Musings on My Bloodwork

I went to the doctor for my physical and I also had some routine bloodwork done.  This week I got the results back and I wanted to discuss a few things with you all. 

In general, the results were great.  I had great levels of the vitamins they tested for and my blood sugar was in a healthy range.  The only note on the chart was about my cholesterol.  It was "high."

Well, the "overall" number was only 12 out of the preferred range.  Twelve WHAT over the range, I don't know.  My "good" cholesterol was good, above the minumum they wanted.  The problem was my "bad" cholesterol.  "They" want it to be under 100, and mine was 135. 

::Cue panic::

Not my panic, mind you, but the panic that I was SUPPOSED to be exhibiting.  After this revelation, as I sat there in the office, my doctor started rattling off the things I shouldn't be eating.  The beginning, it was good,  "Are you eating out more?  That could have something to do with it.  Make sure you are getting enough exercise, too."  Then, it started.  "Try not to eat too much red meat.  No full fat dairy, only skim.  What oils are you using?  Stick with only olive oil." 

You get the picture.

I didn't say anything to her.  I like my doctor.  She is a good doctor.  She doesn't push medications for everything.  I have asthma, and she supports the fact that I (for the most part) manage it on my own.  On the flip side, when I need her, she helps.  Honestly, it wasn't worth the debate.  I may someday take this up, but I've found that people that are sold on the "meat is bad! fat is bad!" diet craze are very resistant to hearing the opposite. 

You may be asking what I WILL be doing about my "high cholesterol." 

Nothing.  I am doing nothing about it.  I look and feel better than I have in a very, very long time.  I have great levels of all the vitamins they are checking.  My blood pressure is great.  Most importantly, I don't know that having cholesterol slightly higher than the level recommended by doctors is going to lead to anything terrible.  I have heard that high cholesterol is correlated to other diseases, but is the cholesterol the cause?  Not necessarily!  Contrary to what many medical and pharmaceutical professionals would like you to think, correlation is NOT causation.  

I may change how I feel about this over time.  I may not.  Right now, I am going to continue eating in a way that feels right.  I refuse to let some arbitrary limits change my common sense.  

Those are my thoughts.  What are yours?

This post was featured on Simple Lives Thursday with GNOWFGLINS and the Hearth and Soul Bloghop!