New T2 with question on lipid profile and diabetes
Question:
Usually a CRP test should be repeated (if high). You can do quite a few things to reduce a high CRP. Statin drugs reduce it. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My doc (gp) did a C-reactive protein test last time. He told me that since he already KNOWS I have arthritis in both knees and my spine, it would probably come back positive. A positive CRP (c-reactive protein) test means some kind of inflammation. The trouble is that it is SO inspecific, at least for now. It could mean gum/peridontal disease, or arthritis, or lupus, or heart disease, or probably ANY kind of chronic low-level inflammation. My guess is that you don’t get a heart attack because you have gum disease, but rather that there’s something out of kilter that makes the two more likely. The second problem is that when it ISN’T something obvious, it’s pretty hard to figure out what the trouble is, much less how the heck to fix it. I’m starting to think that this might be something that for most people (but not all) will do more harm (worry that you can’t do anything about) than good. Sigh.
Response:
I regret to announce in my case a good ratio didn’t save me from the pills. Total was 240 of which HDL was 95, LDL was around 110, trig were around 55 (I know that doesn’t add up, but I’m not exactly sure about the LousyDL number…just that the ratio was pretty close to one to one.) Doc started me on Lipitor but I couldn’t handle the insomnia, a frequent side effect. Switched me to Zetia, not such good results, but both the HDL (happy DL) and the Lousy DL came down. Sometimes, you just can’t win.
Judy, why did you take the pills if you didn’t believe you needed them? If I had those numbers, I’d never agree to take cholesterol meds. Priscilla
Response:
I regret to announce in my case a good ratio didn’t save me from the pills. Total was 240 of which HDL was 95, LDL was around 110, trig were around 55 (I know that doesn’t add up, but I’m not exactly sure about the LousyDL number…just that the ratio was pretty close to one to one.) Doc started me on Lipitor but I couldn’t handle the insomnia, a frequent side effect. Switched me to Zetia, not such good results, but both the HDL (happy DL) and the Lousy DL came down. Sometimes, you just can’t win. — Judy_Gee DX T2 11/02 DX probable LADA 11/03 remove NO-Spam to send email
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – x-no-archive: yes Given a choice, would you prefer high or low cholesterol? Sleepy Neither. Given a choice, I’d prefer really good ratios, whatever the numbers are. And very low TGLs. Susan
Response:
x-no-archive: yes Given a choice, would you prefer high or low cholesterol? Sleepy Neither. Given a choice, I’d prefer really good ratios, whatever the numbers are. And very low TGLs. Susan
*you* do the math. Your Pal, Sleepy Eskimo/Inuit up! T2-3/14/01
Response:
Scott, Unfortunately, despite 20 years of media obsession with cholesterol (spurred mostly by companies who sell drugs to lower cholesterol) blood lipid levels are poor predictors for heart disease risk. I’ve read that 1/2 of all people who have fatal first heart attacks have normal blood lipids.
Given a choice, would you prefer high or low cholesterol? Sleepy Eskimo/Inuit up! T2-3/14/01
Response:
My doc (gp) did a C-reactive protein test last time. He told me that since he already KNOWS I have arthritis in both knees and my spine, it would probably come back positive. A positive CRP (c-reactive protein) test means some kind of inflammation. The trouble is that it is SO inspecific, at least for now. It could mean gum/peridontal disease, or arthritis, or lupus, or heart disease, or probably ANY kind of chronic low-level inflammation. My guess is that you don’t get a heart attack because you have gum disease, but rather that there’s something out of kilter that makes the two more likely. The second problem is that when it ISN’T something obvious, it’s pretty hard to figure out what the trouble is, much less how the heck to fix it. I’m starting to think that this might be something that for most people (but not all) will do more harm (worry that you can’t do anything about) than good. Sigh.
Response:
Scott, Unfortunately, despite 20 years of media obsession with cholesterol (spurred mostly by companies who sell drugs to lower cholesterol) blood lipid levels are poor predictors for heart disease risk. I’ve read that 1/2 of all people who have fatal first heart attacks have normal blood lipids.
with regard to the inflammation theory of heart disease, this site states that peridontal decay is as much a risk as hypertension and ciggarette smoking: http://www.sadanet.co.za/dhw/articles/perioheart.html — glimepiride 6mg : aspirin 100mg : fish oil : low carb : exercise BGs gradually coming into control : Weekly avg=9.21mmol/l : BMI=24
Response:
Good post. My Hba1c is also 5.2 – I want to get below 5. Here are some other heart disease predictors: 1. blood pressure 2. resting heart rate (lower the better – men, if over 90 watch out) 3. recovery heart rate (very predictive) 4. body mass index 5. diabetes – doubles or triples your risk. 6. Lp(a) 7. abstainance from alcohol (increases risk) 8. apple shape 9. lack of fish in diet 10. smoking (a biggie) 11. sedentary behaviour 12. age 13. family history – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Scott, Unfortunately, despite 20 years of media obsession with cholesterol (spurred mostly by companies who sell drugs to lower cholesterol) blood lipid levels are poor predictors for heart disease risk. I’ve read that 1/2 of all people who have fatal first heart attacks have normal blood lipids. Here are some newer tests that may have better predictive value: 1. CRP (C-reactive protein) This is a measure of inflammation. Current thinking is that heart disease is actually an inflammatory process. 2. Homocysteine. 3. Hba1c. The closer you get to 5.0 the lower your heart disease risk will be. Under 5.0 it drops by almost half. — Jenny - Low Carbing for 4 years. At goal for weight. Type 2 diabetes, hba1c 5.2. Cut the carbs to respond to my email address! Low carb facts and figures, my weight-loss photos, tips, recipes, strategies for dealing with diabetes and more at http://www.geocities.com/jenny_the_bean/ Looking for help controlling your blood sugar? Visit http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/Newly%20Diagnosed.htm Newly Rx T2 (Aug-03) and I have a question why my lipid profile is not out of whack. In Aug-03: A1c=12.2 Chol=215 HDL=55 LDL=131 TG=155 Last week my A1c was 6.7(no lipid profile). In looking for info on diabetes, it seems most T2’s have very high TG’s and LDL’s. Can I read anything into why my number’s are not way out of whack? Scott
Response:
I’ve read that 1/2 of all people who have fatal first heart attacks have
normal blood lipids. Are there stats on how many people with "bad" lipid numbers have heart disease? What kind of % of people with known heart disease, no "attacks" but perhaps other consequent problems, have good/bad lipids? bj
Response:
Scott, Unfortunately, despite 20 years of media obsession with cholesterol (spurred mostly by companies who sell drugs to lower cholesterol) blood lipid levels are poor predictors for heart disease risk. I’ve read that 1/2 of all people who have fatal first heart attacks have normal blood lipids. Here are some newer tests that may have better predictive value: 1. CRP (C-reactive protein) This is a measure of inflammation. Current thinking is that heart disease is actually an inflammatory process. 2. Homocysteine. 3. Hba1c. The closer you get to 5.0 the lower your heart disease risk will be. Under 5.0 it drops by almost half. — Jenny - Low Carbing for 4 years. At goal for weight. Type 2 diabetes, hba1c 5.2. Cut the carbs to respond to my email address! Low carb facts and figures, my weight-loss photos, tips, recipes, strategies for dealing with diabetes and more at http://www.geocities.com/jenny_the_bean/ Looking for help controlling your blood sugar? Visit http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/Newly%20Diagnosed.htm
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Newly Rx T2 (Aug-03) and I have a question why my lipid profile is not out of whack. In Aug-03: A1c=12.2 Chol=215 HDL=55 LDL=131 TG=155 Last week my A1c was 6.7(no lipid profile). In looking for info on diabetes, it seems most T2’s have very high TG’s and LDL’s. Can I read anything into why my number’s are not way out of whack? Scott
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Newly Rx T2 (Aug-03) and I have a question why my lipid profile is not out of whack. In Aug-03: A1c=12.2 Chol=215 HDL=55 LDL=131 TG=155 Last week my A1c was 6.7(no lipid profile). In looking for info on diabetes, it seems most T2’s have very high TG’s and LDL’s. Can I read anything into why my number’s are not way out of whack? Scott
One observation, that is a lipid profile to be expected of an adult-onset Type 1 diabetic. . . on the mature side perhaps. You generate the Lousy Lipids which plague new T2 by a combination of: a. High circulating insulin levels b. High Insulin Resistance c. High carb diets d. Proper genes If you happen to be an unsuspected Adult-onset T1, you don’t have "a" and "b" and your lipids are explained. Or you could be a T2 with some really useful genes. It is difficult to differentiate between an Adult-onset T1 and an Adult-onset T2 at first diagnosis. Thus, many docs just diagnose all their Adult-onset diabetics as T2 and try to pick out the T1 as the months and symptoms progress. Metformin and the beta stimulators work but not well and not for an extended time when used by adult-onset T1. TZD’s like Actos and Avandia usually do just about nothing. Insulin injections work "unexpectedly" well. Be open to the idea of insulin injections if your sugars start going to pot. I had a thoroughly miserable time as my insulin supply dried up. You don’t have to re-confirm my lousy experiences. An important concept for folks showing any signs at all of Adult-onset T1 is to never slack off on testing. If your insulin supply dries up, you need that frequent testing to keep you out of the emergency room. Regards Old Al
Response:
Newly Rx T2 (Aug-03) and I have a question why my lipid profile is not out of whack. In Aug-03: A1c=12.2 Chol=215 HDL=55 LDL=131 TG=155 Last week my A1c was 6.7(no lipid profile). In looking for info on diabetes, it seems most T2’s have very high TG’s and LDL’s. Can I read anything into why my number’s are not way out of whack? Scott
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Newly Rx T2 (Aug-03) and I have a question why my lipid profile is not out of whack. In Aug-03: A1c=12.2 Chol=215 HDL=55 LDL=131 TG=155 Last week my A1c was 6.7(no lipid profile). In looking for info on diabetes, it seems most T2’s have very high TG’s and LDL’s. Can I read anything into why my number’s are not way out of whack? Scott
Mine had higher HDL and LDL with lower TG. There is no hard and fast relationship between lipids and DM. I also suspect that your lipids, especially TG, would have improved if you A1c improved that much. I’m curious as to why your doc did not run the lipid panel this time, or is this a home test? — K’neH’a'Iw Uncloaking, Shields up.
