Labs And Cholesterol Levels

[Shalon 10]

I am now just over three months post-surgery. I have some numbness in two of the toes in my right foot, so my regular physician decided to run some labs since the surgeon won't run them until six months post-surgery.

In December 2010 my cholesterol was 247. In February of 2011 I had gotten it down to 150. I was really hoping my labs would be at or close to normal, however, I just got the results and my cholesterol is up to 199! What the eff? My gastric bypass friend says it has to do with our bodies returning the food back to our systems more quickly (no idea what she's talking about) and that action can cause increased Cholesterol Levels. My LDL was 39 for reference.

Everything else was fine, somethings on the lower side, but nothing was too low or too high and all fell within the "normal range" I kind of expected my B12 to be low and for that to explain the numbness, but it was within normal range also.

Did anyone else experience INCREASED cholesterol post-surgery?

[TheNewMe2011 1]

i am only 1 month out. can not answer your question but did you check if it is genetic?

[SKCUNNINGHAM 298]

My 9 month post surgery labs cholesterol levels were >200 (after being lowest at 3 months, higher at 6 months but still normal). The total amount is 239. It certainly isn't what I am eating. I eat Protein and veggies and low fat dairy. My family heredity is my issue. I am working to get my cholesterol lower by adding oatmeal, flaxseed, flax oil, and Garlique tablets to my daily regime to see if I can get it lower by my 12 month labs. I am also upping the amount of exercise I do.

Pre-surgery I was on a statin, eating anything I wanted, and my numbers were way worse than they are now. (High 300's I think)I'm sure I could get below 200 with a statin - but would like to stay off of them. I will know in February - so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

[thebionicbroad 127]

In spite of the brainwashing out there, a normal cholesterol range is 200 - 220. Your cholesterol ratio, total cholesterol to your HDL number, is a better way to figure your heart attack risk than just cholesterol alone. According to the mayo Clinic:

"You can calculate your cholesterol ratio by dividing your high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good") cholesterol into your total cholesterol. For example, if your total cholesterol is 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), and your HDL cholesterol is 50 mg/dL, your cholesterol ratio is 4-to-1. The goal is to keep your cholesterol ratio 4-to-1 or lower. A higher ratio indicates a higher risk of heart disease; a lower ratio indicates a lower risk"

A low cholesterol score can actually be more of a heart attack danger than one around 220. It all depends on your ratio.

[kemo46 82]

It sounds like it could be genetics. My cholesterol was 237 before my surgery and has gone down at my 3 and 6 month blood labs. It is 136 now. Did your doctor check your blood sugar? The numbness in my feet was the symptom I showed when I was diagnosed with Diabetes. My blood sugar is normal now and I take no medication but I would think that your doctor would check your blood sugar and perform an A1C test( 3 month average) to see your blood sugar level.

I agree with thebionicbroad, if you listen to most doctors and the Pharmaceutical companies, you would be on medication for everything.