On a low carb diet but my cholesterol is 8.9!

[Destinysdaughter]

I’m over 50 and had a health check recently. Part of this was a blood test. Although I’m 10 stone and my BMI is fine, my cholesterol is 8.9 which is really high! I’m a big convert to low carb eating as it’s the only thing that has really helped me lose weight, especially as I’m an apple shape and carry my excess weight on my tummy. However, the cholesterol reading has made me worry and made me think should I go back to a more ‘normal ‘ diet and reduce my fat?

Disclaimer, the blood test also showed I have an under active thyroid which can also affect cholesterol levels.

Would really appreciate any advice as to what I should do?

[Velocity]

Hi there, you need to look at the ratio between HDL and your LDL reading - not total cholesterol, this calculator should help. If you are within range then it should be no problem www.cardiosmart.org/Tools/Cholesterol-Calculator

[vintagebella]

This happened to me except mine went up to 12.7! I just wanted to reassure you that it's not the end of the world for a couple of reasons. Firstly, yes, your thyroid affects various workings of your body, cholesterol being one of them. In fact, it's how my thyroid issues were discovered. Secondly, I see you're 50 - recent research has shown that it's better for post menopausal and older women to have a slightly higher cholesterol provided the ratio of good/bad cholesterol is good. I can't remember the number right now but as the pp said, you can calculate it. In fact, my gp surgery gave me the numbers and even with a total cholesterol level of 12.7 my ratio was excellent. I don't know if this is true for men who have completely different bodily fat and hormones.

Don't get me wrong, I panicked too when I saw the number as previously I'd had an expected level of 5.7. What I didn't appreciate is that things have moved on since then (25 years ago) and a high total cholesterol level is no longer seen as a useful indicator of anything.

Anyway, once my thyroid issue was identified and treated my total cholesterol level started coming down. It's still a 'high' total number at 8 but the ratio is excellent. My gp also did some sort of assessment to assess my risk of a stroke and even with the cholesterol issue I'm at very low risk. I suspect with your build, even with the cholesterol you'd be at very low risk too. HTH

[Destinysdaughter]

@vintagebella thanks for that, that is really helpful. I’ve got another blood test in 6 weeks so I will see if the thyroxine tablets have altered the cholesterol. I’ve lowered my fat intake and am now eating more carbs as I got scared. Can feel the weight going back on my tummy already tho...🙁

[BIWI]

@Destinysdaughter you might like to read this piece by Zoe Harcombe about cholesterol.

[goose1964]

I've had problems with cholesterol for years, I had to see my gp today and he said diet has very little effect on cholesterol, and that exercise has the most but mainly it's just down to your body.