Reducing cholesterol

[trophywench]

Deep Sigh - they hold the purse strings for both insulin pumps and Libres so if the bloke appointed to tick the boxes to say yay or nay to the payment to the supplier of said equipment thinks people with two eyes and ears shouldn't be allowed to have whatever - who the hell can one appeal to?

 

[SB2015]

My consultant is away on holiday at present. I shall wait and see what response he gives me.
Thanks for the bits of advice on cholesterol.

 

[Bloden]

Good grief! I’m fuming for you, SB. 😡

 

[Bloden]

Here’s a photo of a leaflet given to me by my DSN with additional info added from my own research...if I can upload it!🙄

Hope it helps, SB.🙂

 

[SB2015]

Here’s a photo of a leaflet given to me by my DSN with additional info added from my own research...if I can upload it!🙄

Hope it helps, SB.🙂View attachment 8946

Now that is what I call useful. Thank you.
We are eating pretty sensibly based on that list but I can spot a couple of changes I could make.
That is a lot better than no idea at all.

I have made another appointment with my GP to specifically ask for practical advice.
I await with interest whether he has any ideas.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

All things that have fat in them have a combination of all three components, I believe, (mono/poly and saturated). But different ones have different proportions.

I'm not sure polyunsaturated gets the glowing recommendations it once did, particularly if you are warming it up (smoke points, aldehydes etc). And the the healthiness (or otherwise) of saturated fat seems much more complex than the old 'it's bad for you' mantra.

Monounsaturated seems good to aim for though, and from what I can tell, reducing saturated fat intake does still have some evidence that it can reduce TC a smidgen.

 

[SB2015]

Just reading various articles. Some mention fasting for 12 hours before having bloods done.
I have not been asked to do this so far. Could that make a difference of 0.2!!

The problem is I don’t want to find out too late that it didn’t,
so shall pick up on the other suggestions as well.

Thanks for the info Mike

 

[Robin]

Just reading various articles. Some mention fasting for 12 hours before having bloods done.
I have not been asked to do this so far. Could that make a difference of 0.2!!

The problem is I don’t want to find out too late that it didn’t,
so shall pick up on the other suggestions as well.

Thanks for the info Mike

I always have to fast for my cholesterol, our GP surgery insists. I once asked my Diabetes consultant about it, and he said they didn't used to make people with Diabetes fast because of the danger of hypos, in the days when it was twice daily injections, but he said nowadays, if I felt I could fast, I'd get a more accurate result,( and I must say, my total cholesterol did come down a bit.)

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I always have to fast for my cholesterol, our GP surgery insists. I once asked my Diabetes consultant about it, and he said they didn't used to make people with Diabetes fast because of the danger of hypos, in the days when it was twice daily injections, but he said nowadays, if I felt I could fast, I'd get a more accurate result,( and I must say, my total cholesterol did come down a bit.)

Oh! That's reminded me! I think alcohol in the preceding 24 hours has an effect too?

 

[Robin]

Oh! That's reminded me! I think alcohol in the preceding 24 hours has an effect too?

I think that's right. Regular alcohol generally has a cholesterol lowering effect, but not in the 24hrs prior to a test. (don't ask me for the science!)

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I think that's right. Regular alcohol generally has a cholesterol lowering effect, but not in the 24hrs prior to a test. (don't ask me for the science!)

My half memory was that it might put up triglycerides. Will have to go and see if I can find where I read it!

 

[SB2015]

I am sat here, visiting friends, with a glass of wine in hand.
Hoping that I am reducing my cholesterol.
I wait with interest to hear whether alcohol the night before makes it go up or down Mike.

Next cholesterol test I am giong Otto fast and avoid alcohol the day before, just to be on the safe side.

 

[Bloden]

Now that is what I call useful. Thank you.
We are eating pretty sensibly based on that list but I can spot a couple of changes I could make.
That is a lot better than no idea at all.

I have made another appointment with my GP to specifically ask for practical advice.
I await with interest whether he has any ideas.

I found my Spanish dr’s advice lacking too: “Cut down, but don’t go crazy” is what she said. Cut down on what?!! I await with interest too, SB.🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Oh! That's reminded me! I think alcohol in the preceding 24 hours has an effect too?

Still not able to find anything specific about whether it makes things go up or down (I thought up!) but these threads mention that fasting from alcohol for 24-48 hours and fasting for the test is likely to help:

http://diabetes-support.org.uk/diabetes_forum/index.php/topic,3566.msg55158.html#msg55158

http://diabetes-support.org.uk/diabetes_forum/index.php/topic,6952.msg102799.html#msg102799

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Not academic research... but this from Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol/fast-before-cholesterol-test#2

Should you fast before your cholesterol test?
The truth is, your cholesterol can be tested without fasting. However, experts agree that fasting ahead of time produces the most accurate results. This is because your low-density lipoproteins (LDL) — also known as “bad” cholesterol — may be affected by what you’ve recently eaten. Your levels of triglycerides (another type of fat in your blood) may also be affected by a recent meal.

But you don’t need to decide whether or not to fast; your doctor will tell you if you need to. If they say you should fast, they’ll likely suggest that you avoid eating for 9 to 12 hours before your test.

For this reason, cholesterol tests are often scheduled in the morning. That way, you don’t have to spend a whole day hungry while waiting to have your test.

and alcohol (which I am assuming must raise it or the AHA wouldn't worry?

How should I prepare for my cholesterol test?
According to the AHA, doctors recommend drinking only water and avoiding food, other drinks, and certain medications in order to make sure your results are accurate.

What else should you avoid? Alcohol. Drinking within 24 hours before your test can affect your triglyceride levels.

 

[SB2015]

Not academic research... but this from Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol/fast-before-cholesterol-test#2



and alcohol (which I am assuming must raise it or the AHA wouldn't worry?

Thanks Mike

I have a plan and at least feel that I might be able to make a difference to the next set of results.
Now all I need to is cross my fingers as well, oh and wait to see the response from my consultant when he is back next week.

 

[mikeyB]

Having just registered with the same practice I left to holiday in Scotland for a few years, I’ve been asked to turn up next Thursday morning for fasting blood tests for a whole slew of blood tests, including cholesterol. (I told the doc I’d given up taking Simvastatin as a waste of time). We’ll see. Be interesting to see my Vit D level, as I’ve developed a tan