The Results Are In...

I got my results back from my physical (I had the CBC and a five-panel drug screen). Here's what I learned:

• I'm not on drugs (lol)
• My glucose levels were right in the middle of the range for being normal (YAY)
• All other levels were normal for my metabolic panel
• My thyroid levels came back normal

Total Cholesterol: 170

Total cholesterol refers to the total amount of cholesterol as measured in the blood stream. This is the number that most people refer to when they say, "What's my cholesterol?"

In general, a desirable total cholesterol is under 200. Total cholesterol is a measured value, meaning it is determined by chemical analysis of your blood. If your total cholesterol is over 200, you need to know your HDL and LDL to tell if you're doing OK or need further treatment.

HDL Cholesterol: 45

HDL refers to "High Density Lipoprotein" and is commonly known as the "Good Cholesterol." It is called the good one because it helps protect your arteries from getting deposits of cholesterol that clog them. A desirable HDL is over 35, but the higher, the better. If your HDL is under 35, it is considered a "'risk factor." HDL is a measured value.

LDL Cholesterol: 90

LDL refers to "Low Density Lipoprotein" and is commonly called the "Bad Cholesterol." It is known as the bad one because it clogs the arteries and is directly associated with heart attacks and some strokes. A desirable LDL is under 130 unless you have two "risk factors." If you have two or more risk factors, a desirable LDL is under 100!

Triglyceride: 175

Triglyceride is a type of fat transport system in the blood stream. Triglyceride is directly related to what you eat. High fat, high carbohydrate diets lead to high triglyceride. A desirable triglyceride is under 200. Very high triglyceride can cause pancreatitis and other problems.

 

 

Glucose:75

This is a measure of the sugar (or glucose) level in your blood. High values are associated with eating before the test, and with diabetes.

The normal range for a fasting glucose is 60 -109 mg/dl. According the 1999 ADA criteria, diabetes is diagnosed with a fasting plasma glucose of 126 or more. A precursor, Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG), is defined as fasting glucose levels of 110 - 125. Sometimes a glucose tolerance test, which involves giving you a sugary drink followed by several blood glucose tests, is necessary to properly sort out normal from IFG from diabetes. 

 

I am so relieved that my levels were all good. I need to bring my triglyceride number down to at least 150 or lower... and that can be done with diet and exercise. It's not high-risk at 175 but it's considered on the borderline high side... so it's something I want to watch and work to bring down. 

I am actually thinking about joining LA Fitness. I was going to join the YMCA, but I saw that the LA Fitness that's literally around the corner from us, is $40 a month! They close at 10pm and I could totally go after we put Gus to bed. I usually feel sleepy after I workout anyway... so I could go to the gym at night, come home, shower and go to bed. 

When we get back from our vacation I'm going to schedule a tour and go in and check it out. I don't know if childcare is included (it is at Lifetime and the YMCA)... not sure that I'd put Gus in it anyway. But it's a $0 joining fee right now and you pay the first month and last month when you sign up ($80) and then it's $40 every month there after. It's an awesome deal (Lifetime is like $100 pp per month and has a HUGE fee to join and then the YMCA has a joining fee and it's like $70 a month or so). LA Fitness is close to us and has all the things that I'd want. So we'll see. It'll be a good way to get a workout in and I can run on the tredmill or I can walk, or I can do some weights... it's full of endless possibilities.

I'm off to bed. Gus and Steve have their physicals tomorrow. Gus's should be easy-peasy and I'm praying that Steve's visit goes as well as mine did.  :-)