Hello there

I'm on my 2nd run on doing Atkins, lost around 20kg the 1st time then had some issues and gained back 6kg, now I'm doing it again and already lost 11kg now.

I have never done a blood test before, and I did my 1st yesterday
the results were kinda scary



The Results

serum cholesterol 219.10 mg/dl

serum triglycerides 108.10 mg/dl

H.D.L cholesterol 32.90 mg/dl

L.D.L cholesterol 170.50 mg.dl


Risk ratios:
T.Cholesterol / H.D.L 7
L.D.L / H.D.L 5


I'm 27 years old.

Please advise me

I had my cholesterol checked once - about 10 years ago and my doctor was worried cos my triglycerides were too low. Since then I have no time for any of it. Cholesterol counting is nonsense, something which was confirmed by a cardiologist I met at work the other day! I wrote about it here http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=459649

Jo xxx

Your HDL is kind of low. Might be due to smoking, if you do. Exercise, fish oil, and saturated fat will raise it eventually (usually). Don't go back to eating carbs because your triglycerides will skyrocket. And there's lots of research out there that shows LDL cholesterol is nothing to worry about (as long as triglycerides are low).

Link in my signature to collections of articles on the topic. Enjoy!

The most effective way to raise HDL, which is the scary part of your lab results, is to eat saturated fat. Get your HDL above 50 and your triglycerides below 100 (by eating fewer carbs) and you'll be in good shape. I'd say stick with Atkins.

PS How do you know your blood work has not improved by doing Atkins? One set of tests tells you nothing about what direction you are headed in.

~ojoj, ~Nancy LC, ~Liz53

many thanks for the replies, I'm really concerned about my HDL
and I do smoke, would stop smoking help rising my HDL?

about saturated fat, I do have about 6 tablespoons of whipping cream every day with my 2 cups of coffee, taking 1/2 fish oil bills a day, 2 eggs at least a day, 1 or 2 tablespoons of Mayo almost everyday!
Susages every 3 or 4 days.
sometimes I eat 2 slices of cheese or around 45grams of Kraft Cheddar cheese.

What can I add up to get more saturated fat?


one more question about Uric acid, it was 10.7mg/dl and the doctor said it way to much, but i'm not feeling any of gout symptoms, should I ignore it? or doing what to reduce this number?


I really appreciate your help.

Mayo is made with vegetable oils so little to no saturated fats there. Fish oil is primarily polyunsaturated as well. The best way to get saturated fats is to eat meat, white or red, with the fat attached. Eggs and cheese are good, as is coconut oil. Avoid trans-fats, which are artificially saturated.

Do you not eat meat every day? You might want to re-read your copy of Atkins for other ideas.

In addition to quit smoking and anLC diet, Suggestions from Cholesterol Clarityto raise HDL naturally, one of the best ways is to consume more dietary fat, inc. healthy saturated fats, such as coconut Oil, butter, full-fat meats, and mono oils like olive oil. Addditionally HDL responds to regular exercise, reduced alcohol consumption, and if you are up to it, intermittent fasting of 16 hours.
The other numbers are good and since you don't know what they were before when you weighed more and didn't eat low carb, not much to worry about at your age. Did you watch the excellent two part Australian documentary about cholesterol and statins?
http://vimeo.com/77730824

~Liz53, ~JEY100

its really nice to have such helpful people on the internet

And I do eat meat every day, for lunch and dinner, too much Shish Tawook and Shawarma

Jay100 i'll watch that documentary, still need to finish "Fat Head" movie first



so what about my Uric acid level? ignore it or what should I do to keep it down?

Uric Acid in Serum 10.7mg/dl

Read this: http://fourhourworkweek.com/2009/10/05/gout/

I guess hearing it a second time helps? Yes indeed, smoking can keep HDL low. Maybe part of the reason smoking causes heart disease. Definitely is a bigger link to heart disease than eating low carb is!

Quitting low carb because of your cholesterol numbers, while still smoking, is like removing a splinter from your finger when there's a sword in your stomach. Hint... pull out the sword. LOL!

Hello again .. bumping this thread up after doing my blood test again.


The New results:


Serum Cholesterol 218 mg/dl

Serum Triglycerides 78 mg/dl

HDL 36 mg/dl

LDL 165 mg/dl


so what do you think guys, can I call it an improvement?

and yeah I quit smoking 77 days ago

Good for you!

I know (from experience) that it's a hard thing to do.

It sounds like an improvement, especially in the things that matter. Trigs are down and HDL is up? A win/win. Oh, and not smoking? That's a huge win!

Wow, the cholesterol is improving all around but pales in comparison to giving up smoking!!
Great news, congrats.

Bonnie, Liz and Jey

Thanks you so much for the words of encouragement.

yeah quitting wasn't that easy the first 2 weeks .. but not now, no more craving.

I'm still concerned about my HDL, from 32.90 to 36 in 2 month and half feels like a tiny improvement

Do you think using Krill oil pills and coconut oil would raise my HDL?

Thank you all again <33