Latest blood test results (updated: 8/26/15)
Total Cholesterol - 295 mg/dL
LDL Cholesterol - 217 mg/dL
HDL Cholesterol - 55 mg/dL
Triglycerides - 115 mg/dL
Fasting glucose - 85 mg/dL
Total Testosterone - 455 ng/dL
HbA1c - 5.2%
TSH - 1.09 uIU/mL
Cholesterol trends
From what I understand, the LDL measurement in normal blood tests is useless without some "context". There are 2 different types of LDL cholesterol - Pattern A, which is large and buoyant and does not clog arteries, and Pattern B, which is small and dense and gets under the endothelial wall and clogs arteries and causes problems. The conventional LDL measurement measures both in the same number; how do you know which ones your LDL consists of? You can get an NMR test, but the poor man's version is looking at your HDL and Triglycerides. If you have high HDL and low Triglycerides, you have Pattern A. Good. If you have low HDL and high triglycerides, you have Pattern B, and you're going to die of a heart attack. Luckily my HDL has improved and my Triglycerides are much better, but I have had tests that were much better (such as the datapoint for 11/21/13). This means I've got some work to do, but I have come a long way. See the my HDL and Triglycerides history below.
Here are my HbA1c results. HbA1c measures "non-enzymatic glycation" of protein (glucose binding to proteins in the blood) which is bad. It also gives you an insight into your blood glucose control for approximately the past 3 months. The lower it is, the better, and a high number (typically over 6.0%) indicates Diabetes.
