The FastDay Forum

I had blood tests done at the beginning of March, shortly before starting IF, as part of a health check at work (required by Japanese law). I asked for my blood to be tested again at the 3month mark because of my high LDL cholesterol reading in March. Here are the results most relevant to IF.

starting weight (23/3/2013): 87.6kg; weight on 2/7/2013: 74.0kg
starting blood glucose: 87 mg/dl; 3mo: 79
starting HDL cholesterol: 58 mg/dl; 3mo: 53
starting LDL cholesterol: 150 mg/dl; 3mo: 135
starting triglycerides: 89 mg/dl; 3mo: 60
3mo TSH: 2.13 uIU/ml
3mo free T4: 1.06 ng/dl

The LDL cholesterol was the most worrying number, and it's improved but I still need to get it down further. Everything is going in the right direction, I guess except HDL cholesterol. I forgot to have thyroid function checked back in March--I usually ask because of a history of hypothyroid in my family. I will try to get everything done again at the 6 month mark, if they'll let me.

MaryAnn, was the Dr. impressed? I don't know much about these #s but it looks good from here! Congratulations.

You are lucky getting all the tests done free.
Just when I was starting 5:2 I went to my GP asking for tests to get some baseline values. I was told as a male without any underlaying conditions I was only allowed free tests once every 5 years as I joined the practice 2 years ago it would be another 3 years unless I was prepared to pay. They said this was the NHS rules for all males between 19 and 75; I didnt ask about females, they may be more generous for them.

I haven't talked to the doctor. Strangely he sent the numbers only to the health clinic on campus. I did pay a small amount (you always pay at least a small amount in Japan), but I can't complain. My mom was making similar complaints about the US health system, and she has really good insurance. Testing annually might be excessive for most people, but fairly routine checking for diabetes and heart/vascular markers seems like common sense.

I started IF shortly after my annual health check last year. I have the results of this years annual health check, which I've added to the blood test results I got after 3 months of IF.

starting weight (23/3/2013): 87.6kg; weight on 2/7/2013: 74.0kg; weight on 7/2/2014: 64.1 kg
starting blood glucose: 87 mg/dl; 3mo: 79; 10 mo: 82
starting HDL cholesterol: 58 mg/dl; 3mo: 53; 10 mo: 57
starting LDL cholesterol: 150 mg/dl; 3mo: 135; 10 mo: 133
starting triglycerides: 89 mg/dl; 3mo: 60; 10mo: 44
3mo TSH: 2.13 uIU/ml
3mo free T4: 1.06 ng/dl

I'm glad to see triglycerides continue to go down, as it's a better indicator of health than cholesterol (I think). The only thing out of the normal range is LDL, which is high. I'm just going to continue to eat healthy and not worry about it.

Interestingly, my body fat % is quite a bit lower than what my scales at home have been telling me (by about 5%!)