To think these cholesterol values are very bad?

[AtDeathsDoor]

Cholesterol level 8.26 mmol/L
LDL cholesterol level 6.04 mmol/L
HDL cholesterol level 1.27 mmol/L
non HDL cholesterol level 6.99 mmol/L
cholesterol/HDL ratio 6.5 mmol/mmol

Should I be seriously worried about these values?
I’m ok about dropping down dead but I don’t want to be incapacitated
I’m mid fifties and obese.

Oh, and I saw the surgery pharmacist who was brilliant.

She went through my blood test results and all my meds (not just the new ones I was starting). We covered other stuff too, which she helped with.

I came out of the appointment feeling like I'd had a really positive experience. It covered a lot more than a GP 'one-issue' appointment.

The ratio should be under 4 I believe as well

Are you a bit 'all or nothing'?

How overweight are you, running when you're very heavy, even the walking sections may be troublesome but then you may be very able, aplogies if not

This. I tried c25k it's a lot harder then you think it's gonna be I never managed to complete it

Alpen sugar free would be a good start, you could have it with low fat greek yoghurt so it would give you some protein too.

Getting your depression meds sorted out would be a great step forwards. I went through loads of different meds until I got the right one. It makes a big difference to being able to function (or not).

When I was very poorly, it helped to set goals so that I didn't feel so useless all the time. Just stuff like getting out of bed and going downstairs. Then I'd progress to brushing teeth and washing my face. On good days, I could even get in the shower.

I think people who haven't had clinical depression really don't get how overwhelming everyday life can be. Just take it one day at a time, it will get better even though I know you can't see it. Don't beat yourself up. You are ill. My doctor said to me once 'you are sad not bad' so don't punish yourself. Keep going, you can do it.

Yep, definitely all-or-nothing 😀
My BMi is about 33 so well into the obese category.
I have completed the C25k a couple of times before but it is hard on the joints when so heavy.

Super quick meals, pretty much 2 minutes' prep time maximum:

Bag of salad from the supermarket, couple of jars of pickles you like, tin of Mackerel in flavoured olive oil/tuna, precooked salmon or prawns, punnet of cherry tomatoes - half the salad in a bowl, few cherry tomatoes, add some spoonfuls of beetroot/olives/sandwich gherkins, open tin and dump fish on top, add lemon juice/pepper if you've got it, maybe a bread roll - 30-odd seconds from opening the salad to ready to eat.

Next lunch - other half of salad bag, different fish.

Microwaved packs of veg and new potatoes.

Microwave jacket potatoes.

Maybe a bag of microwave rice + prawns or cooked chicken with salad.

Breakfasts - big blob of yoghurt, some dates, some brazils/walnuts/pecans and some seeds, tablespoon or two of cereal on top. Maybe get some strawberries for a couple of days or banana, maybe kiwi, whatever fruit you like. Or plain yoghurt, dates, nuts & seeds, blob of peanut butter and some fortified chocolate cereal on top.

Feeling a bit cold and miserable? Make up some chicken stock from a cube, throw in some rice noodles, frozen peas, couple of cherry tomatoes quartered, a few prawns or chicken, cut up a spring onion with scissors, add soy and some chilli flakes. Do it in a largish mug, stick a saucer over the top and by the time the noodles are soft and the peas are warmed through, it's cool enough to drink/eat.

Minimal time in the kitchen, minimal effort, as it's largely opening things, but a lot of colour, nutrition and flavour.

Thanks @unsync, that’s really kind.
Im glad you have managed to get your depression under control

This has to be a joke

You have to. You've got to think about everyone else too. Your actions are affecting the nhs.

Oh fuck off

Sadly not. I had 13 snickers one day. I only stop when they are all gone.

Not affecting the NHS yet.

And another oh fuck off from me.

Thanks so much for all the helpful and supportive posts. xx

Yes my family has the genetic version and my GP said we could live on lettuce leaves and it will still be high. Statins sorts us all out and none of us has a single side effect.

@AtDeathsDoor your cholesterol is high, but I’ve known much higher. Statins took mine from about the same to 4 in three months.

A wise nutritionist once told me that a person is only ever as healthy as their gut. It has been proven that gut health contributes to good mental health. All that sugar will be wreaking havoc.

Tomorrow, lovely, perhaps have eggs for breakfast and have some fibre. And a big drink of water. Start small and like pp have said, ask for some help.

Please tell us one good thing about yourself. They’ll be something, for sure. I’m kind and have nice feet. Your turn x

Thanks @Apolloneuro
My fingernails grow freakishly fast 😀
Is there a test which identifies if the high cholesterol is genetic?

Are your blood sugar levels also high? It’s a really good idea to get on the medication you need now, but also to start to make lifestyle changes: the dreaded diet and exercise. It’s amazing how even small changes really make a difference.

Because the problem is, while you may drop down dead, those sort of conditions make it more likely that you will have long, unpleasant years of increasingly bad health and incapacity first. Best to do what you can to avoid that.

Ime, when I can do the good things for my physical health, it also massively improves my mental health too.

Also, I’m on statins for high cholesterol and 30mg citalopram which no one has suggested I should stop. So I don’t think you need worry about that.

I’m not sure. In my family it was obvious as all the slim, healthy eating and exercising members had high cholesterol, over three generations. Our DNA was taken for a research project.

It kinda doesn’t matter anyway as nutritious food and healthy lifestyle matters for all the other reasons. Statins will bring it down my darling.

This sounds bonkers, but every time you clean your teeth or something look in the mirror and say out loud a simple positive affirmation like “I am worth nurturing and I am loved.” If you like reading or listening to audible try out Louise Hay’s books.

Baby steps. You reached out on here. That’s good.

Thank you for your kindness xx

Yes there may well be a link to what you eat and how you feel, OP.

You said no dependents but you have pets. Who would look after them if you were incapacitated?

Sadly a relative of mine died pretty young due to poor diet. Liver cirrhosis. Everyone assumed it was booze but it was actually sugar and fat - they barely drank. Wasn't morbidly obese either.

I understand that lack of control about food. I've been there. It's a tough one to break out of. It's not about food really, but about a void you're trying to fill with food. Have you had counselling?

I wonder if weight loss injections could help you as they suppress appetite so could help you break the binge cycle but you need solid medical advice if course.

I'll only give one piece of advice about what to eat and that is, having no protein at breakfast causes me problems the rest of the day. If I eat cereal or jam on toast i'll crave carbs all day long and be ravenous.

Now I have eggs or a big bowl of proper, really thick greek yoghurt, berries (get them out the freezer the night before), and nuts or nut butter. Takes v little time and prep, fills me up, tastes great, and helps to prevent cravings.

Good luck xx

Honestly @AtDeathsDoor if you put shit in your body, you will feel shit. It’s that definite.

Are you able to access some counselling to explore why you don’t feel worth caring for? I can tell you that you are worth caring for. It’s a horrible vicious cycle, I know.

Make the most of the freezer aisle
Steam veg, steam fish, chicken etc etc, all microwave stuff
Porridge for breakfast or Greek yoghurt and berries
Fresh soups
Roasted veg trays in the oven (ready made) and add some rotisserie chicken and ready made mash or whatever you like
Packs of ready made grains

Thanks so much.

I think I’m at a crossroad now and need to decide if I am going to look after myself or not. Forty years of abusing my body are starting to take effect.
I do have a therapist and an ED psychiatrist so I know I am lucky to have that support.