HI Cholesterol Level With HbA1c Level Closed To Pre-diabetic
I had a blood test around 7 months ago which showed my blood sugar Hb1AC to be close to pre-diabetic levels, which freaked me out. My cholesterol was also a little high.
I cut down on sweet things (which I love!) a lot, and had my blood tested again a few weeks ago. good news is that the blood sugar levels have dropped, triglycerides low, liver function great. HOWEVER, my cholesterol has leapt to 6.6! So annoyed!
The nurse quizzed me on my diet and the only thing we can pinpoint is that I eat a lot of cheese, so have started eating low fat cheese or not eating as much in general. I generally eat what I consider to be a healthy diet, oily fish, veg, etc but not sure what to believe.
I read that a high fat diet is now the way to go with low carb, but whilst this seems to have helped with blood sugar, it has not done my cholesterol any good.
I have to go back in 3 months. Anyone else had this type of result?
Cholesterol Level :: Came Back As 5.3
I have recently had my cholesterol level tested and it came back as 5.3.
I had an appointment at my doctor's surgery with the health care assistant. She said I need to reduce the saturated fat in my diet for 6 months then get my cholesterol level tested again to see if it's high because of my diet or a health issue.
My retest is due for the end of March 2013 which means Christmas is in the middle of the period. Will a little 'binge' or Christmas pudding etc undo the improved diet for the 3 months previously?
Cholesterol Level :: Familial Hypercholesterolemia
My husband has this condition and has been on statins for some years now. His levels are now good, he hardly drinks but his diet is awful - and always has been. Basically red meat, pastry, cakes and spuds, preferably with fat of some kind. My diet is good and all the right foods are in the house and available. This year he has been feeling unwell - aching all over and very tired. His weight is good despite the diet though. He has lived 7 years longer than his father, and I would like to keep him for many more. I am wondering if the statins may be causing the problems and whether the condition can be managed by diet and if so how the heck do I convince him to change? He is due to see his doctor next week.
Cholesterol Level :: High 250 - Side Effects?
The doc put me on niacin to lower my cholesterol I haven't taken it yet scared it may mess with me but my question is will high cholesterol cause vision issues and other side effects
View 4 RepliesCholesterol Level :: Familial Hypercholesterolaemia And Statins
I have been diagnosed with Familial Hypercholesterolaemia at the age of 5, after around 30 years of battling with doctors over my diet. Up until now, my combined cholesterol has never gone below 7.0 (without statins which I took for a few months around 5 years ago - it went down to around 4.0), and doctors continually insisted that my diet was at fault.
After another round of insisting that I take statins, I refused and was sent to the lipid clinic, where they looked at my history and proudly announced that my diet was not at fault and it was hereditary.
They then insisted I go on statins, as in their words, I have nearly 50 years worth of <fat> lining my blood vessels.
They did no cardiac tests or ultrasounds or stethoscope on my neck, etc., to find out if I was "furred up", and they then referred me back to the GP.
The GP didn't get in touch with me, so I made an appointment to see him, where he put me on a low dose of steroid.
I asked him about whether I should find out if I WAS at risk of heart disease before he shoved me on them, as in my mind, if my cholesterol had been so high ALL my life, then why did I not have any of the associated symptoms of FH, such as early heart disease, fat deposits on eyes etc?
Also I have reduced thyroid function (not reduced enough to be treated under the current guidelines however).
So, a couple of weeks later, at a pre-op for an upcoming gynae procedure I am to have, I mentioned about not having my heart looked at in years, and the kind nurse did an ECG and listened to my heart with a stethoscope. I was told my heart was ok.
What I would like to know is, would that "OK" on my heart health be a good reason not to take statins, or would further tests need to be done to ascertain whether I am at increased risk of heart disease - other than my cholesterol level.
I have read recently that if your heart and vascular health is OK, it doesn't matter what your cholesterol level is, it will still lower your risk - is that correct?
Kidney Disease :: Creatinine Level 1.13 Mg/dL
My doctor sent my test results. He highlighted Creatinine 1.13mg/dL HI. My GET is 58 no/min/1.73 m2
View 1 RepliesKidney Disease :: Elevated Creatinine Level (1.15) And GFR 57
I had some blood work done last week any my Creatinine was 1.15 and my GFR was 57. I know these aren't alarming numbers necessarily, but 6 months ago my Cr was .72 and my GFR was 100 so it's a huge change. Everything else (BUN, BUN/CR ratio) were normal. Doctor was unconcerned and wanted to check in 3 months. Anybody have any thoughts on this? I do take lots of supplements but have taken them for years with normal kidney function. Also have taken a lot of Benadryl lately. I'm stumped at this big change. Also I am not diabetic and do not have high blood pressure.
View 1 RepliesKidney :: Creatinine Level (4.29) Is High With Swelling
Hi my creatinine level jumped from 1.5 in Jan 2014 to 4.29 in July 2014. My legs and feet suddenly started swelling and I urinate frequently. Since all this started,I'm also thirsty all the time. Also, I guess it's pertinent to mention that my mother (73) just started dialysis, which she does at home herself. My daughter is now on the kidney transplant list, she's 30, but hers is attributed to Graves Disease, I believe. Is Kidney issues hereditary? .
View 1 RepliesKidney Stones :: Pain Level Intensity And Duration?
my wife has a kidney stone. we were wondering what to expect with the passing of it as far as pain level intensity and duration.
View 2 RepliesRight Combination Of Vitamins For Cholesterol, Kidney Stones And Osteopenia
I recently turned 40 and have had an interesting year with health. I went from excellent cholesterol to very high, developed kidney stones, learned I have osteopenia and have developed chronic back pain caused by bone on bone. I am not a fan of medication and am trying to find the right combination of vitamins to help with these problems. I cannot take Calcium because it is causing kidney stones, but I am thinking Vitamin D and Omega 3 Fish Oil would be a good start. Any suggestions on other vitamins/dosage?
View 7 RepliesHeart Disease Risk :: Cholesterol - Good Vs Bad Cholesterol
I had a general health check at doctors yesterday. Am a 41 year old male and am taking co-codamol painkillers and amitriptyline on regular basis for back/nerve pain. Try to be physically active when I can but have real issues with my back and legs that limits anything too physical or for any length of time, but in general I manage at least 30 mins of some kind of physical activity each day. My diet isn't brilliant but it isn't terrible either (can be improved I'm sure).
6ft tall, waist measured yesterday at 38" and I'm just under 80 kg in weight.
My health check said my blood pressure was good, and that my pulse was nice and steady but also that my good cholesterol was above average (over 1.5) but that my bad cholesterol was not where it needs to be at 7.2.
The bad reading has freaked me out a bit. I've never had a cholesterol test before so cannot compare reading to a historic level but nurse has requested me to have a further blood test and probably a chat with doctor.
So, question is does having an above average level of good cholesterol and good blood pressure help manage the higher levels of bad cholesterol? My overall risk of having some kind of cardiac issue in next ten years came out at 1.49% which seems fairly low, but I forgot to ask how low you can get this % ie a risk of 0.01%?
I can try to up my physical activity a little bit but how dramatic would you change your diet based on above? I have lost two relatives to heart disease on my father's side of family (his sister and his father) but both parents appear to be fine although not aware they have ever had their own cholesterol tested.
I'm going to try and lose a few kg in weight which I'm sure will help but any advice in how to better manage my bad cholesterol appreciated.
High Cholesterol :: Cholesterol Vs. CPK Number
For several years I took Simvastatin lowest dose (cut in HALF) and had good cholesterol numbers that satisfied the internist. That doc retired and new internist did a CPK test last year (my first one ever) and found it elevated to 243 so stopped the statin due to fears of muscle damage.
A year later (last week) the retested CPK, after taking NO statin for a year, was 303 and chol. numbers were back up (see below)!! So, doc says go ahead and take atorvastatin because there is a percentage of people who have high CPK with no other apparent problem. He said atorvastatin is more effective re chol. lowering than simvastatin which I'd had years ago. Is that so?
I am female, 64 years old and at age 55 had a calcium scan of the heart which showed ZERO calcium score. This was because I had similar TC numbers to current numbers and one doc (a cardiologist!) said 'have the scan' -- "find out if you need a statin." When he saw the ZERO calcium score for someone 55 he laughed and said I did not need a statin.
Years later, however, this new internist/gerontologist says that's fine but that is just the hardened cholesterol seen in the zero score, not the 'soft,' which is what travels and causes heart attacks and stroke. Great! Money spent for nothing on the test! Guess I need to educate the cardiologist?
My current chol. numbers before re-starting a statin last week were: Total Chol: 251; HDL: 77; LDL: 157; and Trigs: 87. Ratio is 3.26 -- Doc says he does 'not like' the 157 LDL.
So... a week ago I started on atorvastatin at a super low dose (I cut the 10 mg. pills into quarters so 2.5 per day. I have read in multiple places that it's stronger than simvastatin so wanted to start LOW and research shows that 2.5 is often enough to bring numbers to reasonable levels. I am not aiming to have the world's lowest cholesterol.
Last night and today I developed sharp pains in upper mid section and read the 'side effects' -- sure enough -- it's a possibility. Have also experienced increase in heartburn since taking these pills for a week. Started almost immediately. Is there a connection?
NOTE: Gallbladder removed in '04, before ever starting on any statin at all -- I'm one of the many who still has occasional GB related pains, likely from sphincter of oddi problems (sludge or stones formed by liver). It is called SOD III and it's not uncommon and since it's not a frequent occurrence, there is nothing to do about it per gastro doc. I have not had an episode in three+ years until last night/today, though this was mild.
Any relation to start-up of atorvastatin and these pains? Who knows? I would prefer taking NO statins since they are known to raise glucose a little and can bring on Diabetes type 2. My fasting glucose is high normal already at 98 and type II runs in my family at older ages. Swell.
What do YOU experts think of this? Would you be concerned about taking atorvastatin (or switching to simvastatin, which I took with no obvious problems for a few years?) Or would you just say forget the statins and live your life and don't worry about it? There is NO history of heart attack in anyone on either side of my family before age 80 and no 'strokes' at all.
Kidney Disease :: Prep For Lithotripsy (Kidney Stones) - Magnesium Citrate
Is it me or is this stuff a waste of time?
I've had obout 20 lithotripsy's in 15 years of having continuous stones. They've never gotten my kidney completely empty of stones ever. I've had lithos, ureterscopy, PCNL. On meds but they can't seem to stop them from growing. I avoid alot of the things that cause stones or limit them. Got to have the 1 cup of coffee in the morning
On the day before litho, your suppose to eat light ( nothing that leaves residue in bowl) but they say you can have white bread or boiled chicken. (Why bother?) I usually only eat jello, gatorade, and just broth. Plus tons of water. The instructions say to drink the magnesium of citrate after dinner. Well to me dinner is after 6/7. But I thought this time I would take earlier since last time didn't start to move the bowels until i was in the hospital. Plus this stuff is awful- taste bad- even refrigeration like they suggest doesn't really help. Twice in past I threw it up.
So I took at 5 pm thinking it would work earlier. Nope. Nothing. Just stomach cramping and it finally started around 5 am after me getting up every hour during night. Still was working again while in hospital.
There has to be something better (tasting) and work faster. Plus less side effects. Or they should change instructions & say take a noon. Next litho (in 2-3 months) I'm taking a 1/2 day off day before and taking at noon. Maybe then can get a little sleep the night before procedure.
Sorry- felt like ranting as frustrated as its been two full days since litho and nothing passing yet. Plus I have a bad back (2 surgeries) which makes it hard to do the exercises where you drink 2 cups water, wait 30 minutes, then elevate kidney @ 45 degrees and stay like that for 30 minutes to try and get the pieces to move.
Kidney Failure :: Protein In Urine With Chronic Kidney Disease
I was just wondering if anyone has protein in their urine with Chronic Kidney Disease and what did your doctor do about it if anything. I am trying to keep my GFR stable. The last time it went up a bit but am worried about the protein causing more damage quicker.
View 5 RepliesKidney :: 19, Suffering With Bladder And Kidney Infections For Years
Hello I am 19 years old I have been suffering with bladder and kidney infections since I was 14. I was admitted to hospital to find out what was wrong with me nothing could be found, I think I have tried every antibiotic under sun...nothing seems to help, I suffer with them every few mounts or so on and off.
When I fall ill with one I'm very ill it puts in bed for days with terrible pain and fever, I'm young and starting university very soon...I don't know anyone who suffers as bad as me and I struggle to get to the doctors a lot with being a full time student, it's so unbearable and frustrating can anyone help?.
Kidney Disease Without Protein In Urine? Kidney Failure?
Is it possible to have CKD or kidney failure without protein in urine?
Last week my masseuse found a knot in my back that she suspects could be inflammation in my kidney. I've had some weird symptoms popping up over the last month like foot/ankle swelling, profound fatigue, leg cramps and blurry vision. This last week though I began developing SEVERE flank pain (like 9 on a 10 scale), back pain (started out lower, now entire back), horrible nausea, horrible headaches, shooting pains down my legs, metallic taste in mouth, dizziness and loss of appetite. Not to sound melodramatic but I feel like I'm dying. The pain is constant but the intensity seems to be moving in 24 hour cycles. Today I feel awful but I was able to shower/get dressed. Yesterday I couldn't even get out of bed. I slept for 16 hours. It's been going in that pattern for the last week and a half.
My doc did a urine culture last week, got results today and there was no protein in my urine, but I had 3+ ketones and a large amount of leukocytes. Blood work from a month ago just came in and my kidney numbers were off a month ago: BUN (32), Creatinine (1.8), eGFR (33). Between the symptoms and the blood test I'm thinking it sounds like renal failure, but could it be CKD without protein in the urine?
Kidney Stones :: Staghorn - Filled My Right Kidney
Thursday morning I spent the night in the ER with a kidney stone in the left kidney -- when they did a CT Scan - they came and told me that they made an "incidental finding" in the right kidney that is a problem -- they have discovered that I have a "Staghorn" kidney stone that has attached itself and almost completely filled the right kidney. He said that I will not pass it and now my GP has made me an appt. with a Nurse Practitioner at the urologist's office for Tuesday morning to discuss my options. What are my options going to be?
View 1 RepliesKidney Stones :: Calcium Deposits In My Kidney
A while ago I had kidney stones, I was sent for a scan after, upon returning to my GP for the results of my test, he told me there were calcium deposits in my kidney that could mean I have another on the way, I've been trying to keep well hydrated and doing all I can to prevent a recurrence, because they're damn right evil, I've got away with it for quite a while now, last night I was woke up with the same pain I had when I had kidney stones, I sat on the toilet and waited for the pain so subside, it seems to have gone again for now, I was just wondering if I'm supposed to avoid eating foods rich in calcium, I'm also lactose intolerant and with all this I'm starting to wonder if I'm going to en up deficient in calcium.
View 3 RepliesKidney Problems :: Kidney / Bladder /UTIs
In the last week of Jan I was diagnosed with a bad kidney infection and given a weeks antibiotics (can't remember the name). After 2 weeks feeling no better I went back to docs with a sample and the infection was still there and given 3 day course of antibiotics (naturfranton (not sure of spelling)) and was told to come back again the next week with a sample. This time the sample was clear but a week later I was back with flank pain and generally feeling unwell, there was no infection in urine but I was sent for blood tests to test my kidney function etc and sent for an ultrasound. All of these tests came back clear. 2 weeks later back again feeling unwell, nausea, pain around bladder, upset stomach and received 3 day course of trimethoprim. I finished this course and finally felt normal only ten days later to be back with nausea and kidney pain and I am currently on a 5 day course of amoxicillin.
I'm not sure if this infection is one that will just not go away or recurring infections.Has anyone else ever had this problem and what did it take to get rid of the infection? I,ve never had kidney infections before and never had antibiotics before this ( I am 18 ) any help is welcome, I am sick of being sick at this point.