Active Low-Carber Forums - Health improvements after 5 years on low carb

I'm still working on that last 10 pounds, mostly for cosmetic reasons, but as a person with many family members who have died of diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease, or are currently living with those illnesses, health is my major motivation for low-carbing.

I had my first blood tests done four years ago, after about a year low-carbing. My next tests were done just about a week ago. The first test came back fine, and the second is even better!

After one year low-carb:
-total cholesterol 6.46 (range 2-5.19)
-triglycerides .65 (range .45-2.29)
-HDL 1.81 (should be >1.10)
-LDL 4.35 (range 1.5-3.39)
-Ratio total cholesterol:HDL 3.57 (should be <4.40)

So my total cholesterol and LDL were high, but so was my HDL, and the ratio of total cholesterol and HDL put me in a healthy zone.

After five years low-carb:
-total cholesterol 5.98 (range 2-5.19)
-triglycerides .73 (range .45-2.29)
-HDL 2.42 (should be >1.10)
-LDL 3.23 (range 1.5-3.39)
-Ratio total cholesterol:HDL 2.47 (should be <4.40)

My fasting glucose test was fine both times.

So, after five years' low-carbing, I'm happy to report that I don't seem to be following the familial trend. I'm aware that I'm just "a study of one" and that my experience has no scientific validity. But I wanted to post this here as information from someone who's been at this a long time, and has had absolutely no adverse health results - just the opposite!

BTW, on my last visit, my doctor mentioned that my weight was "normal." Everyone else in my family is either overweight or in a constant battle to maintain something like a healthy weight. So I can thank low-carbing for that, too!

Rachel