Dr. McDougall's Online Discussion Board

Well, I’m not sure how to categorize this since I’m not sure it qualifies as a success story, but I am really excited about my new doctor and latest blood-work.

My new Primary Care Physician is a wonderful vegan doctor (http://www.allmedphysicians.com/) who actually pays attention and listens! As a new patient, blood-work was ordered and for the first time ever, blood insulin was measured.

The results:
Blood insulin: 0.7 uIU/mL. The normal range is 2.6 to 24.9 uIU/mL.
A1C: 5.6%. Normal range is 4.1 to 6.0% - for non-diabetics.

This resulted in a round of jumping applause from my new doctor which is in contrast to my previous doctor that would have been freaked over the A1C. Because I am a Type 1 diabetic, he always wanted me to keep it above 7%! Dr. Carney said that to have a normal A1C (especially as a T1 diabetic) with below normal blood insulin was beyond excellent!

Lipid panel:
Total cholesterol: 131 mg/dl
Triglycerides: 71 mg/dl
HDL cholesterol: 46 mg/dl
LDL cholesterol: 14 mg/dl

The 14 mg/dl LDL cholesterol prompted another round of jumping applause.

The combination of normal A1C with below normal blood insulin and living on a diet of starch seems to fly in the face of so many studies claiming that carbohydrates raises blood glucose, thus raises insulin levels over low-carb diets. I was very happy that the blood insulin test was taken to prove what I have known for years by personal experience as a Type 1 diabetic; the lower the fat intake, the lower the blood glucose, requiring lower insulin doses. Additionally, the lower the fat intake the greater the energy and feel-good level. Have yet to find a limit!

Thanks for listening,

Ken

does she have any like minded colleagues in Seattle?
Riva

Riva wrote:does she have any like minded colleagues in Seattle?
Riva

Hi Riva,
There doesn't seem to be any in Seattle, but, there may be some in Washington. check here: http://www.drmcdougall.com/doctors/. That is where I found Dr. Carney. Just enter WA in the search field and select State.

I also found Sabrina Seitz, RN, MH
Red Clover Nutritional & Herbal Therapies
24323 E. Gage St.
Liberty Lake, WA 99019
(509) 879-9051
http://www.redclovernutrition.com from the Wellness Forum.

Ken

Congrats on the great numbers!

Hi Ken,

I just 'looked in' here after several months away and I'm delighted to read about your excellent numbers in your blood work!

Congratulations to your continued success! You still inspire me.

Erbse

Ken,

LDL = TC - HDL - TG/5.0

For you, LDL = 131-46 - 71/5,
so LDL = 71.

Am I missing something?

EvanG wrote:Ken,

LDL = TC - HDL - TG/5.0

For you, LDL = 131-46 - 71/5,
so LDL = 71.

Am I missing something?

Good question! I am unaware of that formula. The numbers are direct from the lab report. I notice that adding LDL, HDL and triglycerides together equals the total. That made me assume that total was total.
Perhaps I am missing something! I'll ask my doctor about that.

Ken

EvanG,

Nope, you are correct. The "copied" form I received did have a typo. It is a little funny that my doctor was jumping and clapping about my lipid panel results - that I thought she was referring to the 14 LDL. But, what she was looking at was the real numbers - as you calculated. She did not know my copy had a typo. She probably was wondering what 14 I was talking about.

Oh, well, it isn't quite so stellar as a 14, but still isn't bad.

Thanks for the catch!

Ken

Fantastic! Nice going. This does bring up a question I've never been able to get straight. I understand that LDL is sent out from the liver to supply the various cholesterol needs of the body. So how low is too low? At what point do we start starving the various cells and organs of their vital cholesterol supply?

Coacervate wrote:Fantastic! Nice going. This does bring up a question I've never been able to get straight. I understand that LDL is sent out from the liver to supply the various cholesterol needs of the body. So how low is too low? At what point do we start starving the various cells and organs of their vital cholesterol supply?

Coacervate, you might find this discussion of interest.

http://www.drmcdougall.com/forums/viewt ... =7&t=28502

Thank you very much. One less thing to worry about!