What did you do for your health today?

[ammonite]

Can anyone recommend a good female gynae for check up? And also a place for a general check up? Thank you!

[Sun_2010]

smartmummy:

Hi all!

I need advise!
I went for a 30 mins morning walk.

I did a medical check-up on 30/11/2011.
Cholesterol 6.21mmol/L desirable <5.2
Triglycerides 1.05mmol/L desirable <1.7
HDL 1.02mmol/L desirable 1.0-1.5
LDL 4.88mmol/L desirable 2.6-3.3

I know I was ignorant.Its one and a half a year already.Don't scold me.Now I am trying to take care of my health.Appreciate me, ok.

I would like to know is my LDL very high?I need to take medication?Doctor asked me you want to take?I said yes,but I never started my medication.Now decided to take omega-3.Is it omega-3 is enough or I need to take medication as well.

Thank you in advance.

smartmummy, Oh dear! your LDL are pretty high. Cholestrol levels for women is even more damaging than for men. Hope your other readings -weight, BP and sugar are in the healthy range. And family history is clean.

fyi ...ideal cholesterol levels
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol-levels/CL00001

HDL level is ok , if that increases it is improve your cholesterol ratio.
Omega 3 will help to increase HDL . So will nuts like almond , walnuts .
They will also increase your overall cholesterol .

I do not want to alarm you but it's time to get serious and take action. We owe it to ourselves to take charge of our health.

On lifestyle changes you can do
1. Diet - the most basic. Eliminate cholesterol high foods - fried food, egg yolk, red meat, cream/butter stuff.
2. Reduce high calorie foods.
3. Even if the food you eat does not have cholestrol , our liver converts any excess calories that have not been used by night to fats ( cholestrol) at the end of the day. So an early light dinner. This is very important. The calories you eat should be used up by your bedtime.
4. Regular exercise helps .
5. High stress levels are the real culprit. So if you get stressed easily, then a breathing/meditaion practice can help a lot.

Realistically speaking drastic change in diet and exercise is difficult to stick to and will take time show results . Even then it can reduce cholestrol by max 10-20%. That itself is a very difficult target.

If you decide to go for cholesterol medication, please please monitor your body reactions. Different medications will suit different people, all have side effects. It may take time getting used to them. Usually , most docs prescribe Statins. try for a period 3-6 months. Then will need to do a full blood test ( incl. kidney and liver). Even if reports are ok, If you dont feel comfortable than ask for a change of drugs. For some, Crestor works better. Request doc for Co-Q10 supplements. Cardiologists in govt. hospitals were reluctant to do so, now that this is widespread they may be more open to it. Private specialists will be more attuned to the latest developments. Statins reduce Co-Q10 ( a natural enzyme produced by our body ) .

If you do decide to go for medications, think thru. Typically once on it , you cant really stop. If you do your levels will shoot back . That kind of roller coster is probably worse for the heart. If you are in your late 30s ( my guess), it means potentially next 40-50 years of being on it. it is a big decision to take.

Scour the net, look out for inputs from established hostpitals , mayo clinic is a good place.

[Jennifer]

Funz:

Jennifer:

I brou up the topic ytd to him to do a blood test, in particular to check whether he is also a thalassemia. He agreed, so we will know soon.

Just wondering. If either parent has thalassemia, wouldn't the hospital test the baby at birth oso? I've seen it being indicated in the health booklets of some kids.

My children's health booklet did not mention.

[smartmummy]

Thank you sun for the valuable tips.Appreciate much.

[Jennifer]

smartmummy:

Thank you sun for the valuable tips.Appreciate much.

Will u b going for another blood test soon?

[smartmummy]

Jennifer:

smartmummy:

Thank you sun for the valuable tips.Appreciate much.

Will u b going for another blood test soon?

I think,I have to do some regular exercise and change diet and then see doctor.May be after 3 months.I don't want to start the medication first.I can change my lifestyle.If I failed/difficult to lower my cholesterol then seek medication help.

[Jennifer]

smartmummy:

Jennifer:

[quote=\"smartmummy\"]Thank you sun for the valuable tips.Appreciate much.

Will u b going for another blood test soon?

I think,I have to do some regular exercise and change diet and then see doctor.May be after 3 months.I don't want to start the medication first.I can change my lifestyle.If I failed/difficult to lower my cholesterol then seek medication help.[/quote]Jiayu

[smartmummy]

thanks jennifer.

[Sun_2010]

smartmummy:

Jennifer:

[quote=\"smartmummy\"]Thank you sun for the valuable tips.Appreciate much.

Will u b going for another blood test soon?

I think,I have to do some regular exercise and change diet and then see doctor.May be after 3 months.I don't want to start the medication first.I can change my lifestyle.If I failed/difficult to lower my cholesterol then seek medication help.[/quote]Good for you smartmummy! Go for it!!

You are still young , if we take better care of ourselves from now, life will be much better in our golden years

Now I finally understand that \"Health is Wealth\"

[ngl2010]

Got Wii as Mother's Day gift :please: . Spent 30 minutes dancing and boxing with son. Boxing is very tiring