Ha ha, oh, it is to laugh.

[bloodsong1]

So I got my blood drawn yesterday like a good girl and it was quick and mostly painless and no big deal.

This afternoon, as I'm leaving the house with SNB and Cuteness to pick up IDK, I get a call from my new doctor's office.

"We're calling because your cholesterol is 220-something and it should be 200. Also your LDL count is about 110-something, that should be below 100, so we're going to mail you a diet plan to correct this. On the other hand, your HDL count is over 80, so that's good."

"Ah, I see. Thank you. How does the thyroid look?"

"Um, those are within normal limits, so you're okay there."

"Okay, thank you for the information."

I hung up and managed to laugh ironically for about 7 seconds before my throat caught and I coughed instead.

I'll be 35 in two months.

This is...right about the time my mother got the "Your cholesterol is over 300, DO SOMETHING NOW" speech from HER doctor and the entire family went on her low-salt, low-fat, low-taste, questionable-nutrition diet because she wasn't cooking two meals, TYVM. I can trace my eating issues to this time.

I am still amused by this and the realization that in the last two years, my blood pressure HAS been going up. Before I had The Cuteness my BP was 90ish/50ish. Now, a good ten pounds heavier, it's been around 110ish/60ish. Y'know. NORMAL.

I will check out the diet plan she sends me and start shopping accordingly. My children will continue to eat as they have been. I have a feeling I can kick this.

Comments

[jannyblue.livejournal.com]

That's not too far from "okay" so it's not likely to be a hyper-restrictive diet.

My blood pressure tends to annoy doctors, because it shouldn't be "normal" with the amount of salt and caffeine in my diet, and yet it is... (though usually towards the higher end of "normal": 120/70)

[b1bl10v0re]

*hugs* I'm sure that you will kick this.

If you would like recipe suggestions, both Whole Foods and Forks Over Knives tend to have quick and healthy meals(I try to replace their canned suggestions with fresh when I can). Personally I use very little salt in my diet, and when I do it's Celtic sea salt.

[sheherazahde.livejournal.com]

The diet plan will tell you to eat more vegetables. The same thing I have been telling you for years. You and your children don't eat enough vegetables. But you ignore me because I'm not an "expert". I'm a bit hurt by that. I tell you something and you ignore me because I'm just your friend but a total stranger in a lab coat tells you the same thing and you do what they say because they are an authority figure.

A low cholesterol diet doesn't have to be low-salt, low-fat, or low-taste. It just cuts back on the animal fats, such as all meat, bacon, cheese, butter, and heavy cream. But you can use vegetable fats such as canola oil, olive oil, cocoa butter, avocados, and coconut oil. High soluble fiber is also recommended. Steel-cut oatmeal might work for you. It has a texture closer to the multi-grain hot cereal you have been eating. And spices are always good.

A low-salt diet is used to reduce blood pressure, if you don't have high blood pressure don't worry about your salt.

[page-of-swords.livejournal.com]

It's not perfect but it's not horrible as well. I have some patients who I swear have butter instead of blood.

Go with what Sheherazade said for the most part. I would be limit most fats where possible. Vegetable fats can still have an effect on blood cholesterol. The issue is quantity.

The other side of it is exercise.

[craig139.livejournal.com]

My doctor told me to have some red wine before bedtime for my cholesterol.  Chezelliott was quite put out as he had never prescribed wine for her.

[bloodsong1.livejournal.com]

I was thinking of upping my red wine intake...

[craig139.livejournal.com]

Is your preference for sweet or dry wines?

[bloodsong1.livejournal.com]

I prefer sweeter and I had a horrible experience with a box wine that I can't shake off, so I avoid box wines like the plague.

[craig139.livejournal.com]

I have been having box wine for this for ages with no trouble. What happened to you?

[bloodsong1.livejournal.com]

Someone I knew had a box of white wine and when they opened it, what came out was thick, white, wormy stuff in a pale gold liquid. It turned my stomach so badly I inherently mistrust boxed wine now.

I also can't eat oatmeal because of a graphic story told to me in high school. Just THINKING about the story makes my gorge rise.

[craig139.livejournal.com]

Such a vivid imagination.

[bloodsong1.livejournal.com]

Well, yes, but the wine story is true. I realize it was a freak occurrence. It doesn't help.

[craig139.livejournal.com]

Gotcha. Looking forward to seeing you at Barb's!