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Just got my bloodwork back

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 6/7/2013 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
5 pages worth of blood testing! Everything was normal except 3 things:

1. My urine - got contaminated, need to repeat the test.

2. HDL - low again. I dont get it? If I increase my fat intake (including omega 3) it goes up to 50 or 54, but my LDL goes up to, thus making my total cholesterol too high. When I reduce my fat intake, LDL and total go down but so does the HDL. So my question is how do you keep your HDL at 50 without increasing your LDL???

3. This was odd...my vitamin D levels are at 31...which is exactly the same level it was BEFORE I started supplementing with 1,400 IUs daily. I've been supplementing with 2 different brands of Vit D since February...how can the results remain the same? I also live in Florida...plenty of sunshine. I don't understand.

I know some of this might be a bit of topic but its about keeping our numbers at a healthy range so our bodies are well-equipped to fight the fibro. And we all seem to have trouble with the D...

Any thoughts?
Posted 6/8/2013 10:34 AM (GMT 0)
Maybe you have a problem with absorbing vitamin D.

Are you taking corticosteroids (cortisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, prednisone) or famotidine, Pepcid, Axid, Tagamet or Zantac? Apparently these can deplete vitamin D stores.

Cholesterol is the precursor to Vitamin D - maybe this is linked to your low cholesterol levels?

You may want to check out the Vitamin D Council website for further ideas.

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Posted 6/8/2013 11:57 AM (GMT 0)
With regards to cholesterol:

To increase good fats and decrease bad fats:
eat less trans fats and saturated fats - e.g. cream, butter
eat more unsaturated fats - e.g. olive oil

Google the different kinds of fats; it'll show you which foods are high in what
Posted 6/8/2013 1:19 PM (GMT 0)
As what Jasmine said,

Low HDL and high LDL could be due to what kind of fat you eat. Omega 3 is ok, but you need more than just one type of good fat. Nuts (if you don't have allergy) Avocado are all good to prop up your HDL. Eat fresh fatty fish, like Salmon, they are a better source of HDL than omega 3 tablets.

Another issue with cholesterol is stress. If you're under stress you HDL will go down and LDL will go up.

As with Vit D. I used to live in Perth, but I stay in the office 90% of the time. I never had to go out because it so blooming hot out site. Even when I go out, I try to stay under the shaddy area. Your body need to be in contact with direct sunlight to actually boost up your Vit D. What is your skin type? Are you full of freckles? If you are, it'd be a bit harder for you to get Vit D into your system because you lack Melanin in your system. If the monthly intake is not working, you might want to try daily tablets, it may be a lot more tablets to do, but if it works, then it's always better than being low on Vit D. I was low on Vit D, just tested 2 weeks ago and my level is about 60, so Dr was happy for me to skip dose, the change I had was I'm now staying in Adelaide, it's not so hot, so I was actually going outside standing under the sun doing target archery. I definately tan up by quite a bit, which was also reflected on my test result. So, it's not where you live, it's more about how you deal with the sun that'll be the key to your Vit D issue.
Posted 6/8/2013 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
My cholesterol levels are very good. The only number I can remember right now is my LDL level and it was 59 last month. I use mainly canola oil when cooking, eat things that contain good fats and not bad, etc. I do eat eggs nearly every day for breakfast, too, and this hasn't raised my cholesterol either. Most breakfast foods will spike my sugar bue eggs don't.

I live in Florida, too. When I'm in the sun I use sunscreen which will block vitamin D. I also don't think I absorb things as well. I've been taking 5,500 IU of D3 for about four years and this is just keeping my D at good levels. I count the D in my supplements, my calcium, and my multiple vitamin and get that 5,500 IU number. We always should remember to check the amount in everything we might be taking.

Sherrine
Posted 6/8/2013 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hmm...well it may be the Omega 3 as I do not eat seafood or fish. I eat plenty of olive oil and I do not eat trans fats. I'm trained in dietetics and nutrition so I'm aware of what to eat to reduce my overall cholesterol. However, I'm a bit stumped on the HDL part. When looking it over, my LDL went down too. But so did the HDL and it was perfect before. Like I said...the only fat I'm missing is Omega 3 since I don't like to eat fish/seafood. I will have to take my Nordic Naturals Omegas, at least they are strawberry-flavored.

I'm olive skinned and tan easily. Its just very odd cause the # has not changed one bit since my last blood test in February...as if I never took anything. I guess I will have to increase the dose.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will do some research on Vit D absorption for people with chronic illness such as ours. Maybe that's where the problem is.
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