First bit of bloodwork — any advice appreciated

[Alexis]

Apologies if this is inappropriate, but I’d really appreciate any insight into the bloodwork results I recieved today. I’m more than a little anxious about them.

As I’m in the UK, the NHS, while amazing in many ways, doesn’t offer detailed discussions with your family doctor about such things. Not unless you really pester them, anyway.

6DABEE60-4D6A-4B43-847C-A592D6DE4850.jpeg

I am incredibly ignorant when it comes to interpreting these results, to be honest.

1) in the context of apoe 4, is there anything especially troubling about the results?

2) what stragtegies would you undertake in light of the results?

Many thanks.

-Alex

[Fiver]

Hi Alex. Just my thoughts here. I see the common pattern of LDL and non-HDL lipid particles that are a bit high. But by itself it doesn't tell you too much. It would help to know something about blood sugar/insulin and inflammation, for starters. And put this in context with your health history. Alone, this would prompt me to talk with my doctor and think about diet and exercise to improve the lipid numbers. Sorry, not very exciting. But I don't think you need to be anxious about it. It's not an unusual profile and can be fixed. You just need to decide what to try first - lifestyle, diet, and/or medication.

[slacker]

Probably too young for meds. When I get a chance I will try to convert UK units to US units so I have a better understanding of what I'm looking at. And remember the Primer - insulin resistance trumps lipids.

Remind me Alexis - strong family history of heart attacks or strokes?

[Alexis]

Probably too young for meds. When I get a chance I will try to convert UK units to US units so I have a better understanding of what I'm looking at. And remember the Primer - insulin resistance trumps lipids.

Remind me Alexis - strong family history of heart attacks or strokes?

Well, my dad narrowly missed a heart attack at 50 — had a stent put in, thankfully. No one else, though.

My brother-in-law is a Doctor (an endocrinologist), and he was quite blasé about the results. Then again, he’s pretty blasé about everything!

I guess I’ll have to find a private practice that tests for insulin resistance?

Many thanks.

[Alexis]

Hi Alex. Just my thoughts here. I see the common pattern of LDL and non-HDL lipid particles that are a bit high. But by itself it doesn't tell you too much. It would help to know something about blood sugar/insulin and inflammation, for starters. And put this in context with your health history. Alone, this would prompt me to talk with my doctor and think about diet and exercise to improve the lipid numbers. Sorry, not very exciting. But I don't think you need to be anxious about it. It's not an unusual profile and can be fixed. You just need to decide what to try first - lifestyle, diet, and/or medication.

Thanks Tom.
The 2 lifestyle factors I’m changing are sleep (more of it), and diet: Mediterranean instead of the high carb and super high protein one I was on. I ate a lot of rubbish as well: refined carb binges quite common...

[Stavia]

Alexis, at your age and in the context of you not having heart disease these lipids are not concerning. In NZ our LDLnormal range is up to 3.5mmol/l. Remember ranges are arbitrary. Keep your insulin resistance down! That is where your best efforts should go.

[Alexis]

Alexis, at your age and in the context of you not having heart disease these lipids are not concerning. In NZ our LDLnormal range is up to 3.5mmol/l. Remember ranges are arbitrary. Keep your insulin resistance down! That is where your best efforts should go.

Thanks, Stavia; I feel reassured! Your point is well taken — I’ve read your wonderful primer and learnt tons from it.

I suppose the red font and exclamation marks on the results form are what ignited my anxiety.

Now to get insulin sensitivity tested, I guess.

[Orangeblossom]

Hi Alexis, I'm in the UK so NHS also. Your GP should be able to do a HB1AC test for blood sugars for you. They do one as part of the NHS health check anyway at age 40 plus.

[Alexis]

Hi Alexis, I'm in the UK so NHS also. Your GP should be able to do a HB1AC test for blood sugars for you. They do one as part of the NHS health check anyway at age 40 plus.

Thank you! Will this test tell me all that I need to know about my insulin sensitivity?

[Orangeblossom]

As I understand it, it is a measure of glycated haemoglobin, (so a blood sugar measure) based in the last three months. It is used to test for diabetes. There is more info in the Primer as well.

If the GP won't do it, I noticed a service online for basic blood tests like this with a discount for the first one. I think it was called Thriva. I haven't tried it though.https://thriva.co/?gclid=CjwKCAjw2dvWBR ... qMQAvD_BwE