I am in a similar boat.  I eliminated wheat, added cod liver oil(1-1.5 TBS or so per day), and take vitamin D supplements(gel caps around 4-5K IU per day).  Here were my results:

TOTAL: 272
HDL: 76
LDL(calculated): 184
Triglycerides: 62

I strongly suspect the LDL is BS due to large particle size.  I will only be able to tell with the NMR, which I will do sometime this year.  I am not worried so I am in no rush.

Dr. Davis, thank you for providing such eye-opening insights in the interpretation of lipid testing results, and for explaining the limits of the usefulness of these measurements.

However, in the typical doctor's office, the high (calculated) LDL prompts the doctor to push for treatment (including statins).  My doctor tells me that I need not avoid statins, as he is taking those himself, and he wouldn't if he'd think they were a problem.

I can take my NMR Liposcience LDL particle count result to my doctor, and tell him that my real LDL number is 1/10th of the LDL particle count.  This actual number looks great!  How can I show my doctor that this calculation is correct (LDL particle count divided by 10), and that the standard Framingham calculated LDL should be ignored.   Is there a reference paper I can show my doctor, which explains the science behind the "LDL particle count divided by 10" rule?

I had a coronary calcium scan a  few years ago. My score was about 350 with most of the calcium in the LAD.

My Manhattan cardiologist responded by putting me on the treadmill and doing an eco stress test. I passed it with flying colors.


I went to my internist who said  I should be concerned about that calcium score. I said my cardio won't give me any other tests. He said to go back and tell him I have chest pains. I did, got the angiogram and a stent for the 80% blockage in my "widow-maker" LAD.

Now my lipid profile (I have dyslipidemia) is LDL 23, HDL 23, triglycerides 350 (1000 w/o meds). I had thyroidectomy in 1991 and take synthroid 200 mg.

My combo thereapy is:
2000 Niaspan, 40 Simvastatin, 200 Co-enzyme Q10, 1200 fish oil. It'a about as aggressive as my body can stand. Tricor and other fibrates interfere with synthroid absorption (I bet you didn't know that).

My questions are:
1. Would it be better for me to take the new combo Simvastatin/Niaspan drug rather than take them separately?

2. Just passed a nuclear stress test. Should I insist on another angiogram soon?

3. Would another calcium scan be useful?

Thanks,

John

this is absolutely spot on!  My numbers prior to NMR showed a total cholesterol of 150, HDL of 41, and TRG of 53.  Because of family history, my internist had me take NMR study and results showed that my particle number for LDL was 1795 and all small particles.  Since eliminating wheat and being on a statin my particle number is down to 1305,but still all small. Not sure that size can be changed, probably genetic.  
Sadly, many out there think they have a fine profile from indirect measurement, and reality is that many probably do not.

What is the recommended range for the ApoB test?
My lab gives this:

Male reference range 0.52 - 1.09 g/L
Female reference range 0.49 - 1.03 g/L

Using the Immunoturbidimetric method.
VAP and NMR tests not available here.

http://www.labnet.co.nz/testmanager/index.php?fuseaction=main.DisplayTest&testid=292

Anne,

Those are FANTASTIC, phenomenal labs !!!

You go GIRL!

-G

Anne,

Those are FANTASTIC, phenomenal labs !!!

You go GIRL!

-G

I strongly suspect the LDL is BS due to large particle size. I will only be able to tell with the NMR, which I will do sometime this year. I am not worried so I am in no rush.

Did you see the statins article in latest issue of BW? It is a MUST read!

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_04/b4068052092994.htm?chan=magazine+channel_top+stories

I'd make it akin to pregnancy: ya either are or ya aint... no grey areas.  
could be 9mos, could be 3mos but you're still pregnant.

Scan and Track yourself...You either have a positive CAC score, lucky dude (or dudette) it's zero. If it's positive then Obliterate that Plaque (S.T.O.P.) with TYP and DR. Davis!

And if you look 3mos pregnant (and you're male) there's a 100% chance you have plaque.
And if you're female... and NOT pregnant, ditto because central obesity typically indicates Insulin Resistance the strongest plaque builder out there. 70% of the world's population are pre-diabetic or have type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and it's growing everyday.

I can't tell you how many people have come to me and told me that a doctor told them statins were "magic" or a virtual "cure" for heart disease. Of course, they are not. They don't even come close.

Yes, statins do provide a role. In a $26 billion industry, perhaps 20% of that is truly necessary.

Well said.

Maybe I should post a piece called "Are you a pregnant male?"

A little off subject, but any comments on the latest report( I believe from the  Framingham study ) that says low vitamin D levels is a very definite cardiac risk factor ONLY in people with high blood pressure and not at all in anybody else?

As with any observational study in which no intervention (e.g., treatment with vitamin D) was made, various factors as predictors of death and heart attack emerge only when powerful effects are likely.

We see enormous effects from vit D replacement regardless of BP effects. Remember also that there is more to life and health than reduction of cardiovascular disease risk. Vit D also reduces risk of falls/fractures, osteoporosis, various cancers (esp. colon and prostate), reduces blood sugar, inflammatory responses, etc.

I know this is probably not the right place to post this message but I do not know where else to. I live in the UK and I have had 'Track Your Plaque' on order for the past two weeks with Play.com (similar to Amazon). I queried why my order is taking so long and they said that the book is printed on demand. Is this correct ? If so please can you tell me when you are next doing a printing because I really do need the book before the beginning of February when I will be seeing my cardiologist and asking him for a referral for an EBCT scan. I want to go to my appointment armed with 'Track Your Plaque' !

with kind regards,
Anne

Yes, this far out from its original printing, it is now printed only on demand.

Dear Dr Davis,

Have you any idea how long it takes to get a copy printed ? I have a bicuspid aortic valve with moderate stenosis and I think it would be a good idea for my cardiologist to refer me for a scan so that we can see why the stenosis is progressing if it is due to calcification of the valve - I don't see what else it could be - but he may take some convincing and I was hoping that if I had the book it would be helpful. If I don't get a referral it will be too expensive for me to pay for myself as an EBCT scan in the UK costs around £500 or $1000.

with best wishes,
Anne

Hi, Anne-
Unfortunately, a heart scan will not be very helpful for the question of aortic valve disease. Yes, it can quantify calcium on the valve, but this is not a factor in determining when replacement is necessary, nor does it help track progression, unlike in coronary arteries.

Be sure to take a look at vitamin D--this is crucial in aortic valve issues.

Dear Dr Davis,

Oh, I see :-( My cardiologist is doing yearly echocardiograms to determine when to replace the valve, but, from my limited knowledge, I had been thinking that if I knew the exact extent of any calcification on the valve and took all steps necessary to reverse the calcification then I could reverse the progression of the stenosis and never have to have a valve replacement. I have started to take 5000iu of D3 per day yes

with best wishes,
Anne

Hi Dr. Davis,

I have a friend whose wife has mitral valve prolapse.  Would Vitamin D3 supplementation be useful in treating this?

anne,

I bought 8 books -- and they arrived in < 1wk.  Once you read it, you'll want your best friends and family to get onboard too!   No point in being immortal... ALONE.
Also, if you're considering trackyourplaque.com membership, the TYP book is included!

g

Hi, WC--
No. Vit D will not have any specific effect on mitral valve prolapse. However, it's still worth taking for all the other benefits, however.

I received a zero score in a coronary artery calcium screening. However, the clinic mailed me a report that had some comments related to mild ectasia of the ascending aorta and subtle calcification involving the descending aorta.  Any thoughts?

Then it's likely that high blood pressure, vitamin D deficiency, and some other factors (see lipoproteins) are active issues.

Dr. Davis
Thank you for the response. I am fascinated by your blog and will follow up on your suggestions.

wccaguy,

Re mitral valve prolapse: Is magnesium a factor? Bit of an obscure ref but Mg is pretty non toxic by mouth...

Peter

Magnesium depletion seems common also in diabetes.  Could perhaps Mg depletion and it's negative consequences, including valve damage as per Peter's reference, be caused by the excessive carbohydrate consumption as the primary factor?

Stan (Heretic)

http://www.chiro.org/nutrition/magnesium.shtml#carbohydrate_metabolism

Yes, magnesium depletion can develop on high-carbohydrate diets, and it also aggravtes pre-diabetic tendencies.

However, while magnesium supplementation can reduce some of the consequences of mitral valve prolapse (such as abnormal heart rhythms), it does not actually protect the valve.

A bit confusing.

Dr. Davis wrote:  However, while magnesium supplementation can reduce some of the consequences of mitral valve prolapse (such as abnormal heart rhythms), it does not actually protect the valve.

Very interesting!  That would suggest that magnesium depletion may be a coincidental marker of something else that is the common cause of both heart damage and magnesium depletion. Much like in the serum cholesterol case, perhaps?

Dear Dr Davis,

You wrote: "Unfortunately, a heart scan will not be very helpful for the question of aortic valve disease. Yes, it can quantify calcium on the valve, but this is not a factor in determining when replacement is necessary, nor does it help track progression, unlike in coronary arteries."

I've just found this article which suggests that the stenosis associated with bicuspid aortic valve can be reversed, and likens the progression of the calcification on the valve to that in atherosclerosis in arterial walls: http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/full/42/4/593

Can you comment on this please because if it were true then the strategies employed in Track Your Plaque would work for valves too wouldn't they ?

with best wishes,
Anne

Anne--

The review you cite preceded publication of two studies that attempted to affect progression of aortic valve disease using high-dose Lipitor or Crestor. Lipitor had no effect; Crestor, 40 mg per day, did have a small effect.

Because the Track Your Plaque program does not track aortic valve disease, I cannot say whether or not it has any effects. However, it is probably small to none--with the exception of vitamin D. I have great hopes for vitamin D's effect on slowing or reversing aortic valve disease. We are accumulating an experience with vit D, but it's too preliminary to publish.

I saw my cardiologist today for my yearly echocardiogram. The pressure gradient across my bicuspid aortic valve has increased from 35mmHg to 38mmHg since last year which my cardiologist said was good....but he's going to refer me for an EBCT scan !  And because I have private health insurance I should be covered.....they don't do EBCT scans under the NHS here in the UK so I'm really lucky

all the best,
Anne

Dear Dr Davis,

I had the results of my scan today. There's no calcification in the coronary arteries But calcification showed up on the bicuspid aortic valve. My cardiologist said there's nothing I can do about that because of the turbulent blood flow, but I'm determined that I will be able to halt the calcification or reverse it and I will be watching your blog for anything you write about aortic valve disease, especially when you write about your work with vitamin D and aortic valves. I'm currently taking 4000iu D3.

with best wishes,
Anne

Coronary atherosclerosis is a diffuse process that involves much of the length of the artery. It is therefore folly to believe that a 15 mm long stent has addressed the disease. This is no more a solution than to replace the faucet in your kitchen in a house with rotting pipes from the basement up.

I'm curious about the requirement that California  residents must have a doctor's prescription when sending in the test kit.  I'm a CA resident and I've done home testing a few times with other labs and I never needed an order or Rx from my doctor.  

Why do these tests have that CA requirement?  I think that policy might need to be reviewed.

New York State, though, does prohibit home test kits, which really stinks, IMO.  I don't even think one can home test even with a doctor's OK.    I don't know how the state thinks that is protecting their residents.  I had to relay-mail my dad's www.grassrootshealth.net Vit D study test kit to him in NYS to get around this silly prohibition.

Nice informative blog

try Heart Health

I love the idea of at-home blood tests and your April 12 post on self-directed health.  Certainly, websites such as this one, Blood Sugar 101, Whole Health Source, Hyperlipid and Dr Eades blog make it easier to begin to take charge of one's own health (a prediabetes FBS brought me to this world and I am now low-carb and grain free as a result).

My first experience with a home test was via Grassroots Health's vitamin D test.  One of the things that made it simple and worth doing was all the information on Vitamin D at the usual blogs, including the Vitamin D Council.  I was able to start supplementing immediately once I saw my level.

But I find that things get more complicated when one tries to interpret the results of the various blood tests offered via TYP.

For example, I saw an ND who gave me an at home saliva test and an OGTT.  I knew I was prediabetic, but was told I was hypothyroid (very low cortisol), insulin resistant, hypoglycemic and that my serotonin, GABA, and dopamine were very low and nor-epinephrine was too high.  My hsCRP was below 3, but not .5.  Oh, yeah, and something about adrenal fatigue, which I'm not even sure exists.

I did not follow the advice of the ND because I found so much conflicting information.  My hope is that the Heart Scan Blog will offer much more information about how to interpret the results of the blood tests and what course of action is recommended given various results.

I thought that the only testosterone test that mattered was the "free" bio available testosterone level test, which is a saliva test? A man can have "normal" serum T level but none of it is being used which the "free" T test can show

...please where can I buy a unicorn?

New York State, though, does prohibit home test kits, which really stinks, IMO. I don't even think one can home test even with a doctor's OK. I don't know how the state thinks that is protecting their residents. I had to relay-mail my dad's www.grassrootshealth.net Vit D study test kit to him in NYS to get around this silly prohibition.