Is there a Doctor in the House?

[Leanne2]

I was supposed to have an appointment with my doctor at the VA hospital today. When I walked into the “Pink” clinic there was only one man in the waiting area. The Pink clinic is for women but because of crowding men are assigned there as well. The receptionist told the man that because of an emergency, all appointments were cancelled for today. Then she told him that she could get him in at the “Blue” clinic because from now on only women would be in the pink.
When it was my turn she told me the same thing. I explained that I was a transgender person and would prefer to stay with my doctor in the Pink clinic. She agreed and said that she could make that happen. Then I advised her that I would like to be addressed by my first name only ( which is unisex ) instead of Sir or Mr. She agreed and wrote that in my records. Then she rescheduled my appointment.
After I left there I went to “medical records” in the basement and requested a copy of the labs that were drawn two weeks ago. After signing a paper the lady handed the report to me. It’s not good. My Triglycerides which have been slightly high the last few years ( 154 - 188 ) were 268! How can that be? I fasted from bacon for a month before the blood draw. Then my LDL is 113. It should be under 100. But I am most worried about my glucose ( 113 ). I do not want to be a diabetic. I try to eat right and I exercise by walking 2.2 miles 3 or 4 times a week. I’m 61 years old and am 40 pounds overweight. I know that I have to loose the weight somehow. Do any of you have any ideas that could help. By the way, my T levels are low and my E levels are high for a male. I’m not on hormone therapy but I do take a few otc supplements to raise my E. I would appreciate your input. Thank you, Leanne

[Annaliese]

I sent you an E-mail.

[Sejd]

Hi Leanne2
Getting in shape is the best medicine you can ever get into. The money spent for classes is money you don't have to spend for medical treatment later. I am 60 and I hear you. To get in better shape I would recommend what I do, which is "Hot Yoga" or as they also call it : Bigram Yoga. I am convinced that this program not only keeps you in shape, but you also loose weight and get new energy to deal with all your other issues in life. I started Hot Yoga about 8 years ago and love it. Check out where in your area you can take a class and go for it. Good luck.
Hugs
Sejd

[giuseppina]

Hello Leanne

Chances are extremely high your doctor will advise you to shed the 40 pounds. The best way to do this is is following the equivalent of Canada's food guide with minimum portion sizes. I would suggest you take a year or so to accomplish this task. Anything faster isn't healthy.

You may be prescribed cholesterol reducing medication. You can do some by diet (substantial reduction in saturated and trans fats), but that doesn't always work. There is plenty of saturated fats in foods other than bacon. In Canada, nutrition labeling is mandated by law, and contain levels of nutrients and percentages of the recommended daily allowance. That includes fat content.

DON'T pay any attention to the fad diets out there. They are, to be polite about it, unhealthy ways of weight reduction. You may be referred to a registered dietitian, who will advise you on healthy methods of weight reduction.

There is only one rule of weight reduction: you must expend more calories than you consume in the form of food and drink. It's that simple.

My blood sugar was a little on the high side a while ago. Removal of excess weight and adding physical activity solved the problem.

And now the disclaimer: While I believe the above to be correct, this does not constitute medical advice. That can only be obtained from your doctor.

Get going and good luck. :hugs:

[Leanne2]

Thank you for your advice. I guess I'll have to do more exercise than the walking that I do now. I am already on medication to lower my cholesterol. I was just wondering if my low T and E levels could have anything to do with my high glucose readings. I know that a person should have proper levels of either E or T. Leanne

[Melinda G]

Back in 1996 when I first got my lipids checked, my cholesterol was 462, and my triglycerides were 3420. I felt like it was a death sentence. I cut out the big bowl of ice cream every night, butter and sour cream on the baked potatoes, started going for walks every day. A month later the cholesterol was down to 303, and the tris were down to 2250. Still high, but much improved. My doctor wanted to put me on a statin drug. I said thanks but no thanks. Too hard on the liver.
Long story short, my cholesterol is down to 200 and my tris are down to around 500, and they will probably always be slightly above normal.
For years there has been an effort to get the entire country on Lipitor, or some other drugs. And while it does lower lipids, research shows it does not prolong life. You just die of something else. If you look into it you will find half of all heart attacks occur in people with cholesterol below 200. So getting your lipids down, just puts you into the other half with low cholesterol, who still get heart attacks.
I would definately get the weight under control though. Excess weight and high blood pressure are proven killers, much more than cholesterol and tryglycerides.
I wish I had a dollar for all the BS I've heard from doctors in the last 20 years.

Your glucose readings should come down when you lose the weight.

[LeannL]

I’m not on hormone therapy but I do take a few otc supplements to raise my E. I would appreciate your input. Thank you, Leanne

Leanne,
You don't mention what otc supplements you are taking but I would be worried if you didn't have these issues before you took the supplements. Definitely let your doctor know what you are taking. Part of the solution may be as simple as stopping the supplements. Many "natural" supplements are not as benign as they are advertised to be.

Leann

[Leanne2]

Thank you Leann,
What a pretty name you have, Ha! But seriously, I am taking red clover, fennel, and licorice supplements because they contain plant estrogens. I have my makeup VA exam tomorrow. I'll ask my gynecologist about it. Leanne

[RenneB]

When all is said and done, the only diet that works is the one that works for you. Basic math says calories in minus calories out. The more you take in than you lose during the day, you gain. The less you take in than you lose during the day, you lose. Doing not much of anything around the house during the day, you'll lose about 1200 - 1500 calories per day. Move more, lose more. So my intake is about 1000 per day and I'm losing. Little white pills with blue speckles helps suppress the appitite also. Ask the doc for an hunger supressent.

Renne.....