct cholesterol and BG are those with familial hypercholesterolemia, and that is a small minority.
This is an interesting video on how to improve cholesterol within days.https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jZu52duIqno
Weight loss results in lower triglycerides alone and improved metabolic markers. And the only universally acknowledged nutrition thing is the fact that fruits and veggies improve metabolic markers and health. Suggesting to cut it out is a bit short sighted.6 -
You were shocked at the cholesterol level and are asking the opinions of others, but what did your doctor say? Were they shocked? Have they ever seen this before? What recommendations did they give you?6
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Cholesterol issues don't have one size fits all answers except to maintain a healthy weight, exercise, and eat plenty of veggies and fruits.
Your situation with recent weight loss, your genetics, and other factors might have affected your results. What did your doctor say?3 -
Don't eat processed crap. Eggs and other animal based fats aren't bad. Saturated fat isnt bad and neithe is dietary cholesterol12
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I found with me, that my overall cholesterol levels were best determined by whether I was exercising or not, if I'm exercising my levels were low, when I wasn't, they were high, with no change at all to my diet.2
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Well, I was shocked because my diet and exercise habits had been really good. My doctor contributed it to the loss of estrogen due to menopause and was pleased the A1C was in a healthy range and weight loss He has me on a low dose statin and will re-evaluate in November.
The reason I am asking is to see if other people (or specifically 60 year old women) have experienced anything similar. Thank you for all of the helpful comments.0 -
I wonder if its more likely low progesterone, ovaries still produce oestrogen for a fair time after menopause. Progesterone should cut in to produce the luteal phase, but often doesn't this accounts for may extended cycles. It is also involved in many menopausal symptoms and postmenopausal weight gain.
Its also possible for someone to experience some endocrine issue which prompts greater production of cholesterol. Pardon me for simply thinking.2 -
Gingergal12 wrote: »Well, I was shocked because my diet and exercise habits had been really good. My doctor contributed it to the loss of estrogen due to menopause and was pleased the A1C was in a healthy range and weight loss He has me on a low dose statin and will re-evaluate in November.
The reason I am asking is to see if other people (or specifically 60 year old women) have experienced anything similar. Thank you for all of the helpful comments.
What do your other numbers look like? Particularly, your triglycerides and Cholesterol/HDL ratio?2 -
Total cholesterol indicates almost nothing. How were your triglycerides and HDL? You want a high HDL, which helps raise total cholesterol, and a lowish triglycerides. If you do include LDL, you need to look at particle size, otherwise it is fairly meaningless.... So many doctors don't seem to know this!
One of the easiest ways to reduce triglycerides and raise HDL, is to exercise, and cut refined carbs and sugars, as well as other grains and sugary fruit. Diets high in meats, eggs, dairy, seafood, veggies and some fruit almost always result in better cholesterol and tri's, and improved blood glucose too - low carb intake results in low blood glucose. The only people who should not eat that way to correct cholesterol and BG are those with familial hypercholesterolemia, and that is a small minority.
This is an interesting video on how to improve cholesterol within days.https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jZu52duIqno
Weight loss results in lower triglycerides alone and improved metabolic markers. And the only universally acknowledged nutrition thing is the fact that fruits and veggies improve metabolic markers and health. Suggesting to cut it out is a bit short sighted.
I did not recommend that though... I said cut (not elimate) refined carbs and sugars, as well as other grains and sugary fruit. Those are universally thought to negatively affect metabolic markers and health for the typical person ( perhaps with sugary fruit being the exception for some).
Carbs generaly raise triglycerides and lower HDL in most people. YMMV4 -
Gingergal12 wrote: »Well, I was shocked because my diet and exercise habits had been really good. My doctor contributed it to the loss of estrogen due to menopause and was pleased the A1C was in a healthy range and weight loss He has me on a low dose statin and will re-evaluate in November.
The reason I am asking is to see if other people (or specifically 60 year old women) have experienced anything similar. Thank you for all of the helpful comments.
Statins are not preventative of health problems in most post menopausal women. There are some really good cholesterol and station books out there that say pretty much the same thing.
If you were a middle aged man who had already had a heart attack, statins could be helpful. In older women, lower cholesterol is associated with increased mortality, from what I have read.
I would do your own research and talk with your doctor about it.
... And get you triglycerides and HDL tested.2 -
Total cholesterol indicates almost nothing. How were your triglycerides and HDL? You want a high HDL, which helps raise total cholesterol, and a lowish triglycerides. If you do include LDL, you need to look at particle size, otherwise it is fairly meaningless.... So many doctors don't seem to know this!
One of the easiest ways to reduce triglycerides and raise HDL, is to exercise, and cut refined carbs and sugars, as well as other grains and sugary fruit. Diets high in meats, eggs, dairy, seafood, veggies and some fruit almost always result in better cholesterol and tri's, and improved blood glucose too - low carb intake results in low blood glucose. The only people who should not eat that way to correct cholesterol and BG are those with familial hypercholesterolemia, and that is a small minority.
This is an interesting video on how to improve cholesterol within days.https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jZu52duIqno
Weight loss results in lower triglycerides alone and improved metabolic markers. And the only universally acknowledged nutrition thing is the fact that fruits and veggies improve metabolic markers and health. Suggesting to cut it out is a bit short sighted.
I did not recommend that though... I said cut (not elimate) refined carbs and sugars, as well as other grains and sugary fruit. Those are universally thought to negatively affect metabolic markers and health for the typical person ( perhaps with sugary fruit being the exception for some).
Carbs generaly raise triglycerides and lower HDL in most people. YMMV
That is fairly ludicrous. You know how many plant based studies suggest otherwise? There are direct links to fruits, veggies and whole grains improving metabolic markers. Even Kevin Halls studies comparing Keto to LF/high sugar saw improvements in triglycerides, insulin, total cholesterol and pretty much every other markers. Don't confuse transient changes for long term effects. There is a reason why high carb societies are the healthiest on this planet. High sugar fruits like pineapple, bananas, apples and more aren't effecting you. Whole grains aren't either. What is is obesity and inactivity. No N=1 observation can ever disprove that. Because if we want, I can throw in my N=1 where my triglycerides went from 220 to 40.5 -
Total cholesterol indicates almost nothing. How were your triglycerides and HDL? You want a high HDL, which helps raise total cholesterol, and a lowish triglycerides. If you do include LDL, you need to look at particle size, otherwise it is fairly meaningless.... So many doctors don't seem to know this!
One of the easiest ways to reduce triglycerides and raise HDL, is to exercise, and cut refined carbs and sugars, as well as other grains and sugary fruit. Diets high in meats, eggs, dairy, seafood, veggies and some fruit almost always result in better cholesterol and tri's, and improved blood glucose too - low carb intake results in low blood glucose. The only people who should not eat that way to correct cholesterol and BG are those with familial hypercholesterolemia, and that is a small minority.
This is an interesting video on how to improve cholesterol within days.https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jZu52duIqno
Weight loss results in lower triglycerides alone and improved metabolic markers. And the only universally acknowledged nutrition thing is the fact that fruits and veggies improve metabolic markers and health. Suggesting to cut it out is a bit short sighted.
I did not recommend that though... I said cut (not elimate) refined carbs and sugars, as well as other grains and sugary fruit. Those are universally thought to negatively affect metabolic markers and health for the typical person ( perhaps with sugary fruit being the exception for some).
Carbs generaly raise triglycerides and lower HDL in most people. YMMV
That is fairly ludicrous. You know how many plant based studies suggest otherwise? There are direct links to fruits, veggies and whole grains improving metabolic markers. Even Kevin Halls studies comparing Keto to LF/high sugar saw improvements in triglycerides, insulin, total cholesterol and pretty much every other markers. Don't confuse transient changes for long term effects. There is a reason why high carb societies are the healthiest on this planet. High sugar fruits like pineapple, bananas, apples and more aren't effecting you. Whole grains aren't either. What is is obesity and inactivity. No N=1 observation can ever disprove that. Because if we want, I can throw in my N=1 where my triglycerides went from 220 to 40.Total cholesterol indicates almost nothing. How were your triglycerides and HDL? You want a high HDL, which helps raise total cholesterol, and a lowish triglycerides. If you do include LDL, you need to look at particle size, otherwise it is fairly meaningless.... So many doctors don't seem to know this!
One of the easiest ways to reduce triglycerides and raise HDL, is to exercise, and cut refined carbs and sugars, as well as other grains and sugary fruit. Diets high in meats, eggs, dairy, seafood, veggies and some fruit almost always result in better cholesterol and tri's, and improved blood glucose too - low carb intake results in low blood glucose. The only people who should not eat that way to correct cholesterol and BG are those with familial hypercholesterolemia, and that is a small minority.
This is an interesting video on how to improve cholesterol within days.https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jZu52duIqno
Weight loss results in lower triglycerides alone and improved metabolic markers. And the only universally acknowledged nutrition thing is the fact that fruits and veggies improve metabolic markers and health. Suggesting to cut it out is a bit short sighted.
I did not recommend that though... I said cut (not elimate) refined carbs and sugars, as well as other grains and sugary fruit. Those are universally thought to negatively affect metabolic markers and health for the typical person ( perhaps with sugary fruit being the exception for some).
Carbs generaly raise triglycerides and lower HDL in most people. YMMV
That is fairly ludicrous. You know how many plant based studies suggest otherwise? There are direct links to fruits, veggies and whole grains improving metabolic markers. Even Kevin Halls studies comparing Keto to LF/high sugar saw improvements in triglycerides, insulin, total cholesterol and pretty much every other markers. Don't confuse transient changes for long term effects. There is a reason why high carb societies are the healthiest on this planet. High sugar fruits like pineapple, bananas, apples and more aren't effecting you. Whole grains aren't either. What is is obesity and inactivity. No N=1 observation can ever disprove that. Because if we want, I can throw in my N=1 where my triglycerides went from 220 to 40.
I was referring the carbs I already mentioned - mainly refined carbs and sugars. I thought I had made it clear which carbs I was talking about.
And I know that LFHC diets like Ornish can improve markers, but those diets are usually low in refined carbs too. Both LCHF and HCLF seem to work well. Higher fat and higher carb, usually refined carbs, seems like the least healthful choice.2 -
Gingergal12 wrote: »Well, I was shocked because my diet and exercise habits had been really good. My doctor contributed it to the loss of estrogen due to menopause and was pleased the A1C was in a healthy range and weight loss He has me on a low dose statin and will re-evaluate in November.
The reason I am asking is to see if other people (or specifically 60 year old women) have experienced anything similar. Thank you for all of the helpful comments.
What do your other numbers look like? Particularly, your triglycerides and Cholesterol/HDL ratio?
0 -
Triglycerides were high and ratio was not good, don’t have numbers because I’m traveling0
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Total cholesterol indicates almost nothing. How were your triglycerides and HDL? You want a high HDL, which helps raise total cholesterol, and a lowish triglycerides. If you do include LDL, you need to look at particle size, otherwise it is fairly meaningless.... So many doctors don't seem to know this!
One of the easiest ways to reduce triglycerides and raise HDL, is to exercise, and cut refined carbs and sugars, as well as other grains and sugary fruit. Diets high in meats, eggs, dairy, seafood, veggies and some fruit almost always result in better cholesterol and tri's, and improved blood glucose too - low carb intake results in low blood glucose. The only people who should not eat that way to correct cholesterol and BG are those with familial hypercholesterolemia, and that is a small minority.
This is an interesting video on how to improve cholesterol within days.https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jZu52duIqno
Weight loss results in lower triglycerides alone and improved metabolic markers. And the only universally acknowledged nutrition thing is the fact that fruits and veggies improve metabolic markers and health. Suggesting to cut it out is a bit short sighted.
I did not recommend that though... I said cut (not elimate) refined carbs and sugars, as well as other grains and sugary fruit. Those are universally thought to negatively affect metabolic markers and health for the typical person ( perhaps with sugary fruit being the exception for some).
Carbs generaly raise triglycerides and lower HDL in most people. YMMV
That is fairly ludicrous. You know how many plant based studies suggest otherwise? There are direct links to fruits, veggies and whole grains improving metabolic markers. Even Kevin Halls studies comparing Keto to LF/high sugar saw improvements in triglycerides, insulin, total cholesterol and pretty much every other markers. Don't confuse transient changes for long term effects. There is a reason why high carb societies are the healthiest on this planet. High sugar fruits like pineapple, bananas, apples and more aren't effecting you. Whole grains aren't either. What is is obesity and inactivity. No N=1 observation can ever disprove that. Because if we want, I can throw in my N=1 where my triglycerides went from 220 to 40.Total cholesterol indicates almost nothing. How were your triglycerides and HDL? You want a high HDL, which helps raise total cholesterol, and a lowish triglycerides. If you do include LDL, you need to look at particle size, otherwise it is fairly meaningless.... So many doctors don't seem to know this!
One of the easiest ways to reduce triglycerides and raise HDL, is to exercise, and cut refined carbs and sugars, as well as other grains and sugary fruit. Diets high in meats, eggs, dairy, seafood, veggies and some fruit almost always result in better cholesterol and tri's, and improved blood glucose too - low carb intake results in low blood glucose. The only people who should not eat that way to correct cholesterol and BG are those with familial hypercholesterolemia, and that is a small minority.
This is an interesting video on how to improve cholesterol within days.https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jZu52duIqno
Weight loss results in lower triglycerides alone and improved metabolic markers. And the only universally acknowledged nutrition thing is the fact that fruits and veggies improve metabolic markers and health. Suggesting to cut it out is a bit short sighted.
I did not recommend that though... I said cut (not elimate) refined carbs and sugars, as well as other grains and sugary fruit. Those are universally thought to negatively affect metabolic markers and health for the typical person ( perhaps with sugary fruit being the exception for some).
Carbs generaly raise triglycerides and lower HDL in most people. YMMV
That is fairly ludicrous. You know how many plant based studies suggest otherwise? There are direct links to fruits, veggies and whole grains improving metabolic markers. Even Kevin Halls studies comparing Keto to LF/high sugar saw improvements in triglycerides, insulin, total cholesterol and pretty much every other markers. Don't confuse transient changes for long term effects. There is a reason why high carb societies are the healthiest on this planet. High sugar fruits like pineapple, bananas, apples and more aren't effecting you. Whole grains aren't either. What is is obesity and inactivity. No N=1 observation can ever disprove that. Because if we want, I can throw in my N=1 where my triglycerides went from 220 to 40.
I was referring the carbs I already mentioned - mainly refined carbs and sugars. I thought I had made it clear which carbs I was talking about.
And I know that LFHC diets like Ornish can improve markers, but those diets are usually low in refined carbs too. Both LCHF and HCLF seem to work well. Higher fat and higher carb, usually refined carbs, seems like the least healthful choice.
Even those don't have impacts unless you are gaining weight. They probably arent doing you favors, but its no different than fried fats and baked goods. Singling the carbs is a bit ahort sighted.
Ultimately, a person should eat a well balanced diet that enables fat loss, followee by exercise. Unsaturated fats, lean proteins and fibrous carbs will have the most improvements.4
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