In fact the results were disturbing.

Triglycerides 3,876

Cholesterol 420

The sugar chart over time 12 (7 would have been much better)

Any one else have or have had such high triglycerides? How do you lower this stuff?

Thanks.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), December 13, 2001

Answers

Kenneth, there is an article in the new Mother Earth News about lowering your cholesterol. I imagine your Doc is wanting to put you on medicine?

I've been eating oatmeal most every morning and more leafy green stuff to help lower mine.

-- John in S. IN (jdoofus@hotmail.com), December 13, 2001.

Sorry about the medical tests, Kenneth. I don't have any answers, but I do have a question; If a Triglyceride reading of 3,876 is high,(and it sure SOUNDS high) what is 'normal'? 3,000? 4.2? And if I may post a follow up; What does a high triglyceride reading MEAN? Or, what does it signify? I've heard Cholesterol and sugar levels, but never any Triglyceride levels.

Either way, I hope you can get all the levels under control soon.

-- StevenB (thicketyrowfarm@aol.com), December 13, 2001.

Triglygerides are a type of fat formed by the liver..there is some debate in medical circles just how bad high triglycerides are for a person....most of the data says they are pretty bad..Normal levels of triglycerides in an adult should not exceed 300-350. The only time I have seen a report such as yours, Kenneth, is when the blood taken was not from a fasting patient, but somebody who ate a dozen doughnuts an hour before the test..accurate triglycerides need to be done on a strictly fasting blood sample....are you diabetic? High triglycerides and diabetes often go hand in hand. If, indeed, this result is accurate (I would order a repeat if you were my patient), get thyself pronto to a dietician and start learning how to eat anything which does not contain white flour or concentrated sugars....doughnuts are a no-no...grains and beans and those green leafy veggies are a blessing for folks with high triglycerides...but if yours is that high, you might also be a great candidate for some cholesterol busting meds..the combination of high blood sugar, high total cholesterol and high triglycerides can all be controlled and brought down to normal levels with effort and determination. I will add you to my prayer list..I know I would sure need alot of prayers if somebody told me I had to eat well and healthy! God bless and please let us know if this report is accurate!

-- lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), December 13, 2001.

Yes Lesley the results are accurate. Yes I'm a diabetic. NO I didn't eat anything 12 hours prior to testing. YES doc is calling in 3 different medicines Lipitor and 2 others.

The sugar test (HgbA1c was 12.0)

By all means add me to your prayer list. All help appreciated.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), December 14, 2001.

Oatmeal is definitely a good choice. Cayenne and garlic are great for just about anything. Lots of veggies and fiber. Talk to someone in a good health food store, also the Balsh( or maybe Balch) is a good source of info, you can find it in most health food stores.

-- Cindy (SE. IN) (atilrthehony@hotmail.com), December 14, 2001.

Kenneth, I sure am sorry to hear that those test results were accurate! The good news is that the modern cholesterol bashing medications are fast acting drugs which will be able to whack those numbers down considerably in +/- 6 months or so. Now....usually, the herbal folks and I disagree vehemently about nearly everything, but as far as triglycerides go, they have greater success than we do as far as long term results...after you are able to get those levels under control, by all means go for one of the sensible health-food store recommended diets and herbs....by sensible, I mean stay away from anything which promises the moon or limits you to grapefruits three times a day for a year. Whole grains, tofu VS hamburger, that sort of long term thing is what I have in mind....this may be a good time to consider seriously trying out being a vegetarian....keep the fish though..do you read food labels??? I never used to, but found them to be fascinating..educate yourself on the subject of fat in the diet..NOT cholesterol content..for instance, if one looks at the pastries sold in supermarkets which say "cholesterol free"...yes, they contain no cholesterol, but they DO contain somewhere around 14 to 20 grams of satuated fat..your body takes this fat and turns it into cholesterol..try not eating anything which contains more than 6 grams of fat per serving..it's not easy to do when you are not used to it. Lastly, when your doc approves, moderate daily exercise rids the body of excess fat, lowering bad cholesterol dramatically as it also improves the circulation....Those prayers started last night my friend and will continue until you post that you feel fit as the proverbial fiddle...God bless.

-- lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), December 14, 2001.

I don't know much, but definitely stay away from shortening. Any of the hydrogenated oils are just horrible. My Mom has high cholesterol as well and I am just starting to get educated on it. You got my prayers, too!

-- Doreen (bisquit@here.com), December 14, 2001.

Thanks everyone for your help and prayers.

My business associate of mine contacted a scientist/doctor that's on his board of directors. He's sending me his patented fat binder. He guaranteed me that my trig's and cholesterol would drop by 50% in 10 days or less. He agreed that I'm in the "danger zone". I'll let you know how all this progresses.

Started last night on a new diabetic insulin "Lantus" one shot daily at bedtime. Sugar this morning tested 113. (that's a big change from 265 yesterday morning.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), December 15, 2001.

Seriously and pronto get the book Protein Power and get started on a low-carb diet.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), December 20, 2001.