Now in my 13th week of Atkins, I've gotten some good news from the lab.

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Date: 4/3/2003
Total Cholesterol (Normal <240): 303
Triglycerides (Normal 35-190): 348
HDL Cholesterol (Normal >35): 36
LDL Cholesterol (Normal <135): 197
Current Medications for Cholesterol: Gemfibrozil 600mg 2x/day
Weight: 293

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Date: 5/12/2003 - Begin Atkins LC
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Date: 7/01/2003
Total Cholesterol (Normal <240): 345
Triglycerides (Normal 35-190): 221
HDL Cholesterol (Normal >35): 37
LDL Cholesterol (Normal <135): 264
Current Medications for Cholesterol: Gemfibrozil 600mg 2x/day
Weight: 257

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Date: 8/13/2003
Total Cholesterol (Normal <240): 200
Triglycerides (Normal 35-190): 119
HDL Cholesterol (Normal >35): 39
LDL Cholesterol (Normal <135): 137
Current Medications for Cholesterol: Gemfibrozil 600mg 2x/day + Zetia 10mg
Weight: 245

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As you can see, the combination of diet, weight loss and drugs seems to have made a substantial improvement in my numbers. I'm looking forward to seeing how far I can push this.

Does anybody see any down-side to these numbers?

Dear geo53562,

Amazing!! From the little I know, either your tri's and your LDLs divided by your HDLs are under 4.0 which is good. I read somewhere the best indicator was your tri's divided by your HDLs. 4.0 is moderate and anything above is increasingly bad.

From my experience, even if I had your great results, my Doctor would probably put me on meds. If my HDLs were under 50, he would not be satisfied. LOL I believe the parameters you are currently quoting have changed. You can ask your doctor or you can check the internet..or some of the other posts here.

I am trying to avoid meds if at all possible. My initial results, other than my triglycerides would have been within the low risk parameters. Now they no longer are. Darn!

Keep up the good work!!

God bless,

Jeanne48

Hi Jeanne48--

I believe you're right about the parameters...but these were the ones on the lab slips. I figure that either means they're out of date, or possibly that these are "adjustments" they've made for peculiarities of their equipment or procedures.

As for the med...I am taking them (listed under each entry). I'm personally impressed that I've finally (with the help of diet) managed to find a combination that actually works without turning me into the Pillsbury Doughboy (Symvostatin did that to me...great numbers, but weak as a kitten and +50 lbs. in a year w/no eating change!)

DANDR suggests that things will only get better as we near the 6-month point. I'm still hoping that I might be able to chuck these meds eventually...and if Atkins is good enough to straighten me out, there's strong hope for you, too!

Here's hopin' for both of us!

Hi Geo!
Good results!
I went to my doctor today and surprise! even with my high cholesterol, she likes Atkins!!! She explained me that my high levels of cholesterol are because of a hipothyroid problem (that was in 20 and the maximun is 4!).
She couldn't believe that I have lost 10 pds with my hypo.
So, I'll continue... Hmmm, I feel relax and good now.
Take good care, Isiar