Cholesterol Numbers, Glucose Numbers and Thyroid Numbers: What Do They Mean?

You were sent by your doctor to get blood work done. A few weeks later you have your results in numbers in a chart. WHAT DO THESE NUMBERS MEAN??? Your doctor might tell you your LDL cholesterol is 4.2, your creatinine 2.2 mmol/L and 6.4 for your Glycolated Hemoglobin (HbA1c). Yikes! Besides these numbers being a confusing new language and new pharmaceutical prescriptions to fix the numbers, there are also other risks of diseases when your body encounters an imbalance.

Understanding Cholesterol Numbers

LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol is commonly known as the 'bad' cholesterol. The main source for blockage in the arteries and cholesterol build up of plaque is the lipoprotein carrier vessel.

Near Optimal: 2.6-3.3* Borderline: 3.4-4.1* High: 4.2-4.9* Very High: >4.9*

* mmol/L (Canadian measurement)

Optimal if you have heart disease: <1.8* Optimal if at-risk of heart disease: <2.8*

HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol is called the 'good' cholesterol helps remove the excess build up of cholesterol from the arteries from this carrier vessel.

Best: >1.5* Better: 1.3-1.5* Poor: (men) <1* (women) <1.3*

Triglycerides are a type of lipid (fat) known as circulating blood fat that is stored in fat cells and used as energy in between meals. Also, it is found in your blood. A diet of excess high caloric 'quick burning' carbohydrates increases the risk of high triglycerides and can lead to heart disease.

Borderline: 1.8-2.2* High: 2.3-5.6 Very High: >57*

Blood Sugar

Normal Range for blood sugar:

Random Glucose (RPG) >11.1 mmol/L

2 Hour Glucose Tolerance (2HPG) <7.8 mmol/L

12 Hour Fasting Glucose (FGP) <6.1 mmol/L

Glyocolated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) <6.0 mmol/L

Pre-diabetic refers to blood glucose levels not high enough to be diagnosed with Type II diabetes, but higher that normal. This is significant because long term complications begin with pre-diabetes like insulin resistance, nerve damage and heart disease.

Numbers will be 6-6.4 mmol/L range on the glycolated hemoglobin (HbA1c)

Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) is another type of insulin resistance/pre-diabetic state that can increase your risk of heart disease and Type II diabetes. This is where there is a deficit in the early and late phase of insulin secretion, after a glucose load. This differs from Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG) as after a glucose load, there is an impaired glucose response for 30 minutes.

IGT: Numbers will be in a 7.8-11 mmol/L range on a 2 hour glucose tolerance.

IFG: Numbers will be in a 6.1-6.9 mmol/L range on a 12 hour fasting glucose.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) include Type I DM, Type II DM and Gestational DM which are abnormities in the blood sugar. All three of these conditions manifest as hyperglycemia because of the non-responsiveness to the insulin secreted by the pancreas.

Random Glucose (RPG) >11.1 mmol/L

2 Hour Glucose Tolerance (2HPG) >11.1 mmol/L

12 Hour Fasting Glucose (FGP) >7.0 mmol/L

Glycolated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) >6.5 mmol/L

Thyroid Numbers

Normal Range:

TSH 0.3-3.04 mIU/L

Total T3 0.9-2.8 mmol/L

Reverse T3 0.04-0.29 mmol/L

Free T3 3.5-6.5 pmol/L

Total T4 4.5-11.5 ug/dL

Free T4 0.8-2.8 ug/dL

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone signals the thyroid gland to produce T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). It is secreted by the hypothalamus gland.

T3 (triiodothyronine) helps control many body functions like body temperature, heart rate and growth (just like T4). It is converted to T4 and back to T3 (Reverse T3).

Total T3 is a test that measures bound and unbound free T3.

T4 (thyroxine) is a measure of free thyroxine and bound thyroxine (total T4). Free thyroxine affects tissue function and used to treat hyperthyroidism by prescribed Synthroid or supplemental l-thyroxine.

Hypothyroidism causes a sluggish metabolism, dry skin, fatigue, memory problems, brittle nails, intolerance to coldness, weakness, tiredness, constipation, depression, coarse and thinning hair from underproduction of the thyroid hormone. It is diagnosed by blood test for the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, T3 and T4.

TSH <0.3 mIU/L

Total T3 <0.9 mmol/L

Reverse T3 <0.04 mmol/L

Free T3 <3.5 pmol/L

Total T4 <4.5 ug/dL

Free T4 <0.8 ug/dL

Hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid gland that is diagnosed with low (or non-existant) level of TSH and high amounts of thyroxine.

TSH <0.3 mIU/L

Total T4 <11.5 ug/dL

Free T4 <2.8 ug/dL

The good news is that natural nutrition can help reverse the effects any of these (not normal range) numbers that have affected your health. I specialize in getting your health back in balance with a holistic approach because it is more than food, supplements or a pill that can help you.

Initial consult is FREE at www.youniqueholisticnutrition.com

Sources:

Blood Cholesterol: Mayo Clinic assessed October 6, 2017 at http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/symptoms-causes/syc-20350800

Canadian Journal of Diabetes, April 13, volume 37, supplement accessed on October 5, 2017 at http://guidelines.diabetes.ca/App_Themes/CDACPG/resources/cpg_2013_full_en.pdf

GlobalRPh at http://www.globalrph.com/labs_t.htm

Triglycerides: Why do they matter?, Mayo Clinic accessed October 6, 2017 at http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/triglycerides/art-20048186