Originally Posted by
TrailRunAZ
Your total cholesterol is high, which alone does not mean much. LDL is 'bad' cholesterol, predisposes you to coronary artery disease, plaque, stroke, etc., if levels remain high. However, there are also different particle sizes to the LDL, and that can make a difference as well, some are more atherogenic than others.
Your HDL, or 'good' cholesterol is okay, but could stand to be raised.
Your liver enzyme (ALT) is mildly elevated, but the other enzyme measured for liver, AST, is missing. What is that value?
Sodium is low, but barely. Still, shouldn't go any lower. What is your creatinine and GFR? both labs help determine kidney function.
What is your blood glucose? Fasting or nonfasting, doesn't matter for discussion. Below is a list of things that should be in the comprehensive metabolic panel:
ALT, AST - liver
Ca2+, Na+, K+ (calcium, sodium, potassium)
Albumin, bilirubin, alk phos
blood glucose
BUN, creatinine - kidney function, though BUN usually reflects hydration status as well
for blood, RBCs is less important that hemoglobin and hematocrit, unless you're on a chem that increases RBCs, but they aren't often abnormal in a healthy person
For your cholesterol - agree with post above - increase exercise, tighten diet, lose saturated fats, or do fat burning (keto) diet. Also supplement with psyllium husk, work up to 2-3 tablespoons per day, will help with cholesterol. Fish oil will help also, and increases HDL a little. Exercise (cardio) will raise HDL and again, lower your risk from the elevated LDL.
Red yeast rice can work, but it can also have the same effect as prescription drugs for cholesterol, namely statins, and can cause an increase in liver enzymes and or lead to muscle aches with very small risk of rhabdo (very rare). I prefer prevention, binding agents for cholesterol, then you can avoid the treatment agents, which have more potential side effects.
For the sodium, have your blood rechecked. Many times labs report erroneous values, which normalize on the repeat check. If sodium is still low, or even lower, consider seeing a doc. Above 130, sodium is usually asymptomatic, but below that and you can get mental obtunding, fatigue, and worst case, in the 120s, seizures. But again, the value isn't scary at all, have it rechecked. complex problem if it remains low, as it has little to do with salt intake, more with excretion, etc. If trending down, see a doc, but you're probably fine.
For liver, N-acetylcysteine, or NAC, 600-1200mg/day, prior to bed.
Have your thyroid checked as well. What is your TSH and free T4? Low TSH (hyperthyroid) can cause other things to be out of whack. If you're using T3 or T4 as a metabolic agent, your labs may always be off a bit, and the only way to check is to d/c the T3/4 for a month or so, and repeat labs.
Google 'complete metabolic panel' or 'cmp' to see what all should be in the panel.
Try the NAC for a couple of months and recheck liver. Usually liver enzymes don't signify seriousness or damage until they are two times greater than normal, plus. Though not true with hep C, which may show no elevations at all.
And very importantly, what is your blood pressure? That is a huge risk factor. Especially if coupled with high/rising cholesterol and/or high blood glucose.
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