Hi,
This morning I decided to have some random bloodwork done to check on my general health.
All looked good except the following:
Cholesterol, Total: 226.9 mg/dl (Optimal: <180 - too high)
Cholesterol, HDL: 41 mg/dl (Should be >60 - too low)
Cholesterol, LDL: 153 mg/dl (Optimal: <100 - too high)
Triglycerides: 205 mg/dl (Normal: <150 - too high)
VLDL: 41 (Normal: 0 - 35 - too high)
Cholesterol/Direct HDL Ratio: 5.5 (too high)
So for cholesterol, this is not very good.
My question is, how do I lower the bad cholesterol and raise the good one?
Right now I exercise 3 times per week very heavily and eat a small caloric surplus. I would say my diet is about 50% carbs, 35% protein and 15% fat.
On weekends I eat a bit different though, which a lot of steak.
Recently (just a few days ago) I started taking 200mg's of Niacin daily as well as a "green smoothie" every night containing at least 3 whole fruits (oranges),
2 scoops of protein powder and a whole bunch of dark green vegetables (broccoli, spinach etc). Will this routine help me in this matter?
Now on to the rest of the test...
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On the next page I read:
Albumin: 4.2 (Normal: 3.4 - 5.0)
Globulin: 3.6 (Normal: 2.3 - 3.5)
Ratio: 1.2 (Normal: 1.5 - 2.5)
So as you can see, not too bad, but still a bit off. Any tips on how to correct this?
And now lastly, the testosterone and cortisol test...
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Total Testosterone: 4.49 ng/ml (Normal: 2.8 - 8.0)
Cortisol Assay: 18.7 ug/dl (Normal: 3.7 - 19)
The nurse asked me if I was taking any medication for cortisol, or if I was on steroids...
I am very disappointed in my relatively low testosterone levels. I follow all the guidelines you can find online
on how to increase test levels, even supplementing with natural test boosters, creatine etc.
I'm in my mid 20's and should have a lot higher than that.
I am guessing the low testosterone levels can have anything to do with my high cortisol levels?
I am an old addict of all kinds of drugs, although it was about 5+ years ago since I quit.
The last few years have been filled with panic attacks, OCD and GAD. I am currently on 50mg's of Sertraline
daily to keep it under control. It worked great the first 6 months, but lately my general anxiety is starting to come back.
It might have to do with all the nootropics I am trying out, especially since I quit Aniracetam (which I took daily for about 2
months).
What is your suggestion here, how do I lower my cortisol and rid myself of the anxiety?
Would very much appreciate any help.
