Guest guest Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 Normal potassium level is normally below 5. Did he do a creatinine test on you?Too high potassium is actually dangerous Hs your A1C always been that high? It is not terribly high, but 6.5 or below is recommended. lab tests 8/4/08 Had a doctor's appointment today and here are the tests results for my last blood work. A1C 7.6 total cholesterol 106 LDL 52 HDL 28 potassium 5.8 I know I need to work on the A1C some more and I am not sure what the potassium level should be at, but the doctor didn't seem too concerned about it. Any one know where it should be? Mel Teddy Nature delights in diversity, why don't humans? __________ NOD32 3303 (20080728) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 I think someone posted an article on the list saying that ADA was lowering their norm to below 6.2, right? _____ From: blind-diabetics [mailto:blind-diabetics ] On Behalf Of LaFrance-Wolf Sent: Monday, August 04, 2008 9:15 PM To: blind-diabetics Subject: RE: lab tests 8/4/08 Normal potassium level is normally below 5. Did he do a creatinine test on you?Too high potassium is actually dangerous Hs your A1C always been that high? It is not terribly high, but 6.5 or below is recommended. lab tests 8/4/08 Had a doctor's appointment today and here are the tests results for my last blood work. A1C 7.6 total cholesterol 106 LDL 52 HDL 28 potassium 5.8 I know I need to work on the A1C some more and I am not sure what the potassium level should be at, but the doctor didn't seem too concerned about it. Any one know where it should be? Mel Teddy Nature delights in diversity, why don't humans? __________ NOD32 3303 (20080728) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset. <http://www.eset.com> com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 I had not heard that, but glad if it true. lab tests 8/4/08 Had a doctor's appointment today and here are the tests results for my last blood work. A1C 7.6 total cholesterol 106 LDL 52 HDL 28 potassium 5.8 I know I need to work on the A1C some more and I am not sure what the potassium level should be at, but the doctor didn't seem too concerned about it. Any one know where it should be? Mel Teddy Nature delights in diversity, why don't humans? __________ NOD32 3303 (20080728) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset. <http://www.eset. <http://www.eset.com> com> com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 Hi Melvin, Potassium should be under 5.2. However your level of 5.8 is very serious. If it gets too high your heart can stop. Have your kidneys been tested? What is your creatinine? All things to look into and don't wait too long. If your doctor is that laisez faire, then get a second opinion or a new doctor if he will not get more serious. Ruth From: blind-diabetics [mailto:blind-diabetics ] On Behalf Of Melvin Reynolds Sent: Monday, August 04, 2008 8:25 PM To: blind-diabetics Subject: lab tests 8/4/08 Had a doctor's appointment today and here are the tests results for my last blood work. A1C 7.6 total cholesterol 106 LDL 52 HDL 28 potassium 5.8 I know I need to work on the A1C some more and I am not sure what the potassium level should be at, but the doctor didn't seem too concerned about it. Any one know where it should be? Mel Teddy Nature delights in diversity, why don't humans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 Mel, you have excellent overall cholesterol, although some are saying get it down around 80, which is damned hard to do However, your HDL at 28 is too low; that should be over 40. Did they give your triglycerides, too. Those are important in the formula. Are you using stattens to get your cholesterol down. LDL at 52 seems excellent to me. ESS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 I, and some others, also have low hdl. My hdl is anywhere from 23-26. My doc says it's genetic, and I am beginning to believe she's right. She says there's generally not much to be done about it. High dosages of niacin (b3) or omega 3 may help, and exercise may be the best of all. Even with these, it is apparently not likely we will see our hdl rise to that desired 40 plus range. Dave Victim of a crime? Know someone who was? http://victimsheart.blogspot.com RE: lab tests 8/4/08 Mel, you have excellent overall cholesterol, although some are saying get it down around 80, which is damned hard to do However, your HDL at 28 is too low; that should be over 40. Did they give your triglycerides, too. Those are important in the formula. Are you using stattens to get your cholesterol down. LDL at 52 seems excellent to me. ESS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 Do not despair if you have low HDL. Most of my life I have always had a very low HDl reading from 20 to 23. Five years ago when I started taking therapeutic doses of niacin between 1000mg-3000mg per day, a change started happening in three to six months. Today I take the minimal therapeutic dose of niacin 1000mg per day, and I continue to do it as long as I live. I do not take statin drugs. The niacin has lowered my LDl levels, the last test result was 89, and it has continued to maintain my relatively high HDl levels, at last report it was 53. If you haven't tried it daily for at least six months, then you will never know if it would raise your HDL. RE: lab tests 8/4/08 Mel, you have excellent overall cholesterol, although some are saying get it down around 80, which is damned hard to do However, your HDL at 28 is too low; that should be over 40. Did they give your triglycerides, too. Those are important in the formula. Are you using stattens to get your cholesterol down. LDL at 52 seems excellent to me. ESS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 Do not despair if you have low HDL. Most of my life I have always had a very low HDl reading from 20 to 23. Five years ago when I started taking therapeutic doses of niacin between 1000mg-3000mg per day, a change started happening in three to six months. Today I take the minimal therapeutic dose of niacin 1000mg per day, and I continue to do it as long as I live. I do not take statin drugs. The niacin has lowered my LDl levels, the last test result was 89, and it has continued to maintain my relatively high HDl levels, at last report it was 53. If you haven't tried it daily for at least six months, then you will never know if it would raise your HDL. RE: lab tests 8/4/08 Mel, you have excellent overall cholesterol, although some are saying get it down around 80, which is damned hard to do However, your HDL at 28 is too low; that should be over 40. Did they give your triglycerides, too. Those are important in the formula. Are you using stattens to get your cholesterol down. LDL at 52 seems excellent to me. ESS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 Do not despair if you have low HDL. Most of my life I have always had a very low HDl reading from 20 to 23. Five years ago when I started taking therapeutic doses of niacin between 1000mg-3000mg per day, a change started happening in three to six months. Today I take the minimal therapeutic dose of niacin 1000mg per day, and I continue to do it as long as I live. I do not take statin drugs. The niacin has lowered my LDl levels, the last test result was 89, and it has continued to maintain my relatively high HDl levels, at last report it was 53. If you haven't tried it daily for at least six months, then you will never know if it would raise your HDL. RE: lab tests 8/4/08 Mel, you have excellent overall cholesterol, although some are saying get it down around 80, which is damned hard to do However, your HDL at 28 is too low; that should be over 40. Did they give your triglycerides, too. Those are important in the formula. Are you using stattens to get your cholesterol down. LDL at 52 seems excellent to me. ESS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 I've been on 1500 mg. of niacin for, oh, probably at least 6 months. No, probably 8 months. I do use the non-flush, and I wonder if the straight niacin would be more affective. Dave Victim of a crime? Know someone who was? http://victimsheart.blogspot.com RE: lab tests 8/4/08 Mel, you have excellent overall cholesterol, although some are saying get it down around 80, which is damned hard to do However, your HDL at 28 is too low; that should be over 40. Did they give your triglycerides, too. Those are important in the formula. Are you using stattens to get your cholesterol down. LDL at 52 seems excellent to me. ESS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 I've been on 1500 mg. of niacin for, oh, probably at least 6 months. No, probably 8 months. I do use the non-flush, and I wonder if the straight niacin would be more affective. Dave Victim of a crime? Know someone who was? http://victimsheart.blogspot.com RE: lab tests 8/4/08 Mel, you have excellent overall cholesterol, although some are saying get it down around 80, which is damned hard to do However, your HDL at 28 is too low; that should be over 40. Did they give your triglycerides, too. Those are important in the formula. Are you using stattens to get your cholesterol down. LDL at 52 seems excellent to me. ESS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 The reason I use the regular niacin, the one that causes flushes, is it is reported to be more effective than the flush free niacin Of course if you cannot stand the flush, which lasts 20-40 minutes , then the flush free niacin is better than no niacin at all. RE: lab tests 8/4/08 Mel, you have excellent overall cholesterol, although some are saying get it down around 80, which is damned hard to do However, your HDL at 28 is too low; that should be over 40. Did they give your triglycerides, too. Those are important in the formula. Are you using stattens to get your cholesterol down. LDL at 52 seems excellent to me. ESS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 The reason I use the regular niacin, the one that causes flushes, is it is reported to be more effective than the flush free niacin Of course if you cannot stand the flush, which lasts 20-40 minutes , then the flush free niacin is better than no niacin at all. RE: lab tests 8/4/08 Mel, you have excellent overall cholesterol, although some are saying get it down around 80, which is damned hard to do However, your HDL at 28 is too low; that should be over 40. Did they give your triglycerides, too. Those are important in the formula. Are you using stattens to get your cholesterol down. LDL at 52 seems excellent to me. ESS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 The reason I use the regular niacin, the one that causes flushes, is it is reported to be more effective than the flush free niacin Of course if you cannot stand the flush, which lasts 20-40 minutes , then the flush free niacin is better than no niacin at all. RE: lab tests 8/4/08 Mel, you have excellent overall cholesterol, although some are saying get it down around 80, which is damned hard to do However, your HDL at 28 is too low; that should be over 40. Did they give your triglycerides, too. Those are important in the formula. Are you using stattens to get your cholesterol down. LDL at 52 seems excellent to me. ESS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2008 Report Share Posted August 6, 2008 What can I do to lower my Potassium? My A1C has been lower in the past and this is the highest it has been in a while. Normally it is around 6.9 or 7.0. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2008 Report Share Posted August 6, 2008 He did not tell me what they were. RE: lab tests 8/4/08 Mel, you have excellent overall cholesterol, although some are saying get it down around 80, which is damned hard to do However, your HDL at 28 is too low; that should be over 40. Did they give your triglycerides, too. Those are important in the formula. Are you using stattens to get your cholesterol down. LDL at 52 seems excellent to me. ESS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2008 Report Share Posted August 6, 2008 I know he tested my creatinie level this last time but did not tell me what it was. He repeating the tests next month. I do see a kidney doctor and he also keeps an eye on things. My next appointment with him is in November. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2008 Report Share Posted August 6, 2008 I will have to check with my doctor and see if it is O.K. for me to take it and if so I will start. Thanks for the info. Re: lab tests 8/4/08 Do not despair if you have low HDL. Most of my life I have always had a very low HDl reading from 20 to 23. Five years ago when I started taking therapeutic doses of niacin between 1000mg-3000mg per day, a change started happening in three to six months. Today I take the minimal therapeutic dose of niacin 1000mg per day, and I continue to do it as long as I live. I do not take statin drugs. The niacin has lowered my LDl levels, the last test result was 89, and it has continued to maintain my relatively high HDl levels, at last report it was 53. If you haven't tried it daily for at least six months, then you will never know if it would raise your HDL. RE: lab tests 8/4/08 Mel, you have excellent overall cholesterol, although some are saying get it down around 80, which is damned hard to do However, your HDL at 28 is too low; that should be over 40. Did they give your triglycerides, too. Those are important in the formula. Are you using stattens to get your cholesterol down. LDL at 52 seems excellent to me. ESS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2008 Report Share Posted August 6, 2008 Niacin (b3) is a vitamin. You do not need to seek your doctor's opinion or approval to take it. Usually, doctors are not very keen about vitamins or supplements, so depending on your doctor's disposition, you may or may not receive his/her blessing. It won't hurt you to take niacin and see if it helps. Dave Victim of a crime? Know someone who was? http://victimsheart.blogspot.com RE: lab tests 8/4/08 Mel, you have excellent overall cholesterol, although some are saying get it down around 80, which is damned hard to do However, your HDL at 28 is too low; that should be over 40. Did they give your triglycerides, too. Those are important in the formula. Are you using stattens to get your cholesterol down. LDL at 52 seems excellent to me. ESS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2008 Report Share Posted August 6, 2008 One way to lower potassium is to stop eating potassium high foods. These include: bananas, citrus food, milk products, potatoes, dark geen veggies such as broccoli. Also, drink lots of water. You really s hould call the doc and ask him abou the potassium level. It is dangerously high. RE: lab tests 8/4/08 What can I do to lower my Potassium? My A1C has been lower in the past and this is the highest it has been in a while. Normally it is around 6.9 or 7.0. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2008 Report Share Posted August 6, 2008 Hi Melvin, As Pat said, one way to reduce potassium is to reduce potassium rich foods. These include: citrus fruit except mandarins, grapefruit, and tangerines. Bananas and tomatoes are a no no. Potatoes can be eaten if you soak them for at least 4 hours in cold water before cooking them. The longer you soak them, the more potassium that will be leached out of them. Broccoli is okay, as well as peppers, and cucumbers. Drink milk in very small amounts. They are full of phosphates which will make you itch like crazy and is also hard on the kidneys. Things like bran are also full of potassium. As for the niacin, even though it is a vitamin, do consult your doctor. Your kidneys must filter everything you consume including the vitamins, so be careful. A dietician can give you a larger list than I have just given you. My suggestion to you would be to see if you can get in earlier than November to see your kidney doctor. There is also a drug called K-exilate (not sure if I spelled this right) which is used to help remove potassium from the body. Ask your doctor about this. I have been through this and it is a real bugger since potassium and salt are in about everything. From: blind-diabetics [mailto:blind-diabetics ] On Behalf Of Melvin Reynolds Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2008 9:03 PM To: blind-diabetics Subject: RE: lab tests 8/4/08 What can I do to lower my Potassium? My A1C has been lower in the past and this is the highest it has been in a while. Normally it is around 6.9 or 7.0. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2008 Report Share Posted August 6, 2008 I don't eat potatoes, bananas, or if I do it is only about once a month and never on the same day or week. I gave up drinking orange juice a while back because of the heart burn. The only thing I do eat or drink that is high in it is the milk and that is two cups a day to take pills with. I don't remember if the day before the test I had anything other than the milk with potassium in it or not. don't know if that would make a difference or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2008 Report Share Posted August 6, 2008 I don't eat potatoes, bananas, or if I do it is only about once a month and never on the same day or week. I gave up drinking orange juice a while back because of the heart burn. The only thing I do eat or drink that is high in it is the milk and that is two cups a day to take pills with. I don't remember if the day before the test I had anything other than the milk with potassium in it or not. don't know if that would make a difference or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2008 Report Share Posted August 6, 2008 I do have a list of the foods that I should not eat and try my hardest to follow it. I drink about six servings of water a day. I will ask about the med to remove the potassium when I see the doc. I was to have seen him this month but they have reschedueled me now three times each time it gets pushed back more and more. If it happens again I will look for another doc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2008 Report Share Posted August 6, 2008 I do have a list of the foods that I should not eat and try my hardest to follow it. I drink about six servings of water a day. I will ask about the med to remove the potassium when I see the doc. I was to have seen him this month but they have reschedueled me now three times each time it gets pushed back more and more. If it happens again I will look for another doc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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