Cholesterol Q - I am very confused

[gauge22-v2]

I am very confused on my latest blood work.

My lipids have always been on the shittier side. Likely genetic...

Blood tests are below:



My cholesterol looks like it has improved pretty well from June to Sep.

I have been taking Rosuvastatin at a very low dose 5mg EOD. In very early July I ran out and my Dr retired unexpectedly, so could not refill.

The only major variables I can think of that changed from June test to September were:

- Added some fish oils. Roughly 5grams per day
- Increased egg consumption (direct from farmer)
- Increased ground beef consumption. This went from around 200grams per day up to around 350grams per day (cooked)
- Dramatically reduced 0% Greek yogurt/whey consumption. I was relying too much on these for protein intake (replaced with beef/eggs for the most part)
- CPAP therapy started on July 28th. Sleep time has improved greatly along with quality

Is the change in cholesterol markers due to the CPAP therapy?

What do you think is driving the positive change?

I am pretty confused on this and I am leaning towards CPAP therapy for the major change, but this was pretty unexpected tbh.....

 

[j2048b]

I am very confused on my latest blood work.

My lipids have always been on the shittier side. Likely genetic...

Blood tests are below:

View attachment 236384

My cholesterol looks like it has improved pretty well from June to Sep.

I have been taking Rosuvastatin at a very low dose 5mg EOD. In very early July I ran out and my Dr retired unexpectedly, so could not refill.

The only major variables I can think of that changed from June test to September were:

- Added some fish oils. Roughly 5grams per day
- Increased egg consumption (direct from farmer)
- Increased ground beef consumption. This went from around 200grams per day up to around 350grams per day (cooked)
- Dramatically reduced 0% Greek yogurt/whey consumption. I was relying too much on these for protein intake (replaced with beef/eggs for the most part)
- CPAP therapy started on July 28th. Sleep time has improved greatly along with quality

Is the change in cholesterol markers due to the CPAP therapy?

What do you think is driving the positive change?

I am pretty confused on this and I am leaning towards CPAP therapy for the major change, but this was pretty unexpected tbh.....

That is odd but perhaps the statin has had an effect on the liver synthesis of cholesterol??

Any other otc meds and or supps that u take that may contribute to lowering cholesterol?

Only other thing i could think of is dropping the whey… maybe the more beef/eggs?

Dunno but ima have to try ur diet as well to see

Go get a concise nmr cardio iq lipid panel done to check everything deeply in terms of cholesterol… see where other markers are

 

[buck]

Have you gotten outside during the summer and got seem sun(Vit D). Been more active or done anything else different?

 

[Flex500]

I am very confused on my latest blood work.

My lipids have always been on the shittier side. Likely genetic...

Blood tests are below:

View attachment 236384

My cholesterol looks like it has improved pretty well from June to Sep.

I have been taking Rosuvastatin at a very low dose 5mg EOD. In very early July I ran out and my Dr retired unexpectedly, so could not refill.

The only major variables I can think of that changed from June test to September were:

- Added some fish oils. Roughly 5grams per day
- Increased egg consumption (direct from farmer)
- Increased ground beef consumption. This went from around 200grams per day up to around 350grams per day (cooked)
- Dramatically reduced 0% Greek yogurt/whey consumption. I was relying too much on these for protein intake (replaced with beef/eggs for the most part)
- CPAP therapy started on July 28th. Sleep time has improved greatly along with quality

Is the change in cholesterol markers due to the CPAP therapy?

What do you think is driving the positive change?

I am pretty confused on this and I am leaning towards CPAP therapy for the major change, but this was pretty unexpected tbh.....

Your Feb numbers were actually pretty solid overall; the only real knock was HDL being on the low side, but not terrible. The June panel was the outlier, with LDL spiking into the ~150 range. By September things looked much better. LDL back near optimal, HDL bouncing up nicely, and triglycerides consistently solid across all three.

If anything, I’d be more curious about what specifically drove the LDL jump in June, since your baseline (Feb) and recovery (Sep) look much more like your true pattern. From my perspective, I wouldn’t think a statin is necessary for these numbers, just some attention to keeping HDL trending upward.

 

[Siggy]

Nevermind

 

[Siggy]

Whats your current AAS stack?

 

[Sectør]

I am very confused on my latest blood work.

My lipids have always been on the shittier side. Likely genetic...

Blood tests are below:

View attachment 236384

My cholesterol looks like it has improved pretty well from June to Sep.

I have been taking Rosuvastatin at a very low dose 5mg EOD. In very early July I ran out and my Dr retired unexpectedly, so could not refill.

The only major variables I can think of that changed from June test to September were:

- Added some fish oils. Roughly 5grams per day
- Increased egg consumption (direct from farmer)
- Increased ground beef consumption. This went from around 200grams per day up to around 350grams per day (cooked)
- Dramatically reduced 0% Greek yogurt/whey consumption. I was relying too much on these for protein intake (replaced with beef/eggs for the most part)
- CPAP therapy started on July 28th. Sleep time has improved greatly along with quality

Is the change in cholesterol markers due to the CPAP therapy?

What do you think is driving the positive change?

I am pretty confused on this and I am leaning towards CPAP therapy for the major change, but this was pretty unexpected tbh.....

Definitely thrilled to see the improvements

I just added 5mg to rovustatin Ed because I’ve been dealing with cholesterol issues for a while, so this is very promising to me.

 

[gauge22-v2]

That is odd but perhaps the statin has had an effect on the liver synthesis of cholesterol??

Any other otc meds and or supps that u take that may contribute to lowering cholesterol?

Only other thing i could think of is dropping the whey… maybe the more beef/eggs?

Dunno but ima have to try ur diet as well to see

Go get a concise nmr cardio iq lipid panel done to check everything deeply in terms of cholesterol… see where other markers are

Appreciate the reply.

Thats the weird thing. I was not taking anything that would have caused poorer lipids and/or improved them.

Beef/Egg (sat fat) consumption is up. Small amount of fish oils. Drop the minor statin. Just at TRT dose which was the same as prior blood test....

I am perplexed.

Have you gotten outside during the summer and got seem sun(Vit D). Been more active or done anything else different?

Ahh....yes most definitely been outside a shit ton more.

Your Feb numbers were actually pretty solid overall; the only real knock was HDL being on the low side, but not terrible. The June panel was the outlier, with LDL spiking into the ~150 range. By September things looked much better. LDL back near optimal, HDL bouncing up nicely, and triglycerides consistently solid across all three.

If anything, I’d be more curious about what specifically drove the LDL jump in June, since your baseline (Feb) and recovery (Sep) look much more like your true pattern. From my perspective, I wouldn’t think a statin is necessary for these numbers, just some attention to keeping HDL trending upward.

Statins were suggested by the GP given family history. Given all my issues with sleeping I pulled those as statins can cause sleep issues in a minority of folks.

My HDL has not been this high in 5-6 years. Nor has my LDL been this low over the same time period.

I guess I should not look the proverbial "gift horse in the mouth", but it would be great to determine the why behind this....

I am thinking it is time to take a road trip to the USA to get an extensive panel done with APOB as someone recommended. Shame the Cad healthcare system wont test for this...fucking commies!

 

[gauge22-v2]

That is odd but perhaps the statin has had an effect on the liver synthesis of cholesterol??

Any other otc meds and or supps that u take that may contribute to lowering cholesterol?

Only other thing i could think of is dropping the whey… maybe the more beef/eggs?

Dunno but ima have to try ur diet as well to see

Go get a concise nmr cardio iq lipid panel done to check everything deeply in terms of cholesterol… see where other markers are

Yeah, I have to get this done. Unfortunately it requires close to 12 hours driving to the USA as Canuckistan wont test you extensively....ffs they wont even test for vit d up here....

Great Falls MT here I come!

 

[Flex500]

Appreciate the reply.

Thats the weird thing. I was not taking anything that would have caused poorer lipids and/or improved them.

Beef/Egg (sat fat) consumption is up. Small amount of fish oils. Drop the minor statin. Just at TRT dose which was the same as prior blood test....

I am perplexed.


Ahh....yes most definitely been outside a shit ton more.


Statins were suggested by the GP given family history. Given all my issues with sleeping I pulled those as statins can cause sleep issues in a minority of folks.

My HDL has not been this high in 5-6 years. Nor has my LDL been this low over the same time period.

I guess I should not look the proverbial "gift horse in the mouth", but it would be great to determine the why behind this....

I am thinking it is time to take a road trip to the USA to get an extensive panel done with APOB as someone recommended. Shame the Cad healthcare system wont test for this...fucking commies!

have you changed the makeup of your macros much? I am very sensitive to carbs in and out and it has a massive impact on my lipid panel

 

[whacked]

Best heart health biomarkers.
In no particular order.

Trigs/HDL
You want as close to a 1:1 ratio as possible. This is a proxy market for metabolic health and thus CVD risk.

ApoA and HDL
You want these in healthy ranges. These transport cholesterol away from tissue and back into the liver for deconstruction or excretion.

ApoB
You want healthy levels. Tells us particle count (not size) and atherosclerotic burden but this should be stratified even further via NMR (particle size) to see if the particles are large or small and dense. The latter (SDLP) is atherogenic!

ApoA/ApoB ratio
Very is valuable in determining CVD risk

VLDL (transports Trigs) and Trig levels.
These are important proxy’s for how healthily your insulin sensitivity (or resistance) and thus, metabolic profile is.

*Fasting Insulin is a better metabolic health marker than VLDL and Trigs
**Oral Glucose insulin (not glucose) challenge test is great as well
***A1C is helpful but doesn’t tell the whole story. Loaded with blind spots.
****Ditto C-Peptide as well. One more puzzle-piece but limited. Needs context.

Ox-LDL or OxPL/ApoB (even better)
Valuable marker but not the be all end all. LDL is BS and largely useless. When LDL’s get oxidized = problem/ atherosclerotic

*Studies have proven time and time and time again that a higher LDL level = longevity. It’s the oxidized LDL’s that are a problem and cause CAD/CVD. People keep chasing a # (get LDL as low as possible w statins) but realizing that the LDL # is virtually useless when you get your head around the above.
**LDL is extremely beneficial/valuable for the immune system/process to fight pathogens and cancer.

*TBH: Higher LDL + lower ApoB + low inflammation (HS-CRP, Homocysteine, IL-6, etc….with LP-PLA2 and MPO being more specific for endothelial inflammation vs general/systemic) are where you want to be for OPTIMAL health and longevity.

*These are all DIRECTLY impacted by metabolic health. IMO, it’s all about metabolic health (unless you have genetic polymorphisms that drive other pathological lipid levels like Lp(a) or FH….APOE4 comes into play here too).

*When there is inflammation in the arteries via plaque formation via macrophages —-> foam cell production - your PLAC2 (LP-PLA2) activity will be elevated as well as your MPO (Myeloperoxidase) levels so if you ever want to know if you have any plaque activity going on - get these 2 biomarkers.

All of this said, imaging (CAC, CINT, CT-angio) remains superior when assessing CVD risk or when looking for definitive CAD/plaque activity…. vs stitching together data to make a guess (albeit an educated one) as to what your cardiovascular health profile REALLY looks like.

PS. Plaque begets plaque so once you have it (only verifiable via imaging), stopping the progression and with hard work - reversing it - is wise.

What does this?
-Optimal Metabolic health
-Keep inflammation low (food sensitivities, allergies, stress, toxins, heavy metals, molds - whatever!)

All these statins and PCSK9-i’s and similar cholesterol lowering meds do is mask the underlying pathology …. and add to it. Statins decrease insulin sensitivity and lower vital healthy lipids your body and brain need! Diabetes and Dementia/Alzheimers and illness all INCREASE with statin or other cholesterol lowering pharmacological approaches.

Unless you’re a fat pig who refuses to ditch processed BS and exercise or have genetics-related lipid issues, these meds are addressing the wrong issue, potentially making things worse and exposing people to other diseases.

Moral of the story
You can have sky high LDL. As long as you have healthy ApoB levels, healthy endothelial health (Glycocalyx), metabolic health markers (Insulin, inflammation) - you can live to 120 and die with minimal to no plaque.

Ps. Why are GLP’s being touted as very helpful for CVD patients? It’s not the weight loss or anything to do with lipid levels. It’s their ability to improve metabolic health and they are anti-inflammatory.

 

[gauge22-v2]

have you changed the makeup of your macros much? I am very sensitive to carbs in and out and it has a massive impact on my lipid panel

Good suggestion to look at these....

Carb intake has increased, protein decreased as I am basically got rid of all the whey/yogurt in the diet.

4 weeks prior to June blood test
pro 280
carb 166
fat 86

From Jun 29 - Sep 1 (last bloodwork)
pro 234
carb 245
fat 71

 

[whacked]

Good suggestion to look at these....

Carb intake has increased, protein decreased as I am basically got rid of all the whey/yogurt in the diet.

4 weeks prior to June blood test
pro 280
carb 166
fat 86

From Jun 29 - Sep 1 (last bloodwork)
pro 234
carb 245
fat 71

Do you know what your A1C hovers around?

 

[gauge22-v2]

Do you know what your A1C hovers around?

Last time, June, was 5%.

 

[whacked]

I am very confused on my latest blood work.

My lipids have always been on the shittier side. Likely genetic...

Blood tests are below:

View attachment 236384

My cholesterol looks like it has improved pretty well from June to Sep.

I have been taking Rosuvastatin at a very low dose 5mg EOD. In very early July I ran out and my Dr retired unexpectedly, so could not refill.

The only major variables I can think of that changed from June test to September were:

- Added some fish oils. Roughly 5grams per day
- Increased egg consumption (direct from farmer)
- Increased ground beef consumption. This went from around 200grams per day up to around 350grams per day (cooked)
- Dramatically reduced 0% Greek yogurt/whey consumption. I was relying too much on these for protein intake (replaced with beef/eggs for the most part)
- CPAP therapy started on July 28th. Sleep time has improved greatly along with quality

Is the change in cholesterol markers due to the CPAP therapy?

What do you think is driving the positive change?

I am pretty confused on this and I am leaning towards CPAP therapy for the major change, but this was pretty unexpected tbh.....

I think you nailed it with:

1. Improved sleep (vastly under rated in terms of so many health markers)

2. Fish oils

3. Reducing dairy. This is a very individual thing, but it can be inflammatory in some people (thus impacting lipid levels). Im one of them so other than Keifer for probiotics - I had to get rid of it.

 

[whacked]

Last time, June, was 5%.

Nice. That’s rock solid.

 

[whacked]

View attachment 236384

My cholesterol looks like it has improved pretty well from June to Sep.

Is the change in cholesterol markers due to the CPAP therapy?

What do you think is driving the positive change?

I am pretty confused on this and I am leaning towards CPAP therapy for the major change, but this was pretty unexpected tbh.....

The Association Between Poor Sleep Quality and Lipid Levels Among Dyslipidemia Patients in Thailand: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study - PMC

Background: Dyslipidemia increases cardiometabolic risk, but the impact of sleep quality on lipid levels remains uncertain. This study aims to assess the prevalence of poor sleep quality in patients with dyslipidemia and its association with lipid ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cliff notes:
The study highlights a significant association between poor sleep quality and elevated triglyceride levels and LDL-C, emphasizing sleep quality as a modifiable factor impacting cardiovascular health through lipid profiles. These findings suggest that healthcare strategies should address both enhancing sleep quality and managing lipid levels to potentially lower cardiovascular risks associated with dyslipidemia and poor sleep. Therefore, a comprehensive treatment approach that integrates both sleep and lipid management is recommended.

Chat GPT search....
How improved sleep affects your lipid panel

• Triglycerides: Multiple studies show that better sleep quality and duration correlate with lower triglyceride levels. Some research indicates this link is particularly strong for individuals who sleep less than 7 hours per night.
• LDL cholesterol: Research has found an association between poor subjective sleep quality and elevated LDL cholesterol. Improving sleep can help regulate the metabolic pathways that contribute to lower LDL levels.
• HDL cholesterol:Better sleep is associated with higher levels of HDL, the "good" cholesterol that helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream. People who consistently get 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night often have higher HDL numbers.
  • Metabolic dysfunction: Sleep is crucial for regulating the circadian system, which controls lipid metabolism in a 24-hour cycle.
    • Enzyme activity: Key enzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis and breakdown show a circadian variation. Disrupted sleep can impair the activity of these enzymes, altering lipid metabolism.
    • Inflammation: Inadequate sleep can increase systemic inflammation, which is known to contribute to dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease.

Well lookie lookie - there's those 2 word/phrases again lol

 

[gauge22-v2]

The Association Between Poor Sleep Quality and Lipid Levels Among Dyslipidemia Patients in Thailand: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study - PMC

Background: Dyslipidemia increases cardiometabolic risk, but the impact of sleep quality on lipid levels remains uncertain. This study aims to assess the prevalence of poor sleep quality in patients with dyslipidemia and its association with lipid ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cliff notes:
The study highlights a significant association between poor sleep quality and elevated triglyceride levels and LDL-C, emphasizing sleep quality as a modifiable factor impacting cardiovascular health through lipid profiles. These findings suggest that healthcare strategies should address both enhancing sleep quality and managing lipid levels to potentially lower cardiovascular risks associated with dyslipidemia and poor sleep. Therefore, a comprehensive treatment approach that integrates both sleep and lipid management is recommended.

Chat GPT search....
How improved sleep affects your lipid panel

• Triglycerides: Multiple studies show that better sleep quality and duration correlate with lower triglyceride levels. Some research indicates this link is particularly strong for individuals who sleep less than 7 hours per night.
• LDL cholesterol: Research has found an association between poor subjective sleep quality and elevated LDL cholesterol. Improving sleep can help regulate the metabolic pathways that contribute to lower LDL levels.
• HDL cholesterol:Better sleep is associated with higher levels of HDL, the "good" cholesterol that helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream. People who consistently get 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night often have higher HDL numbers.
  • Metabolic dysfunction: Sleep is crucial for regulating the circadian system, which controls lipid metabolism in a 24-hour cycle.
    • Enzyme activity: Key enzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis and breakdown show a circadian variation. Disrupted sleep can impair the activity of these enzymes, altering lipid metabolism.
    • Inflammation: Inadequate sleep can increase systemic inflammation, which is known to contribute to dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease.

Well lookie lookie - there's those 2 word/phrases again lol

I did check out Chatgpt and I would wager it is the CPAP giving me this un-expected increase in health markers.

My EGFR also improved, 46->52 in that short span. This one I did expect to get better, given what Apnea can do to kidneys.

I would be surprised if there was ANY organ/mechanism in the body that it does not impact.

 

[whacked]

I did check out Chatgpt and I would wager it is the CPAP giving me this un-expected increase in health markers.

My EGFR also improved, 46->52 in that short span. This one I did expect to get better, given what Apnea can do to kidneys.

I would be surprised if there was ANY organ/mechanism in the body that it does not impact.

Good stuff & congrats on all the improved numbers and health

 

[Stewie]

The Association Between Poor Sleep Quality and Lipid Levels Among Dyslipidemia Patients in Thailand: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study - PMC

Background: Dyslipidemia increases cardiometabolic risk, but the impact of sleep quality on lipid levels remains uncertain. This study aims to assess the prevalence of poor sleep quality in patients with dyslipidemia and its association with lipid ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cliff notes:
The study highlights a significant association between poor sleep quality and elevated triglyceride levels and LDL-C, emphasizing sleep quality as a modifiable factor impacting cardiovascular health through lipid profiles. These findings suggest that healthcare strategies should address both enhancing sleep quality and managing lipid levels to potentially lower cardiovascular risks associated with dyslipidemia and poor sleep. Therefore, a comprehensive treatment approach that integrates both sleep and lipid management is recommended.

Chat GPT search....
How improved sleep affects your lipid panel

• Triglycerides: Multiple studies show that better sleep quality and duration correlate with lower triglyceride levels. Some research indicates this link is particularly strong for individuals who sleep less than 7 hours per night.
• LDL cholesterol: Research has found an association between poor subjective sleep quality and elevated LDL cholesterol. Improving sleep can help regulate the metabolic pathways that contribute to lower LDL levels.
• HDL cholesterol:Better sleep is associated with higher levels of HDL, the "good" cholesterol that helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream. People who consistently get 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night often have higher HDL numbers.
  • Metabolic dysfunction: Sleep is crucial for regulating the circadian system, which controls lipid metabolism in a 24-hour cycle.
    • Enzyme activity: Key enzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis and breakdown show a circadian variation. Disrupted sleep can impair the activity of these enzymes, altering lipid metabolism.
    • Inflammation: Inadequate sleep can increase systemic inflammation, which is known to contribute to dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease.

Well lookie lookie - there's those 2 word/phrases again lol

I've taken notice, you enjoy indulging in autodidacticism, kudos!


If time allows, being that a portion of your queries are through AI generation-retrieving.

See what you come up with by copying and pasting this: OSA->hypoxia-inducible factors->catecholamines release-endoplasmic reticulum stress-mitochondria endoplasmic reticulum associated membrane->lipoprotein metabolism. See if this assessment of a pathophysiological pathway linking obstructive sleep apnea to dyslipidemia.

You'll see that the primary organelle- endoplasmic reticulum is where a bulk of phospholipids, cholesterol, and lipoproteins, are synthesized; playing a biggly role in lipid metabolism.

Replace lipids in that querie with anything within your imagination related to physiology.