Health update

[lnr]

GPs this morning to discuss implications of recent blood tests. It looks like the bad liver function test was almost entirely caused by the statins - I've only lost a couple of kg in the time between the two tests, so it's unlikely that made a difference. Only way to prove it is to put me back on them, but he doesn't see the need for that :) Cholesterol before I stopped them was at 3.3.

Blood sugar levels are also currently OK, although he didn't say what the HbA1C value from the most recent test was, and didn't take fasting glucose last time round. I've never had a value above 7 for fasting glucose though, and the metformin was mostly preventative, so given the excellent weight loss results the current plan is to stop taking that too. I'm to go back in 2 months and he'll test fasting blood sugar, cholesterol and liver function again. Hopefully those will all be OK and we can continue unmedicated thereafter.

Finally he did blood pressure, and showed an interesting effect: first result (immediately after fairly animated conversation) was roughly 150/90 - dreadful. After 60 seconds deliberately relaxing and breathing deeply it was down to 122/74 - absolutely fine.

Ideally I need to continue losing weight to a BMI of 25 or less and then stay there, but the main takeaway message is not to gain any weight from where I am now at about BMI 29.5. I may compromise on somewhere inbetween, depending on how hard it gets to keep losing weight. Overall I'm pretty happy :)

And in other news while checking if I had full access to the BMJ I discovered there's apparently a link between hyperparathyroidism and diabetes/glucose intolerance. Apparently just having had the abnormal gland removed may well have reduced my fasting glucose levels a little! See this relevant paper.

Comments

[beckyc.livejournal.com]

That sounds fairly positive (if these things ever are!)

I still haven't seen you to give you your birthday present, and it is March. How bad is that? Given you seem to be doing a lot of walking at the moment, would you like to go walking some weekend soon perhaps, then I can give it to you then?

[lnr]

Gosh, that's quite bad of me not to have seen you in so long! :)

A walk would be lovely. Mike's parents are visiting this weekend, but perhaps the following one?

[beckyc.livejournal.com]

I think I am free that weekend.

Do you have any ideas for walks that you fancy doing?

[sphyg.livejournal.com]

If you don't mind me crashing, I'd be up for a walk sometime. Though I may be in Reading that weekend.

[lnr]

Don't mind at all!

[lnr]

It looks like there's a walk from Great Chesterford to Linton, partly along the Ickneild Way. Should be about 5 miles, or perhaps a bit less, but with hills (114m!). If we're feeling keen enough there's an almost circular route back, and if not there are buses every half hour back from Linton to Cambridge that stop at Addenbrookes as well as in town (assuming we get the train out).

What do you think? Or do you have any other ideas?

[beckyc.livejournal.com]

Sounds a good option, is there a pub/teashop near there I wonder? :-)

[lnr]

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/19/19469/Crown_Inn/Linton

There are a couple of others too. No sign of tea shops though.

[hoiho.livejournal.com]

Overall I'm pretty

Yes, yes you are!

happy :)

All excellent!

[lnr]

:-P

[ptc24.livejournal.com]

where I am now at about BMI 29.5

Congratulations on being overweight!

[lnr]

Thanks :)

[monkeyhands.livejournal.com]

This is really good health news. Congratulations.