cholesterol – Hello Doctor

Prevent illness with these top health tests

October 8th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Blood testing can help catch potential health risks early, before they progress to serious health problems. Blood tests are recommended on an annual basis for people over the age of 40.

Keep an eye on your overall health with these tests.

Thyroid function

Your thyroid regulates how your body uses energy. It influences the way your respiratory, circulatory and nervous systems function. It also influences brain function, cholesterol levels, menstruation, body temperature, muscle tone and strength, and skin conditions. When your thyroid function is too high or too low, you could have serious health complications.

Tests for…

A thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test checks if your thyroid gland is working efficiently. It can tell you if it’s overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism). A blood sample is taken from a vein in the arm and sent off to a lab for analysis. Together with your test results and any symptoms you may have been experiencing, your doctor will determine whether you have a thyroid disorder, how severe it may be, and how to treat it.

Complete blood count

A complete blood count (CBC) test measures all the cells that make up your blood. These include your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets (tiny pieces of blood cells).

Tests for…

The test tracks blood disorders, like anaemia, leukaemia and blood clotting disorders. This is used to diagnose autoimmune disorders and infections, while also being able to show whether any dangerous nutritional deficiencies are present.

Sex hormones

A hormone imbalance is often linked to health conditions that include obesity, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and hypertension. It can impact sexual health and performance, cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes.

Tests for…

This test measures the level of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in your blood. SHBG is a protein made by your liver. It binds tightly to three sex hormones found in both men and women. These hormones are oestrogen, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and testosterone. SHBG carries these three hormones throughout your blood Although SHBG binds to three hormones, the hormone that’s critical in this test is testosterone. The level of SHBG in your blood changes due to factors like sex and age but can also change because of obesity, liver disease, and hyperthyroidism. Your doctor may mention this test if he suspects that you have abnormal testosterone levels.

Haemoglobin A1C

This test measures the number of red blood cells with glucose-coated haemoglobin. Uncontrolled high blood sugar can lead to diabetes. In people already diagnosed with diabetes, consistently high blood sugar increases the risk of damage to your liver and kidneys, heart disease, stroke, and eye disease.

Tests for…

The haemoglobin A1C test is an important blood test to diagnose diabetes or find ways to control diabetes. It gives an average blood glucose measurement over the past three months.

Vitamin profile

Vitamins are an essential part of a healthy and functioning system which includes your organs and cells. They impact physical, cognitive and emotional health.

Tests for…

A vitamin profile blood test is done to pinpoint and resolve any suspected deficiencies.

Magnesium

Magnesium plays a vital role in several chemical reactions in the body. It works with cell communication, providing energy for cells, and in the structure of chromosomes, cell membranes and bones.

Tests for…

A magnesium deficiency is related to diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. It can also impact calcium and Vitamin D absorption and their levels in your body.

Comprehensive metabolic panel

A comprehensive metabolic panel is a group of blood tests. They provide an overall big picture view of your body’s chemical balance and metabolism.

Tests for…

A CMP test measures liver and kidney function, as well as levels of protein, calcium, blood sugar, and electrolytes. This provides a look into the chemical balance of your body and your overall metabolism.

C-reactive protein (CRP)

This is a test for inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is usually linked with diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, certain cancers, periodontitis (inflammation of the gums), hay fever and atherosclerosis (a disease where plaque builds up inside your arteries).

Tests for…

CRP is produced by the liver. Its level rises when there’s inflammation in the body. Levels are measured by testing the blood.

Lipid panel cholesterol test / lipid profile test

This blood test checks triglycerides and cholesterol levels, which include both high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Too much cholesterol can threaten your health. This also increases the risks of stroke and cardiovascular disease.

Tests for…

Testing can catch cholesterol problems early, and lifestyle changes can reduce your risk.

Urine test

A urinalysis can help detect diabetes, urinary tract infections and kidney problems. This test is often included in a regular doctor’s appointment.

References:

What is cholesterol?

October 27th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced naturally by your liver and is used for many different things in your body. Cholesterol is one of the most important contributing risk factors leading to the development of heart disease and stroke. Others include age, gender and genes.

What is cholesterol, exactly?

Have you heard your doctor talking about LDL and HDL cholesterol? LDL (Low density lipoprotein) is known as the ‘bad’ cholesterol because it contributes to heart disease by ‘sticking’ to and narrowing the arteries supplying blood to your heart. HDL (High density lipoprotein) cholesterol is known as the ‘good’ cholesterol because it keeps LDL levels in check.

How do I know if I have elevated levels of cholesterol?

Most people who have elevated cholesterol levels surprisingly have no signs or symptoms. Dr Russell Thomson from Hello Doctor advises that you check your cholesterol levels if you have a family history of elevated cholesterol or have been following a poor diet and lead a sedentary lifestyle. If you wait too long, your first symptom might be heart attack or stroke.

How do I get tested?

Your doctor will ask about your family history, carry out a physical exam and take a blood test. You can also get your cholesterol screened at some pharmacy chains, like the Dischem MHealth programme.

Tips for lowering your cholesterol

For most people, abnormal cholesterol levels can be traced to an unhealthy lifestyle – from spending too much time sitting down, and eating an unbalanced diet. Quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet and getting some regular exercise are ways to combat problems with cholesterol.

Dr. Russell Thomson from Hello Doctor suggests choosing healthier unsaturated fats found in foods like avocados, certain nuts like walnuts and oily fish. He also recommends reducing the amount of saturated and trans-fats you eat including chips, processed foods and fried foods.

Find out more about cholesterol

If you want to talk to a doctor about your risks or how to manage your cholesterol, you can do it at any time. Simply sign up on our website. download the free Hello Doctor app from the Google Play or iTunes store. You can contact our doctors 24/7, 365 days of the year!

Questions to ask your doctor (or ours)

What are the dangers of high cholesterol
How can exercise help to lower my cholesterol?
How often do I need to get my cholesterol level checked?
What lifestyle changes can I make to help reduce my cholesterol?

Is cholesterol really that bad?

September 28th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

How can something that is essential for brain function be bad for you? This is exactly the reputation that cholesterol has earned through the years. And yet, “Cholesterol is necessary to build and maintain cell membranes,” explains Dr David Perlmutter, in the book Brain Maker. “In fact, it’s vital for brain neuron function.”

How publicity made the good guy look bad

A few years ago, based on conflicting medical opinions, people ditched bacon and eggs for muesli, dumped butter for margarine and ran screaming at the mention of cholesterol. It was pinpointed as the main cause of atherosclerosis (fatty deposits in your arteries which cause an obstruction of blood flow).

Since then, HDL has been dubbed as “good” cholesterol, because it helps remove cholesterol from the arteries. LDL, on the other hand, has been dubbed as “bad” cholesterol, because high levels have previously been linked to build-up in the arteries.

What experts are now learning, is that the cholesterol we get from food may not influence the cholesterol levels in the body after all.

Breaking news! Cholesterol may have been innocent

A study by the American Journal of Nutrition shed some interesting insight into cholesterol, saturated fat and overall cardiovascular health. The study worked from the premise of early studies, showing that high intakes of saturated fat and cholesterol led to arthrosclerosis related issues.

After extensive trials they found: “Intake of saturated fat was not associated with an increased risk of CHD, stroke, or CVD. A meta-analysis of prospective epidemiologic studies showed that there is no significant evidence for concluding that dietary saturated fat is associated with an increased risk of CHD or CVD.”

Another more recent study in Future Medicine puts forward that dietary sources of cholesterol don’t play a role in increased risk of heart disease. Similar results come from the British Medical Journal: “Higher consumption of foods that contained high levels of LDL cholesterol did not increase the risk of coronary heart disease and, in fact, reduced the risk of developing a hemorrhagic stroke.”

Still, that’s not to say we should all be diving headfirst into a vat of butter. While cholesterol may have been excessively vilified, you still need to be pragmatic about how much is too much – and why.

How much is too much?

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), healthy people should stick to about 300 milligrams a day. For those with heart disease, diabetes and other coronary risk factors, 200 milligrams looks like the magic number.

Optimistically though, with all this new research, experts tentatively believe these guidelines might be too strict and are looking into raising the limits to 500 milligram a day for health people. Don’t get carried away though – have a chat with your doctor to hone in on what will work for you. Or, you can even talk to one of ours. Just download the Hello Doctor app and request a call.

References

How dangerous are statins?

September 28th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Statins have a great track record for helping those with heart diseases and high cholesterol levels. They help decrease the death rate in people with a history of heart disease and high cholesterol by as much as 20% and doctors are looking to use statins even more widely for other conditions.

How do statins work?

Statins are a group of enzymes also known as “HMG CoA reductase inhibitors” which block the production of cholesterol by standing directly in the metabolic path responsible for forming cholesterol.

The purpose of statins is to raise the levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL = high density lipoprotein) and lower the levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL = low density lipoprotein). “Bad” cholesterol or LDL is responsible for the layer of plaque that forms on artery walls and causes heart attacks and strokes. (Although there is more to the story than this.)

More bad news

While statins seem to make a difference to the rates of heart attacks and strokes linked to high cholesterol, up to 15% of people experience side-effects from this medication, such digestive problems like diarrhoea and constipation, weakness and muscle cramps.

Other people have complained about forgetfulness and an overall negative effect on their mood. Statins were also shown to cause liver failure in very rare instances.

Some doctors say that they hear increasingly more complaints of muscle aches and fatigue that could be related to their patients’ statins. Statins can also interact with other medications, especially some antibiotics and antidepressants.

And while there are claims that statins could lower cancer deaths and lower the risk of inflammation in the body, these studies aren’t wholly valid as the sample sizes are simply too small.

The controversies

Statins are generally considered safe and seem to be tolerated well by many. Yet new research by the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London suggests that individuals did not suspect an increase in muscle cramps if they didn’t know they were taking statins. The researchers however, found that those who know they’re taking statins were 41% more likely to report muscle problems.

Although studies have found a slight increased risk for diabetes and a small increase in myopathy, the benefits are still more significant than the possible risks. Another study published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology, analyased the results of 29 trials involving more than 80 000 people. The study concluded that statins have minimal side-effects and people taking statins had fewer adverse symptoms than those taking a placebo.

This means that people would rather put themselves at risk for heart attacks because they’re discouraged by the controversial nature and the very small risks of the medication. This shouldn’t be the case, because the fatality of a heart attack or stroke is often higher than the very small increased risks of other illnesses and the possible side-effects of statins.

All in all, don’t just stop taking statins because of what you’ve heard. If you do feel any discomfort, first talk to your doctor – or even chat to one of ours.

Important

If you stop statins without consulting a doctor, your cholesterol levels could rise to dangerously high levels. There are some measures your doctor can take if you do experience side-effects:

Switch to a lower dose of statins.
Stop the medication for a while to see if the symptoms go away. Muscle pains and digestion problems can often have other causes.
Alter your exercise regime to rule out muscle cramps.

References:

The Easter eggs you should be eating

March 21st, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Boiled, poached or scrambled, eggs are one of the most versatile and nutritious foods in your kitchen. Both the white and yolk are good sources of inexpensive, high-quality protein, needed to build and maintain your muscles, organs, skin and tissue, antibodies, enzymes and hormones. In fact, eggs are thought of as a “complete” source of protein as they contain all eight essential amino acids.

What’s more, eggs are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. They provide a little bit of almost every nutrient we need, including Vitamins A, B5, B12, D and E, and minerals like choline, iodine, iron, phosphorus and selenium.

With their incredible nutritional content, eggs play a major role in a healthy, balanced diet, and could boost your health. Eggs:

Contain lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that help keep your eyes healthy and protect against macular degeneration and cataracts.
Are one the best sources of choline; an essential nutrient used to build cell membranes and enable brain development in the foetus. It also enhances memory function into old age.
Are one of the few natural food sources of Vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption and maintaining healthy bones and teeth.
Can raise levels of HDL “good” cholesterol. Higher levels of HDL have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease. Some brands of eggs contain Omega-3 fatty acids, known to reduce triglycerides (bad fats) in the blood. This can also slash your risk for heart problems.
Can keep you fuller for longer, which can prevent unhealthy snacking and reduce your overall calorie intake. This little side benefit can help with weight loss and help you maintain a healthy weight.

The cholesterol question
Eggs are known for being high in cholesterol and have for years been deemed as “unhealthy”. A single egg has 212 mg, which is more than half of the recommended daily intake of 300 mg. Still, the cholesterol in eggs has almost no effect on your blood cholesterol levels. Foods that are high in saturated fat have more of an impact on your blood cholesterol levels than foods containing cholesterol. Eggs are low in saturated fat, so they shouldn’t raise your LDL “bad” cholesterol levels.

The main concern is how you prepare the egg, what you eat with it, and what you eat for the rest of the day. This may be the culprit for high cholesterol levels and not your egg consumption.

You can safely eat one or two eggs several times a week.

References:

The lowdown on cholesterol

December 7th, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

You choose a delicious sandwich spread from the shelf in the supermarket and you put it down immediately because you see those scary words – cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is what gives cholesterol such a bad rep and it is the cholesterol that your doctor warns you about. It contributes to plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can your clog arteries and make them less flexible. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, a heart attack or stroke can result.

Continue reading “The lowdown on cholesterol”

5 Top cholesterol-lowering foods

January 9th, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

Cholesterol is a steroid fat found in your blood, but not many people know that you need it for the proper functioning of your cell membranes. Luckily, your body makes all the cholesterol you need – the problem is often a diet that gives us too much, and high levels of cholesterol have been shown to increase the risk of stroke and heart disease. Continue reading “5 Top cholesterol-lowering foods”

Cholesterol – a major risk of heart disease

November 19th, 2014 by The Hello Doctor Team

High cholesterol is one of the major risk factors of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. However, you can successfully lower bad cholesterol levels by making certain diet and lifestyle changes.

Remember, the body only requires a small amount of cholesterol to function in top form, and when too much cholesterol is present in the diet, health conditions such as heart disease can develop. Plaque (a thick, hard deposit) forms in the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through properly. Over time, this build-up of plaque causes hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart disease.
Continue reading “Cholesterol – a major risk of heart disease”

Could you have high cholesterol? Take our quiz!

June 22nd, 2014 by The Hello Doctor Team

If you have a raised blood cholesterol level, you might not even know it. Often, symptoms only appear when the damage has already been done.

Do you know if you’re at risk? Take our quiz to find out!
Continue reading “Could you have high cholesterol? Take our quiz!”