I just recently had my cholesterol tested after being on the Atkins Diet for 14 months, and for comparison I pulled out the testing results I received 5 months after starting the diet. I don't have pre-diet numbers to compare to, but these results show pretty decent progress.
Overall, I've lost 72 pounds since beginning the diet 14 months ago.


April 2003; Jan. 2004; Recommended Levels
HDL 34 (heart risk); 56; above 35 (higher is better)
Triglycerides 97; 52; below 160 (lower is better)
LDL 105; 119; below 130 (lower is better)
Fasting Glucose 102; 85; range 76-110 is recommended
Total Cholesterol 158; 185; below 200
T.C./HDL Ratio 4.6 (heart risk); 3.3; below 4.5

My total cholesterol went up from 158 to 185, but my total cholesterol to HDL ratio went way down (4.6 to 3.3) which is the more important number as long as total cholesterol is below 200. My ratio last year of 4.6 put me in the "average heart attack victim" category according to their chart. This year, 3.3 puts me in the "Half standard risk" category, moving 2 spots on the chart toward healthier risk.

I'm only concerned a little that my LDL's went up from 105 to 119. The rise in my total cholesterol looks mostly to be in my HDL level (34 to 56).

I'm curious what others think about these numbers.