how did my cholesterol go up???

SarahR1984
SarahR1984 Posts: 212
edited November 12 in Food and Nutrition
So last year my cholesterol was:
LDL:84.6
HDL:40
Total:147

Same time this year:
LDL:127
HDL:44.8
Total:201

Guideline provided by Insurance:
LDL:<100
HDL:>60
Total: <200

I am 5'7" and over the past year went from 184 to 148lbs. I started eating a lot healthier and added some exercise, did 1200-1400 cals for about 8 months. I am currently 35 weeks pregnant and have gained 34lbs so far, with gestational diabetes. So the past 2 months I have been eating very healthy and actually lost 6 lbs. I am back to 182, but most of my weight appears to be in my middle:)

So my question is how did I eat better than ever before for this year and exercise more than ever and my cholesteral went up that much? I've added some good nuts/olive oil in an attempt to raise my HDL, which I did a little. I am so confused! How do I get it down???

Any thoughts appreciated! Thanks:)

Replies

  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    Of course, check with your doctor, but some things that work to aid it are fish oil, flax seed, fiber and niacin. My MIL has had really great success using niacin. I had great success with fish oil. Each person is different, but maybe something will help?
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    "Elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels are common during pregnancy.1, 2 For this reason, most obstetricians do not recommend cholesterol testing during pregnancy.3 These changes in lipid profiles appear to be because of hormones. "
    1. Qureshi IA, Xi XR, Limbu YR, Bin HY, Chen MI "Hyperlipidaemia during normal pregnancy, parturition and lactation." Ann Acad Med Singapore 1999 Mar 28(2): 217-21
    2. Kalllio MJ, Silmes MA, Perheentup J, Salmenpera L, Miettinen TA "Serum cholesterol and lipoprotein concentrations in mothers during and after prolonged exclusive lactation." Metabolism 1992 Dec 42(12): 1327-30
    3. "Cholesterol levels and the breastfeeding mom." JAMA 262 #15 2092 Oct 20 1989
    http://www.drgourmet.com/pregnancy/cholesterol.shtml

    Hope this helps.
  • PaleoPath4Lyfe
    PaleoPath4Lyfe Posts: 3,161 Member
    So last year my cholesterol was:
    LDL:84.6
    HDL:40
    Total:147

    Same time this year:
    LDL:127
    HDL:44.8
    Total:201

    Guideline provided by Insurance:
    LDL:<100
    HDL:>60
    Total: <200

    I am 5'7" and over the past year went from 184 to 148lbs. I started eating a lot healthier and added some exercise, did 1200-1400 cals for about 8 months. I am currently 35 weeks pregnant and have gained 34lbs so far, with gestational diabetes. So the past 2 months I have been eating very healthy and actually lost 6 lbs. I am back to 182, but most of my weight appears to be in my middle:)

    So my question is how did I eat better than ever before for this year and exercise more than ever and my cholesteral went up that much? I've added some good nuts/olive oil in an attempt to raise my HDL, which I did a little. I am so confused! How do I get it down???

    Any thoughts appreciated! Thanks:)

    Too many carbs and not enough fat will cause this. The only real problem I see is that your LDL and HDL numbers need to inverse.

    Your HDL needs to dramatically increase and your LDL needs to decrease.

    The gestational diabetes is more than likely a big cause of this. A controlled carb eating plan needs to be in place so that you deliver a healthy baby.
  • Annmarie49
    Annmarie49 Posts: 84
    "Elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels are common during pregnancy.1, 2 For this reason, most obstetricians do not recommend cholesterol testing during pregnancy.3 These changes in lipid profiles appear to be because of hormones. "
    1. Qureshi IA, Xi XR, Limbu YR, Bin HY, Chen MI "Hyperlipidaemia during normal pregnancy, parturition and lactation." Ann Acad Med Singapore 1999 Mar 28(2): 217-21
    2. Kalllio MJ, Silmes MA, Perheentup J, Salmenpera L, Miettinen TA "Serum cholesterol and lipoprotein concentrations in mothers during and after prolonged exclusive lactation." Metabolism 1992 Dec 42(12): 1327-30
    3. "Cholesterol levels and the breastfeeding mom." JAMA 262 #15 2092 Oct 20 1989
    http://www.drgourmet.com/pregnancy/cholesterol.shtml

    Hope this helps.
    ditto..... I agree
    also your gestational diabetes will increase your LDL significantly. It should resolve after the pregnancy, however, it can take up to 3 months post partum.
    I cannot comment on the 'insurance' guidelines as I live in the UK and they are not relevant (yet!!!)
    hope this helps.
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    "Elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels are common during pregnancy.1, 2 For this reason, most obstetricians do not recommend cholesterol testing during pregnancy.3 These changes in lipid profiles appear to be because of hormones. "
    1. Qureshi IA, Xi XR, Limbu YR, Bin HY, Chen MI "Hyperlipidaemia during normal pregnancy, parturition and lactation." Ann Acad Med Singapore 1999 Mar 28(2): 217-21
    2. Kalllio MJ, Silmes MA, Perheentup J, Salmenpera L, Miettinen TA "Serum cholesterol and lipoprotein concentrations in mothers during and after prolonged exclusive lactation." Metabolism 1992 Dec 42(12): 1327-30
    3. "Cholesterol levels and the breastfeeding mom." JAMA 262 #15 2092 Oct 20 1989
    http://www.drgourmet.com/pregnancy/cholesterol.shtml

    Hope this helps.
    This.
  • SarahR1984
    SarahR1984 Posts: 212
    thanks, that is good to know, becuase I was so confused! lol, I am on a controlled carb diet and just recenlty insulin once a day. I have eaten exactly what the diabetic nutritionist told me to! So glad to know it's the pregnancy!

    It's stupid that they had to test this during pregnancy and get me all worked up for nothing! They tested my fasting blood glucose too, even after I just failed my 3 hour glucose test a month ago. Oh well, can't wait to get back to normal and see some better results of my healthy eating!

    Thanks for the info!!!!
  • Sharonks
    Sharonks Posts: 884 Member
    It sounds like you are taking good care of yourself and baby. Be aware that if you have gestational diabetes you will probably have it with subsequent pregnancies and will likely develop type 2 later in life. I added glucose testing to my yearly tests. I finally was diagnosed 12 years after my first pregnancy. T2 really doesn't have anything to do with weight but with other malfunctions in your body. Keeping it in good control with diet, exercise, and meds, if needed, will help prevent more damage so getting it caught early is important.
  • ShannonMpls
    ShannonMpls Posts: 1,936 Member
    Like everyone else said, it's because you're pregnant. Most doctors don't test cholesterol during pregnancy. If your insurance rates go up because of this, I'd ask for a re-test post-pregnancy. If you're planning to breastfeed, that leads to higher levels as well.

    Congrats on your pregnancy :)
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