Another Thing That REALLY Bothers Me About Cholesterol

[tex]

Hi All,

I really believe that doctors put waaaaaaaaaaay too much faith in cholesterol test results, and their implications. It just so happens that I had done a fasting CBC test on April 13, exactly 22 days before my most recent trip to the ER, with the TIA event.

First off, my total cholesterol level on April 13th, was down 17 points from my result a year ago. I thought that was impressive enough, but as they say in the late-night tv sales pitches, "WAIT! - there's more": My total cholesterol level on May 5th, (just 22 days later), was down 20 additional points, to 191.

The thing is, I didn't do a thing that I'm aware of, during the past 12 months, that should have brought down my cholesterol level. The only major change in my diet was the addition of a good-sized chunk of cheddar cheese most nights, before bedtime. As any of us "non-doctors" know, dairy products cause elevated cholesterol levels, not reduced levels. So what's going on here?

Is it even possible that my total cholesterol could go down by 10% in only 22 days? I certainly wasn't doing anything that should have caused any measurable changes in that period of time, to the best of my knowledge. Not only that, but my LDL was down by 37% in 22 days, from 163, to 102. And my triglycerides went from 80 to 263 The only change that I'm aware of was that I started taking Lisonopril, (a common blood pressure med), on April 15th, but I don't see how it could do any of that. What the devil is going on? Can a TIA/stroke do that?

Several possible explanations come to mind:

1. Somebody screwed up in the lab, (one, or both times).

2. Cholesterol level determinations are not nearly as accurate as we've been led to believe.

3. Certain neurological/chemical events in the body, can severely skew test results.

4. Certain neurological/chemical events in the body can severely alter lipid levels.

I have to conclude that the latter is probably the most likely explanation. I also lost 5 pounds that day, (May 5th), and I still haven't gained it back, so it obviously wasn't just water. The same thing happened last time, (July 19th, 2009), when I lost 6 pounds in one day). None of this could be due to increased metabolism, though, because my temperature was only 96.4, when I checked in, just before 2 am. By 7:30, it was up to 97.0.

So now I'm wondering if those changes in lipid levels were only temporary, or permanent. I have another lipids test scheduled for 16 days from today.

Has anyone ever seen or heard of anything such as this happening before?

Tex

[Dee]

Hi Wayne,
Sure hoping that you are on the mend from this last ordeal.
Now, as far as your cholesterol numbers.
Jack's mother had another TIA about two weeks ago.
She had numbness, tingling on the left side of her face, left arm and this time it has affected her left leg moreso than before, so they are doing PT in the hospital for another 2 weeks.
Her blood pressure seemed fine as she does take a med for that.
But, her triglycerides were really elevated, so they put her on a cholesterol med.Your question pertaining to a TIA and cholesterol numbers would be a good one to ask her doc if I see him.
Love & Take Care
Dee

[Gabes-Apg]

Tex
how are you feeling? how is the BP? any more signs of numbness?

years and years ago (early 1980's) when they were trying to diganose my dads cancer, they did a scan one day and the mass was not there and then a week later they did a scan and it was. they said there were rare times that this occurred (and with other tests as well) and at that stage they had not figured out why. They speculated it was body chemistry whether it was toxins, diet, adrenalin, time of day etc or a mix of everything.
i have not researched this extensively, i do recall reading an article years ago that talked about failure rate with blood tests. it was in a range of acceptible to the medical profession, i remember thinking at the time any wonder there is such a frequence of doctors making mistakes

hope you are still resting and not trying to do too much

take care

[starfire]

No, I really haven't heard of anyone experiencing what you have described. It does sound odd. It will be interesting if any of your doctors come up with something.

Love, Shirley

[tex]

Dee,

That's certainly interesting about your MIL's triglycerides. Thanks for the info.


Gabes,

I'm feeling pretty much OK, with only very minor numbness remaining in my face. It's most noticeable in my lips, of course, but it's not enough to cause any problems. I'm doing a little work, but trying to not overdo it.


Shirley,

I haven't seen any doctors since I read these reports, and noticed the drastic changes in my lipids, but I certainly intend to ask my PCP, when I see him in a couple of weeks. You would think that the hospital doctors might have asked me whether or not those readings were typical for me, (since they were aware of these reports), but not one of them asked, meaning that they probably just assumed that those values are slow to change, and they were therefore typical for me.

Love,
Tex

[Polly]

Hiya Tex!

Diet is only a minor part of cholesterol metabolism. If I recall correctly, more than 2/3 rds of the body's cholesterol is "manufactured" within the body - it is not impacted by dietary cholesterol. So what we eat may not have much to do with the actual numbers. I think HDL/LDL numbers are more important than the total cholesterol. For example, if the HDL is high, it may have a protective effect. In my case, I have always had a cholesterol somewhat above normal, but I am fortunate to have an HDL in the 60s/70s. Also, the lower the LDL the better.

Re the triglycerides.......you probably know that I rarely put any emphasis on any single blood test. I would definitely wait to see the next test (and maybe even one more if it is still high). Simple question, but your test was a FASTING test, right? If you ate anything within 8-10 hours before the test, it could invalidate the results.

Love,

Polly

[Polly]

TEX!

I responded above without seeing your post about your most recent trip tp the ER. WOW! Any tests done during that time would certainly be skewed. I'm sure the old adrenaline was going, and that alone can change many test results (raise blood sugar, for example). I am unclear, though - was the elevated triglyceride from the latest hospital visit? If so, I wouldn't put any stock in it.

Glad to hear you are better. WHEW!

Lots of love, dear friend,

Polly

[tex]

Hi Polly,

Yes, the CBC wasn't done until about 7:30 in the morning, (I arrived about 1:45 am), so by then, it would have been a fasting blood test, (around 10 hours or so since my last food of any kind). This was also the test that showed the high triglyceride level, (22 days earlier, the level was only 80).

I really appreciate your clarifying the reliability of the test results under those circumstances, because I wondered about that, and I haven't run across any discussions on the effects of such events, (strokes, TIAs, etc.), on lipid test results, so that eases my mind.

Many thanks.

Much love,

Tex