Latest lipid labs

[aztecan]

I had my blood drawn yesterday and hovered over the doctor's desk today until he told me what they were!

May I say, I am pretty damn pleased!  

My lipids are normal, nay, let us say, comfortably less than the allowable maximum for the most part.  

What's more, the liver enzymes that I have fretted over for more some time now (remember the NASH post?) now have suddenly decided to drop to normal as well.

I take 500 mgs of Niaspan once a day, 1.200 mgs of red yeast rice twice a day and 6,000 mgs (6 grams) of fish oil every day.

But I am not on any statins. None. Zippo. Nunca. Zero.  

For those of you who have put up with my droning on this subject, you know what a relief this is for me.

Here are the results:

Overall cholesterol (normal range 120-199)

Jan. 6, 2009     - 295
June 29, 2009 - 188
Sept. 21, 2009 - 170

LDL cholesterol (normal range 0-130)

Jan. 6, 2009      - 207
June 29, 2009   - 124
Sept. 21, 2009  - 112

HDL cholesterol (normal range 32-96)

Jan. 6, 2009      - 45
June 29, 2009  - 29
Sept. 21, 2009  - 32

Triglycerides (Normal range 30-200)

Jan. 6, 2009       - 213
Feb. 16, 2009     - 158
March 16, 2009 - 153
June 29, 2009    - 177
Sept. 21, 2009    - 131

CPKs   (Normal range 21-232)

Feb. 16, 2009      - 602
March 16, 2009  - 2,857  
June 29, 2009    - 305
Sept. 21, 2009    - 394

I didn't check my HIV stuff this time. My CD4s were 959 in January and 1,020 in June. I'll check them again in December. Viral load was <48 when they were done with the CD4s.

However, the doc did check my liver enzymes.

AST (which stands for Aspartate Aminotransferase) (Normal range 15-37)

Jan. 6, 2009       - 66
March 29, 2009 - 40
Sept. 21, 2009   - 21

ALT (which stands for Alanine Aminotransferase) (Normal range 30-65)

Jan. 6, 2009       - 127
June 29, 2009    - 72
Sept. 21, 2009    - 53

Just so everyone knows, I obtained the ranges for these tests from the lab report that included my test results.

OK, my cholesterol ratio (HDL/LDL) is still not perfect, but I can't have everything and I am delighted with these results.

Some of you know I have dieted, exercised, etc., and the results came to naught in the past. The difference here is I switched meds.

I know there has been some discussion about Isentress and it being untried as far as long-term side effects are concerned - and that's true.

But, I do know that I was headed toward lipid-induced health problems if I didn't do something. What's more, even though its twice a day, it is the easiest and least side-effect inducing med I have ever taken.

Oh, the CPKs are still high, but the doc thinks that is the Truvada, which can cause that problem in some people.

But I am not having the achy muscles and seem to be doing well otherwise.

So, I am pretty happy with the results thus far. The Isentress/Truvada combo seems to be working as I and my doctor hoped.

HUGS,

Mark

[Miss Philicia]

It's amazing how quickly your numbers have improved and to the degree that they have.

[Robert]

Mark.....

this is such great news.   You know you looked great when we saw you last month.  Diet, meds, attitude.....it's all working.

congratulations ~~~

What's more, the liver enzymes that I have fretted over for more some time now (remember the NASH post?) now have suddenly decided to drop to normal as well.

I must say that post really muddled my already muddled thought process.  Doesn't matter, though.  it's working.~~

[BT65]

That's terrific news, Mark.  I'm sure you're relieved.

[J.R.E.]

Mark,

Great turn-around with the numbers !! Congratulations !


Ray

[AlanBama]

Great news honey!   Those numbers look great.   I am so happy for you.

HUGS,

Alan