Got the Test Results today..Not what I expected. (health)

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In fact the results were disturbing.

Triglycerides 3,876

Cholesterol 420

The sugar chart over time 12 (7 would have been much better)

Any one else have or have had such high triglycerides? How do you lower this stuff?

Thanks.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), December 13, 2001

Answers

WOW!!! I never heard of anyone with that high of trigly. Is he doing a drastic diet change or did he put you on medication right away? My brother-in-law had to do the meds cause he couldn't lower his but his weren't as high as yours. That's too bad. You'll have to be careful and get those down - did he mention or check you for diabetes?? Well, good luck - it won't be easy but what is?

-- Pat (mikulptrc@aol.com), December 13, 2001.

are you sure there wasn't a decimal place in there? What's the doc doint for you? Gleep.

-- Gailann Schrader (gtschrader@aol.com), December 13, 2001.

Kenneth, Have you talked to your doctor about your lab results? You need to be on a lowfat, low cholestrol diet and will need a cholestrol reducing agent, like zocor, lescol, lipitor. Your triglycerides are dangerously high. I am a lab tech and not many people have triglycerides that high. It can also reflect your blood sugar levels. Have you had a lipid profile, serum glucose and HgbA1c done. Your serum has to look like milk or cream. It can be lowered but you need to be on a special diet and perhaps take medicine for both your lipids and your sugar levels. If you are not seeing a doctor you better get to one NOW! Hope you get this taken care of soon.

-- Karen in Kansas (kansasgoats@iwon.com), December 13, 2001.

yes, mine have been that high and higher, mine is due to genetics and hypothyroidism. He gave me Tricor and it had it the chl down to normal and the Tri's nearly normal,in 6 weeks, but I couldn't tolerate the tricor any more, it gave me heartburn really bad and upset my stomach so I'm refusing to take it anymore. I've been trying to adjust my diet, but I have little willpower soooo, just had blood drawn yesterday and we'll see. I'm taking a new thyroid drug which is supposed to lower it naturally. My doc told me I couldn't eat 15 snickers bars a day and make those levels that high, there has to be another cause, could be just genetics though. Good Luck

-- Carol in Tx (cwaldrop@peoplescom.net), December 13, 2001.

YES I am a diabetic, I start lipitor tomorrow. YES on the HgbA1c test. NOPE no decimal point. (Be for sure I asked)

It took 5 trys to get any blood out. (Ouch my arm still hurts)

The Hgba1c was 12.0

Needless to say I was not expecting this result.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), December 13, 2001.



Kenneth We will keep you in our prayers.

-- charlie (charliesap@pldi.net), December 13, 2001.

IF you find that you can't alter your diet very easily--try to replace complex carbohydates with the white bread and white rice you are eating.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), December 13, 2001.

bland, no taste foods,, YUCK,, no fresh butter,, milk,,, any meat,, oatmeal ,, straight up,, no sugar,, no honey,, no jam,,, BLAH

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), December 13, 2001.

Ken, ask the doctor about Glipizide; I am type II with over 575 on the blood sugar count at first, now about 215 or 225 or points between after medication; still needs to be between 180 and 220 to be correct

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), December 13, 2001.

Take care Kenneth,,stick to your meds and get your health back on track,,,we care,,keep us posted,,,Patsy

-- Patsy, MT (cpc-1@care2.com), December 13, 2001.


Kenneth -- I don't know how one goes about trying to enter clinical trials (maybe someone else here does?) but with your results being as high as they are, it might be worth looking into. My father had dangerously high cholesterol and had gone through all of the diet-changing, exercise-adding, drug-taking regimens his doctor had on tap, with very little improvement. Then he was put on an experimental drug, and has been doing much better. Just a thought....

-- Christine (cytrowbridge@zianet.com), December 13, 2001.

My husband was diagnosed with diabetes and had super high cholestrol to, doctor told him he was a dead man walking!Scared my husband so bad that he walked EVERY night for at least one mile usualy two. Ate no red meat, just chicken and fish. a year latter his blood work was fine and the doctor said if it wasnt in his chart they would never no he was diabtic.Get a tread mill[ no excuse about weather] and walk, walk, walk.I can give you a list of good cook books if you like.

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), December 13, 2001.

My dad's triglyderides were higher than this not long ago. He told the dr. he knew what to do, didn't want to go on any meds. He went home and cut out all sugars and started eating less and losing weight and walking everyday. Went back in 3 months to be retested and all were in normal range. He is very disciplined. Some are too lazy and just want to pop a pill. Others are disciplined, but still need a pill. Everyone is different. Just take care of yourself.

-- conniein nm (karrelandconnie@msn.com), December 14, 2001.

Kenneth, with a HgA1C that high, you have diabetes, as it appears you were never diagnosed before, probably Type II. Silly question, but had you been fasting for at least 12 hours before the blood draw? Even if you had, a super high fat/carb meal (like over-doing Shoney's breakfast) could have seriously affected the lipids. However, the 12.0 is real. If you still need help with lipids (after a statin and/or gemfibrozil/Lopid) talk with your Doc about Niacin. Side effects CAN be handled, and it is very inexpensive-most people give up on it because of the early side effects. Diet-moderate carbs, lower fat roughly 55% carbs, 25% fats 20% proteins. Lots of aerobic (almost joggin-speed walking) exercise-45 mins 4-5 days a week. If you smoke-don't. If you have expanded your waistline- get it back down. Your numbers are bad, but at least you know what they are, and can work on getting them where they need to be. James E. Deweese, PA-C

-- Jim NE KY (jedeweese@earthlink.net), December 14, 2001.

Kenneth:

Really sorry to hear about your test results . . . but it sounds like you and your doctor are on top of things and can take care of it before the disease does irreprable harm.

I have diabetes in my own family, and I take are to be screened at least once a year. My wife, six months pregnant, has just had a blood test which tells us she probably has gestational diabetes. Don't panic, which meds, exercise and a modified diet, you will do fine. Take care and have a good day.

-- j.r. guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), December 14, 2001.



Oh now Stan, it doesn't have to be bland! Hot peppers lower your blood sugar! They are not bland. Cayenne is one of the things that my friend eats to regulate his. Also, oats can help and are great in a bread recipe. Any type of veggie or fruit will help. Will say a prayer for you too Kenneth. and they are right AT LEAST you know what you are dealing with.

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), December 14, 2001.

When I got ny diabetes type 2 under control my triglycerides went from 577 to @ 150. Triglycerides are made up of 3 sugar molecules to 1 fat molecule. My body was making the triglycerides in a vain attempt to bring down my blood sugar. I had TOLD my doctor that I was staying on my low fat diet but she didn't believe me and didn't check any further for anything until my triglycerides went so far up. (I have a new doctor now, needless to say!)

These are things that I wish I had known when I first started treatment for diabetes. I am on pills instead of insulin and you might be on insulin, so these suggestions may or may not apply

Don't skip the snacks or you will still be hungry after you finish the next scheduled meal. The snacks kill your appetite so that when you next sit down to eat you have an appetite but you are not famished. You will be much more comfortable if you DON'T skip any snacks. I find that a snack 2 hours BEFORE a meal is best for me. If you are on insulin the snacks also keep your blood sugar from getting to low.

Wheat products will stay with your system much longer than any other carbohydrate that I have found except possibly beans. If I take all of my carb exchanges as potatos, for instance, I WILL be hungry later that night.

All carbohydrates are NOT created equal! Wheat, beans, corn, and rice (in that order) will give you a much longer, slower burn than will potatos, fruit and milk. A long, slow release to your digestive tract means that you avoid sudden highs and lows of blood sugar, and you will feel MUCH better! I try to avoid more than one exchange of fruit or milk or potatos per meal, and I try to eat them late in the meal so they will mix with the food in my stomach, which will also slow down the way that they are digested.

If you stay on your diet for a month or more you will notice that you will feel more energetic, your work will become easier, you will feel better rested (not so many night time trips to the bathroom), and even your joy in life will increase. Also, those sudden, fierce cravings for large quantities of food will ease up. (At least it did for me - I had as much trouble with LOW blood sugar as with HIGH blood sugar! With better diet, I no longer get those low blood sugar "I'm starving-feed me NOW!" signals from my body!)

And last, but not least, I get as starving when my blood sugar is too high as I do when it is too low. If I am in doubt, I stick myself. If the blood sugar is too high, I run up the stairs a couple of times. This puts my metabolism up so that the extra blood sugar is used up and my blood sugar drops back into a comforable range. If I am lower than I should be, a couple of crackers does the trick. It IS an effort to only eat a COUPLE of crackers, but I don't eat more than that because I don't want my blood sugar to get too high, either. I just tell myself that I will feel better soon! I also have a couple of sugar packets in my purse in case I am in town and a meal gets delayed.

You have probably not been feeling very well lately, and now you are (justifiably) alarmed as well. It DOES get better, Your blood work WILL get better now that everyone knows what the problem is, you WILL be feeling more energetic when your body is back on track, you WILL get the hang of your new diet, and please feel free to e-mail me anytime you need to blow off steam or need to talk.

-- Terri (hooperterri@prodigy.net), December 14, 2001.


Was diagnosed diabetic in 1987.

Take 2 glucovance 5mg/500mg twice a day (maximum doseage) Take 1 Actos 45mg (max doseage) daily Take 1 Celebrex 200mg daily Take 1 Norvasc 10mg daily.

Now with the results of the test I am told I will be adding 3 more tabs a day.

Lazy? Hmmmm maybe. I do walk some but have problems with my feet.

Will I change my diet overnight? Probably not. I will make an effort to modify it some.

Thanks for the well wishes.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), December 14, 2001.


Ann Markson

I do not eat white bread or rice. I eat wheat bread and no rice. Lately we have abstained from red meat. We eat chicken. (Soon feathers will be growing) I suspect it has a lot to do with genetics.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), December 14, 2001.


Carol in Tx, what is the new thyroid med you're taking?

-- Mike (uyk7@hotmail.com), December 14, 2001.

Ken, the lab tech couldn't hardly get any blood out of your arm because your blood is the consistency of thick molasses because of all the lipids (fat) in your blood stream and system. Your are a heart attack or stroke waiting to happen.

You must really evaluate your lifestyle and diet, if you decide you would like to live to a ripe old age and improve your health, you will change your lifesyle radically. I had to do that to reduce my blood pressure down to acceptable levels, I refused to take the "easy" way out and take several medications the rest of my life or die of heart disease prematurely. And it worked.

An excellent book on lifestyle change (diet, exersise, stress reduction) is by noted cardiologist John A. McDougall M.D., "The McDougall Program, 12 Days to Dynamic Health". If you follow his simple step by step program, within 2 weeks you will have lab tests that prove that his program is working, as well as experience a marked improvement with how you feel and a dramatic decrease in joint pain.

You must follow a diet of no more than 15% total fat, and if you have joint pain at all, no animal products what so ever.

What have you got to lose from trying his approach?

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), December 14, 2001.


Kenneth you might want to read a book called Sugar Busters. They also have a web site at www.sugarbusters.com It is a low sugar plan. A lot of people who participate on the web are diabetic. A lot of guestions and answers and a lot of friendly people willing to help. Good luck, I also will remember you in my prayers. Dian in TN

-- Dian in TN (rhoffman@nctc.com), December 14, 2001.

Armour, it's from pigs

-- Carol in Tx (Carol_in_Tx2001@yahoo.com), December 14, 2001.

Kenneth, I'm sorry to hear about your test results. As far as changing your diet, I know from experience that it is a tough thing to do. The good news is that with a little effort and a little creative thinking, most dishes can be recreated in a version that is much lower in sugars and fat. To be sure, the healthier versions won't be exactly the same as the originals but are usually quite good. Sometimes the healthier versions are even better tasting. Once you learn the basics of low fat cooking, it's not that difficult to creat new versions of old favorites. I'd suggest finding a few good low fat cook books and looking through them for ideas. One book that I like is Farewell to Fat by Richard Simmons. Oprah Winfrey and her personal chef put out a cookbook a few years ago that also has some good ideas in it. I can't remember the name of that one though. I think it might be something like 'In the Kitchen with Rosie' but I'm not sure. If you have any diet related questions, feel free to e- mail me. I'll do my best to help. Best wishes.

-- Murray in ME (lkdmfarm@megalink.net), December 15, 2001.

Kenneth, sorry to hear about your test results. Have high cholesterol too and one of the things that works for me are those vegetarian hot dogs and vegetarian hamburgers in the grocery store. Their is margarine on the market that is suppose to help lower cholesterol and it is good on microwaved potatoes.

-- fred (fred@mddc.com), December 15, 2001.

A favorite healthy recipe on mine.....Chicken cacciatore ....simmer boneless chicken in RAGU spagetti sauce (or choose your favorite!), Half an hour before you turn off the heat add 1 sliced onion, 1 chopped bell pepper, garlic and olives if you enjoy them in spagetti. Serve over a decent portion of pasta. White meat is better for you, technically, but I usually eat skinless dark meat because the flavor is more intense. Sprinkle with low fat parmissan cheese.

-- Terri (hooperterri@prodigy.net), December 15, 2001.

OH! I forgot to add a fistfull of oregano to the chicken cacciatore! Otherwise it won't have NEARLY enough flavor! This is at LEAST as good as restaurant eating!

-- Terri (hooperterri@prodigy.net), December 15, 2001.

Thanks everyone for your help and prayers.

A business associate of mine contacted a scientist/doctor that's on his board of directors. He's sending me his patented fat binder. He guaranteed me that my trig's and cholesterol would drop by 50% in 10 days or less. He agreed that I'm in the "danger zone". I'll let you know how all this progresses.

Started last night on a new diabetic insulin "Lantus" one shot daily at bedtime. Sugar this morning tested 113. (that's a big change from 265 yesterday morning.

I wish my family was as supportive as this board. :o)

I have read Sugar Busters. We (my wife and I) start classes with the American Diabetic Association on January 3rd 2002.

Terri I may take you up on that. (vent that is)

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), December 15, 2001.


Jim: NO I do not smoke nor partake of alcohol. I've seen to many good people go that route.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), December 15, 2001.

Kenneth, Christmas is coming. When I sit down to holiday meals, I remind myself that "turkey is my friend"! Also, stovetop stuffing made without butter (I can't tell by the taste that it isn't in there, anyway!). I let the meat juice sit for 5 minutes so that I can get the fat off of it, add chicken bullion, and then make healthy gravy out of that. Nibbles trays with veggies and low-fat dressing on hand is also good: as long as there is some of my favorite foods conveniently on hand it is much easier to behave myself! Pickles, olives, etc. are good too. Sugar-free jello made with fruit is good. For a once-in-a-while treat for the holidays I will top it with cool whip. hot bread. You won't be able to stuff yourself this year (except with veggies), but when you get up from the table you can remind yourself that you can have another platefull at bedtime! Also, if my resolve weakens and I know that I am going to over eat, I try to make it on turkey because it is kinder on my system than almost anything else.

-- Terri (Hooperterri@prodigy.net), December 17, 2001.

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