choco_frosh: (Default)
[personal profile] choco_frosh
Dear GP,
Thank you for sending me my blood test results.
I am sadly unsurprised to learn that my cholesterol (of all varieties, as you so rightly clarify) is now unacceptably high. I always knew that my muffin habit was going to be the ruin of me; I suppose that I am thankful that the way it did so was merely physical, rather than also being financial.

This does, however, raise a question. While you are quite right that I need to do something about this, how am I supposed to accomplish that? DON'T say exercise more: I walk a mile-and-a-half to work every day, IN the snow, and go jogging...well, ok, less frequently than I probably should, but it's winter, so daylight is something that happens while I'm at work, rather than after, and I think it's gotten above 20F ONCE in the last two weeks.

Furthermore, let me remind you of two facts that you can read on my chart: that I last weighed in at right around 150lbs, and that I'm on antidepressants. I realize that that 150's theoretically in the healthy/normal range of the spectrum, but you should remember that a disproportionate amount of that is leg muscle; in any case, I'm pretty sure my ribs aren't supposed to be that visible. And meantime, fatty things tend to = tasty things = things that make me happy. Hence: can you suggest some ways for me to cut my fat intake without losing either weight or my sanity?

Yours always,
Schreiber

Date: 2018-01-07 02:04 am (UTC)
lauradi7dw: (Default)
From: [personal profile] lauradi7dw
I'm not your doctor and my opinions tend not to be useful for you, but I can't stand not responding. The knee-jerk diet and exercise prescription is for a couple of reasons:
1) It beats statins for many people. Most of your (everybody's) cholesterol comes from your liver, not from food. We need some, which is why we make it. Statins goof with the production, but also have adverse affects in many cases. For some people, the little improvements from diet are good enough, and most USians could stand to do more exercise.
2) Improved diet and exercise are also beneficial for other blood vessel related things like blood pressure and dealing with glucose (ie efficient insulin, etc). On the other hand, stress reduction is useful for one's cardio-vascular system, and if a serious diet change increases your stress, that is not so great. (reminder - don't take my word for it).

Date: 2018-01-09 08:21 pm (UTC)
lauradi7dw: (Default)
From: [personal profile] lauradi7dw
Maybe clinicians are getting away from over-prescribing statins. I remember hearing a cardiologist claim that all cardiologists took them, by implication whether they met the criteria or not. I was shocked, but that was almost ten years ago.

Date: 2018-01-07 04:55 am (UTC)
sovay: (Sovay: David Owen)
From: [personal profile] sovay
I always knew that my muffin habit was going to be the ruin of me; I suppose that I am thankful that the way it did so was merely physical, rather than also being financial.

You are not allowed to have a heart attack from muffins. That is way too close to being nibbled to death by ducks.

What suggestions regarding diet did your doctor actually have?

Date: 2018-01-08 06:33 am (UTC)
sovay: (I Claudius)
From: [personal profile] sovay
And it's not JUST my morning muffin habit, though that's certainly a contributor.

I did not actually think it was just the muffins. I'm just saying, no heart attack. I'm glad your blood pressure is reasonable.

Yeah, especially since exercise is not going to be the solution for you, a personalized diet plan or at least some kind of consult about your options sounds like a good idea.

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choco_frosh: (Default)
Schreiber

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