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Hi all. In August 2009 I went into the ER in the middle of the night after waking with a massive headache and what I thought was indigestion. I remember the headache because I hardly ever get headaches and actually got out of bed to take an aspirin (something else I normally never do). Anyway my troponin levels were elevated and I was told I just had a heart attack.

Hard to believe, I was 34, 5'9, 155 lbs, ate what I thought was a healthy diet (SAD), and lifted weights frequently. I looked and thought I was in peak condition. I had a heart cath and was told I had no damage and no blockage (I will upload the video if there's any interest). My total cholesterol was 115 (HDL 16, LDL 74, TG 126). I was eventually put on 20mg pravistatin.

I have since been on a mission to learn as much as I can and make whatever changes necessary. This first led me to eating a very strict low fat diet and doing an insane amount of cardio exercise. This brought my cholesterol to 138 (HDL 31, LDL 69, TG 111) on 3/21/2011. I dropped to about 145-150 lbs.

Not convinced that this was any better than before I kept searching and eventually found Marks Daily Apple. Sometime in May I started to make changes to my diet (I still lift weights and do cardio occasionally) lowering carbs and eating more eggs, red meat, and vegetables. I did another lipid panel on 7/15 and and my cholesterol was 155 (HDL 39, LDL 90, TG 130). Later that week I committed to a much more primal diet.

Since then my typical breakfast is egg casserole (local farm pastured eggs, local farm sausage, organic vegetables) with a glass of milk (full fat, organic). Throughout the morning I drink a 2 cup mug of coffee that contains half/half and a tbsp of honey. Lunch is a salad with hard boiled eggs and or avocado with olive oil. Dinner is typically either salmon or grass fed beef with veggies. I also eat a few squares of 90% coca daily.

On 8/19 I (prematurely) did another lipid panel (I'm an accountant so its all about the numbers for me) and cholesterol was 159 (HDL 34, LDL 98, TG 135). This worried me but I eventually found that this is a normal liver defatting stage. At this time I weighed 142. I also had the following tested: Glusoce 97 hsCRP 1.2 A1c 5.5

Thinking another 6 weeks should be enough time to defat my liver I got another lipid panel done Friday (9/30). I'm down to about 140lbs. Total cholesterol is now 183 (HDL 39, LDL 120, TG 120). I realize I should have had a VAP/NMR done and will do this for my next test.

My questions: Are my numbers improving yet? Should my numbers be improving yet?
Am I doing anything that is preventing my HDL from going up/TG's from going down? When should I do my NMR lipoprofile? Any other suggestions?

edit: ECG from cardiologist appointments: 4/09/10 rate 62 pr 132 qrsd 76 qt 376 qtc 382 axis p -20 qrs 85 t 24 normal ecg unconfirmed diagnosis 10/08/2010 rate 92 pr 140 qrsd 80 qt 332 atc 411 axis p 58 qrs 90 t 42 borderline right axis deviation qrs axis (90,110) otherwise normal ecg unconfirmed diagnosis 04/08/2011 rate 65 pr 128 qrsd 79 qt 360 qtc 374 axis p 12 qrs 84 t 52 normal ecg unconfirmed diagnosis.

Have another cardiologist appointment this Friday.

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Added Glucose, hsCRP and A1C levels – berger6696 Oct 3 2011 at 19:24
8 
 I admit it makes me nervous to offer advice because you're dealing with significant medical issues. I was going to say, "Read what the masters (Sissons, Cordain, Eades, Kruse, etc.) say" but I see below that someone else already made at least one such reference. I'll change mine to "Don't act on comments by amateur hackers." – Nance Oct 3 2011 at 19:29
I appreciate that Nance. Its hard not to get caught up in what people say. Heck according to my cardiologist I'm fine (so then why did this happen to me?). For my family's sake I just want to make sure of that. – berger6696 Oct 3 2011 at 19:46
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 I am sorry if I am missing this but what is your vitamin D level? Do you supplement D3? – none Oct 3 2011 at 23:54
Have not had vitamin D tested, just started supplementing about a month ago. I take 4000 iu once a day. – berger6696 Oct 4 2011 at 1:04
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15 Answers

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Actually, most mainstream cardiologists in the know would say that your low HDL is immaterial because your total cholesterol and LDL are also low. Remember, the Kitavans have very low HDLs but they are not known to suffer heart attacks. The Tarahumaras of Mexico, who live on three sisters (squash, beans, and corn) are known to have HDLs in the teens (and TC under 100). They also don't have heart problems. At least, that's the vegan-Castelli-Framingham argument: if your TC or LDL is low (~100; , you don't need a busy working crew of Roto Rooter (HDL). At least that was so until recently, when your TC went up and your HDL has been stagnant.

Your Trigs are high and remain elevated even on a whole foods diet. Your CRP is also high for someone eating whole foods. Your A1c isn't too good for a nondiabetic and you're insulin resistant. How are your liver enzymes? Do you have some underlying issues like autoimmune diseases? I think you would need a whole host of inflammation markers (homocysteine, etc.) to be tested. Your numbers don't seem to be improving, despite eating healthy. They're actually getting worse, except for some HDL increase but that's negated by TC going up.

The issue is largely suggested by your elevated Trigs, in relation to HDL, and despite your avoidance of processed carbs. Something is preventing your Trigs to drop and your LDL is going up: it might indeed be ApoEE. If you're taking calcium supplements, I would stop. Consider taking fish oil.

Are you male or female? If female, the most important marker is your LP(a), which could be elevated, as it is genetically determined. Forget LDL/HDL/Trigs, if that's the case.

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Male. I'm not taking calcium supps but I have been taking a multivitamin and daily nsaid since the incident. I recently (maybe a month ago) started taking 4000 iu D3, and 3 1000mg fish oil daily. I also take B12 for allergies (been taking this for 5+ years). And of course the statin. – berger6696 Oct 4 2011 at 12:00
Liver enzymes were within range (18/24 I think). I do not have the tests in front of me. No know issues. – berger6696 Oct 4 2011 at 12:17
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 Your doctor is going straight from the book: low-dose aspirin therapy and statins are de riguer in mainstream medicine for someone who's had a heart attack. You can't really argue against the statin since Pravistain is less virulent than Crestor/Lipitor and statin therapy somewhat reduces risk (vs. someone w/no heart attack) if you've ahd one. For the time being, I would follow those suggestions. You are a classic case of someone who's TC and LDL do not fit a heart attack candidate; but then 50% of those who suffer heart attacks are like u. – Namby Pamby Oct 4 2011 at 16:36
2 
 There you go: you need a VAP test not for the particle size but for the genetic components (Lpa). That is a huge risk component that's hard to measure w/simple infl markers. It's unfortunate. People on this board might disagree, but you might have to be open to the possibility that Paleoing (high fat) might not work for you. Some of us are not genetically ideal for high fat. – Namby Pamby Oct 4 2011 at 17:09
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 The kitavans have zero to do with this. They have their own epigenetic biology that allows them to live as they do. Berger is as far away from as a kitavan is as a convention doc is to a shaman – The Quilt Oct 8 2011 at 14:40
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I would suspect a parasitic infection, perhaps trypanosomes.

First, your serum cholesterol is way too low and the most likely cause is a parasitic - protozoal - infection. You might read the various posts in this series, especially the ones about hunter-gatherer serum cholesterol levels: http://perfecthealthdiet.com/?cat=140.

Second, indigestion and headache may be more consistent with a parasitic infection than a heart attack.

Third, parasitic infections can cause cardiac damage and high cardiac troponin levels. For trypanosomes doing this see http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21283741, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16075261. Some parasites also produce proteins that closely resemble troponin, eg http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19090648.

There's no obvious reason for a young, healthy, atherosclerosis-free person to have heart damage apart from an infection, so I would look carefully into this. The low cholesterol is a great clue that your infection is protozoal.

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Thanks Paul. Are there any other symptoms that would support this? I almost never get headaches. That incident was probably the last time I took medication for a headache. Thanks. – berger6696 Oct 3 2011 at 19:58
Try reading the Wikipedia page on Trypanosoma cruzi: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trypanosoma_cruzi. Human American trypanosomiasis, or Chagas disease, has two forms, a trypomastigote found in human blood and an amastigote found in tissues. The acute form usually goes unnoticed and may present as a localized swelling at the site of entry. The chronic form may develop 10 to 20 years after infection. This form affects internal organs (e.g., the heart, the esophagus, the colon, and the peripheral nervous system). Affected people may die from heart failure. – Paul Jaminet Oct 3 2011 at 20:00
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 To me this is not chagas. History does not fit and neither does blood work. At 34 your exposure could have been as a teenager but given your geography and history only way to get it would be a blood transfusion that was infected with it. The cardiac manifestations also are not ischemic but usually of pump failure due to the amastigotes love of the neural plexi. Moreover, the admission labs would have shown some abnormalities in lymphocytes fractions. And if this was chronic chagas with cardiac issues.....other organs and symptoms of mega organogenesis would be present. – The Quilt Oct 4 2011 at 0:43
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 berger, I would ask for a referral to an infectious disease specialist and get checked out. Be sure to tell them of the low serum cholesterol and its relation to protozoal infections. Jack, CMV is always a possible contributing factor but usually doesn't cause acute disease by itself, and doesn't lower serum cholesterol. Trypanosoma cruzi is found in the US. He was also in Jamaica. These conditions may not be common in the US but are probably not uncommon among people who have heart attacks at age 34. I think he needs a knowledgeable specialist to do a workup and diagnosis. – Paul Jaminet Oct 4 2011 at 15:53
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 berger, just go to your primary care physician and ask for a referral. Just tell the infectious disease specialist, look, I had a heart attack at age 34 even though I have no sign of atherosclerosis. I have chronically low serum cholesterol. I have read that both low serum cholesterol and cardiomyopathy can be caused by protozoal infections. I want to be checked out. Let the doctors do the rest. – Paul Jaminet Oct 5 2011 at 14:12
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I would go for the something that can only help and almost certanly not hurt. Since you had heart attack, lets boost the heart first:

  • Coenzime Q10, 200-300mg, highest quolity [has potential to rise HDL too, deals with statin induced deficiency]
  • L-Carnitine, few grams [don't know exact values for MI]
  • Vitamin B5, 100mg
  • Vitamin C, 4-12g [has potential to lower LDL too and recover adrenals if it was stress]
  • Good multivitamin, just to make sure everything important is there.
  • Fish oil and Mg might not be bad idea too
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My bet is you have a very leaky gut that needs a good hack and few other things to think about.....apoE4 allele is in play, low vitamin D levels, suboptimal free and total testosterone, low thyroid function, low dhea-s, low pregnenolone levels, and poor sleep.

Get those labs and i bet some trends appear. Your low HDL is a major clue.

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I'm having trouble finding the Apoe4 test. What is it called? FWIW I'm using directlabs.com. Re poor sleep - I'm sleeping great! And waking feeling very refreshed. – berger6696 Oct 4 2011 at 13:17
That's a genetic test you can get from 23andme and other such sites. Doctors may not be open to this. – Namby Pamby Oct 4 2011 at 17:12
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 Check out this link regarding genetic testing: paleohacks.com/questions/57164/… – Namby Pamby Oct 4 2011 at 17:13
One place I'm confused re ApoE4. Doesn't ApoE4 usually mean high cholesterol? If anything I would think E2 given my low cholesterol levels. Unless I'm missing something? And one other place I'm confused - since my MI, my cholesterol levels look MUCH better (+59% overall, +62% LDL (could be good or bad), +144% HDL, and -5% TG). Is it possible I'm responding to the whole foods diet, just at a slow pace? – berger6696 Oct 4 2011 at 18:33
If you have 4 in 1 or more of your APoE alleles, high fat could increase LDL. I think you're part of the 35% of the general population w/a 4 allele. Look back at your history: you started Paleoing in 5/2011, and it's low-carb Paleo (you mention no starch and very lil sugar). Your LDL increased 75% from your 3/2011 number, while your HDL & Trigs are up marginally. But the key is your Trigs should plummet while low-carbing; you ain't. – Namby Pamby Oct 4 2011 at 19:11
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berger6696,

You mentioned a prodromal viral-like syndrome in the days prior leading to the ACS?

Have you considered being tested for Parvo B19 antibodies?

The inflammatory damage simulate coronary spasm/damage and NSTEMI 'infarctions'. http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/full/52/7/523

Avoiding saturated fats, eating high refined carbs (high glycemic index, gluten-related gut dysbiosis, vast omega-3 deficiencies, excessive canola/corn oils products, blah blah blah) put you in a good spot for a viral syndrome and hugely impaired immunity to tackle a virus.

HDL of 16 OMG WTF???! You are lucky you discovered resources on the net and now on a more decent diet and lifestyles.

Personally I have a lot of anti-statin material I am too lazy to post here but consider the value of ignoring the LDL count but consider the quality (buoyancy) and other biomarkers of health (gut testing, get digestion perked up, optimal/perfect hormones, CoQ10, etc)

Good luck and please keep us posted on your continued progress and learning!

G

ADDITION:

Did you see THIS or the NACB diagnostic guidelines?

Table 6-1 Elevations of Cardiac Troponins without Overt Ischemic Heart Disease

• Trauma (including contusion, ablation, pacing, ICD firings including atrial defibrillators, cardioversion, endomyocardial biopsy, cardiac surgery, after interventional closure of ASDs)

• Congestive heart failure–acute and chronic

• Aortic valve disease and HOCM with significant LVH

• Hypertension

• Hypotension, often with arrhythmias

• Postoperative noncardiac surgery patients who seem to do well

• Renal failure

• Critically ill patients, especially with diabetes, respiratory failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, sepsis

• Drug toxicity, e.g., adriamycin, 5-fluorouracil, herceptin, snake venoms, carbon monoxide poisoning

• Hypothyroidism

• Abnormalities in coronary vasomotion, including coronary vasospasm

• Apical ballooning syndrome

• Inflammatory diseases e.g., myocarditis, eg. parvovirus B19, Kawasaki disease, sarcoid, smallpox vaccination, or myocardial extension of BE

• Post PCI patients who appear to be uncomplicated

• Pulmonary embolism, severe pulmonary hypertension

• Sepsis

• Burns, especially if total surface burn area (TBSA) 30%

• Infiltrative diseases including amyloidosis, hemachromatosis, sarcoidosis and scleroderma

• Acute neurological disease, including cerebrovascular accident, subarchnoid bleeds

• Rhabdomyolysis with cardiac injury

• Transplant vasculopathy

• Vital Exhaustion

1Babuin L, Jaffe AS. Troponin: the biomarker of choice for the detection of cardiac injury. CMAJ 2005;173:1191–202.

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Parvo is transmitted easily and via fomites (survival on inanimate objects). I had a friend who had this and a subsequent cath and since blockages were seen 3vessel-stents. Now he has metal in his veins forever. stanford.edu/group/virus/parvo/parvovirus.html – grace Oct 8 2011 at 7:48
Just looked up parvo B19. While I dont recall having the rash associated with it, I definitely recall having joint pain and swelling AFTER the MI. My cardiologist recommended Niacin and after taking it for maybe a week I developed joint pain in my knee, ankle, neck and wrist. Researched the effects and concluded it was a gout flair up caused by the Niacin. I stopped the Niacin and the pain/swelling went away. Tried the Niacin again about 6mos-1yr ago and again the joint pain came back (stopped as soon as I noticed symptoms). Could Niacin cause this if its Parvo related? – berger6696 Oct 8 2011 at 14:07
Also, the reason I checked into the ER was because I had some of the classic symptoms of a heart attack (chest discomfort, mild tingling in arm, shortness of breath). All were very mild and if it wasn't for my wife being adamant about getting it checked out I probably would have gone back to sleep. One other thing I just remembered, I felt the same discomfort the previous day and blew it off. – berger6696 Oct 8 2011 at 14:15
Great.....somebody else feels the viral angle.....hence my viral tier recs! – The Quilt Oct 8 2011 at 14:41
If niacin did this you are likely a hypomethylator too....means low hdl anf high homocysteine! You better read my b vitamin blog too. – The Quilt Oct 8 2011 at 14:43
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Your HDL is very low, your triglyderides are way too high. Low HDL is indicative of Leaky Gut Syndrome. The following from Dr. Kruse, The Quilt.

[quote]It appears when your plasma HDL is low, so is your level of paraoxonase. So HDL is a type of a clinical marker for paraoxanase (and perhaps Vitamin K2 levels by extrapolation). This should explain to you why I use HDL as a measure of how leaky our gut is (and why your Vitamin K2 is likely low too) to endotoxins that then are able to oxidize our LDL molecules. The absolute level of LDL is of little consequence to me in clinical evaluation. The level of oxidation of the plasma, however, is hugely important. So when one has a low HDL, high HS-CRP and a high ferritin level you have the “trifecta of a highly inflammatory serum plasma” and one that causes all kinds of neolithic diseases. This was explained in detail in my VAP and leaky gut posts here.[/quote]

http://jackkruse.com/how-to-find-your-inner-masterpiece/

You need to be on Dr. kruse's Leptin Reset Protocol to get you back to a healthy state. Many are now reaping the benefits of his protocol. Look for it Leptin Prescription. You can prevent another heart attack but you must change your lifestyle in what you eat and how you think.

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 Dare I say I have already started to experience Leptin Sensitivity without ever reading that before. – berger6696 Oct 3 2011 at 19:43
But your labs do not reflect that you are even close to Leptin sensitivity. Your are still in a very vunerable place with your labs. – Dextery Oct 4 2011 at 3:07
True, I was referring to the signs (#5) on the leptin prescription page. The labs tell a different story. – berger6696 Oct 4 2011 at 12:03
so then you need to assess what is best for you.....labs or opinion? This is why I serial test....it forms the foundation of my recs. It is the rosetta stone for our epigenetic switches. Some paleo bloggers dont advocate testing. That is a decision for you to make. – The Quilt Oct 5 2011 at 16:09
The more disease and destruction one acquires the the need to test. You can not manage if you cant measure. – The Quilt Oct 8 2011 at 14:37
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I think you need to work on increasing HDL and decreasing TG via a high volume of low intensity exercise and cutting out all fructose from your diet. It's the oxidation of VLDL (the transporter of endogenous TGs) or LDL that likely played a role in your heart attack. So long as you have elevated TGs, you likely have a Pattern B particle size since the synthesis of VLDL in the liver soaks up cholesterol and results in LDLs that contain less cholesterol and are thus smaller in size. These smaller lipoproteins can much more easily become trapped in the arterial linings.

You should also make sure that you're taking vitamin K2 in order to pull any calcium that may be in your arteries out and deposit it in bone. Additionally, you probably should not consume dairy until you do this, as more dietary calcium is working against you. That may have been a factor in your heart attack. As far as the rest of your diet goes, I would increase fat from grass-fed red meat and shoot for a total cholesterol of 200-240.

Good luck.

Edit: That walking would be far more advantageous if it were in the fasted state.

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Thanks Travis. How long fasted would be optimal? Would just before dinner work (about 5 hours after lunch)? – berger6696 Oct 3 2011 at 19:29
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 That would be fine. You lunch is so low in carbohydrates that it wouldn't have much of an effect at all, especially after 5 hours. Just try to log as many miles per day as is practical. The weight lifting seems like it wouldn't help much and possibly be dangerous until things are better under control. – Travis Culp♦ Oct 3 2011 at 19:44
Travis or anyone else still reading, re the walking - how much walking are we talking here? And at what pace? I'm getting up a little early to get some walking in before work (and before breakfast), doing a little on my lunch hour, and some after work. But at 3mph I dont feel like I'm accomplishing much. – berger6696 Oct 11 2011 at 17:38
As many miles as possible at a comfortable pace. Increase volume, not intensity. – Travis Culp♦ Oct 11 2011 at 18:28
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Takotsubo cardiomyopathy --> google it

The condition is transient and presents as a NSTEMI (Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction) heart attack with typical heart attack physical symptoms and a small rise in troponins. Coronaries are usually 100% clean.

Slang name is "Broken Heart Syndrome" because it is sometimes brought on by stress. It causes a ballooning of the apical region of the heart due to a weakening in the muscle of that area of the heart.

More common in women.

Any recent stressful events in your life?

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I cannot recall any stressful events at that time. But it was classified as a NSTEMI. I do have the EKG papers at home and will post any notes from the when I get home. – berger6696 Oct 3 2011 at 20:58
Troponins rise because the ballooning is damaging to the heart. Your cholesterol level was normal and your coronaries were clean...its a good thing they started a statin. – Alex Oct 3 2011 at 21:24
lol...."good thing they started a statin". – JayJay Oct 4 2011 at 0:41
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 I dont think this fits either. Usually seen in post menopuasal women and most have heart disease history – The Quilt Oct 4 2011 at 0:50
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I do recall that I was nearly "couch ridden" for the few days leading up to the event. I am normally energetic but those days I would go home and lay on the couch until bedtime.

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Tells me viral etiology.....get titers! – The Quilt Oct 8 2011 at 14:51
Even with the heart attack symptoms that (and the previous) evening? – berger6696 Oct 8 2011 at 16:39
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Have you been tested for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? It is a common cause of unexplained heart attacks and affecting roughly 1/4 of men it is not rare. You aren't overweight but that's only a risk factor - visit the OSA forums and you'll find plenty of otherwise healthy sufferers, myself included. Some people get daytime tiredness but not all, I think less so at your age. My AHI was 50 and I only discovered that I had it because I was chasing down a mildly elevated serum CO2, which was probably unrelated. My father in law is the same but only discovered it after a heart attack like you, though he's older. Nighttime and morning headaches are one of the hallmark symptoms of sleep apnea. Hyopia leads to CO2 retention, which may not last to the day when your doctor checks it, which causes the headaches. To diagnose it you just get a sleep study, which isn't too bad.

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I seem to sleep fine. Wake up very refreshed, usually before my alarm clock. No headaches except for the one mentioned the night of my MI. – berger6696 Oct 4 2011 at 18:04
You still may not show symptoms. Mention it to your PCP - I'm sure he would agree that this avenue needs to be explored. – balor123 Oct 4 2011 at 19:32
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This is serious stuff. I dont think this is time to go To Paleo diet websites, Have you seen their lipid numbers? Some double yours and more. Hunter-gatherers had low Total cholesterol, low ldl, probably thanks to parasites and infections, since we can't reproduce their lipid numbers today with similar diets.

I would try A diet like that of Furhman for a while until you lowered your numbers. Yes thats a vegetarian protocol, still you can have eggs or fish or bone broth once a week, if you feel the need, because he preaches 90% compliance %10 leeway. He has proven to reduce ldl 33%, without affecting HDL or triglicerides in weeks. WEEKS. Though Id go hard core for a whole, specially after such a scare.

Heres teh link to the study:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11288049

Hope you get better, my best wishes.

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Was kind of surprised to see an email that this question had new answers. Guess this would be a good time to give an update. Haven't checked cholesterol for a while. When I was testing, HDL would not go above mid/high 30's. LDL would move based on how much sat fat I was eating. I just kind of moved on. I still feel great, haven't had any reoccurring episodes. Guess I've just chalked this up to a random blood clot. I did find that I do have a clotting disorder (factor V lieden). So, cholesterol really isn't my main focus anymore. – berger6696 Mar 31 at 16:17
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no damage and no blockage? was it a heart spasm not heart attack? due to low minerals? give the paleo a year, stop checking so often. all good advice above, just stop the testing for a while.

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 It was classified as a NSTEMI. Why should I stop testing? I want to find out what is going on with me and there have been many good test suggestions here that may help figure this out. – berger6696 Oct 4 2011 at 1:35
i think testing every month is too often, every six months is better, – Lisa Oct 8 2011 at 2:30
Every quarter is how i do it – The Quilt Oct 8 2011 at 14:46
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This may be a bit forward-looking, but I think your problem is in your family history, not in traditional risk factors. I recommend Dr. Sinatra, who is somewhat Paleo-friendly:

http://www.drsinatra.com/lower-lpa-with-5-nutrients

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I think Sinatra is a lot like other integrative/functional doctors like Dr. Jack Kruse who is fantastic. With your family history significantly rampant for heart diseease (premature?) Namby Pamby's suggestion is prudent. Others who are great are Dr. Mark Houston MD. Resources: touroinstitute.com/… acamnet.com/houstonf2010metal.pdf guilfordmd.com/id3.html vrp.com/heart-health/… – grace Oct 8 2011 at 8:03
Houston is paleo-friendly BTW. – grace Oct 10 2011 at 13:59
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Apologies in advance for omitting this if its relevant (which I think it may be). On the 3/21/11 lab test I'm showing an Iron reading of 43. This was before I started eating Paleo, so it may have changed by now. Does this help/confirm/change anything???

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You need a ferritin, Tsat%, full thyroid panel, Hgb/Hct, MMA and homocysteine for a full assessment IMHO. So 3/2011 you were still non-paleo eating grains and probably experiencing gut dysbiosis which can lead to B vitamin depletion/malabsorption as well as B-vit associated anemia and/or sometimes iron/blood losses (dep on degree of intestinal permeability). Low thyroid is common w/dysbiosis as well and low thyroid independently is associated with low ferritin. If ferritin and/or Tsat% are high, then the labs may indicate iron overload now w/paleo. If normal, dep on other labs so repeat later – grace Oct 10 2011 at 9:04
Resources for you: aafp.org/afp/2002/0301/p853.html [how to diagnosis -- great review IMHO] – grace Oct 10 2011 at 9:06
More: annals.org/content/101/5/629.abstract [iron depletion in those overloaded makes a big deal! Even increases Testosterone and reverses secondary hypogonadisms, e.g. makes them MEN!!! It is very OXIDATIVE and can trigger Alzheimer's, cancer, autoimmune disorders and oxidative damage to be overloaded w/any excessive metals FYI outside of physiological ranges, see my above comment to Namby] – grace Oct 10 2011 at 9:08
Thanks grace. I'm going to add Homocysteine, CRP-hs, and CWP to my VAP order. Looking to get this done in the next few weeks. Want to get my head around all the suggestions given here to make sure I dont miss anything. – berger6696 Oct 10 2011 at 13:10
What's cwp? Good luck and look forward to hearing about your progress! – grace Oct 10 2011 at 14:00
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There's a book "Don't Die Early" that may interest you. Have you had a heart scan? You may want to take a look at the Track Your plaque forum too (fee based), but read the book first.

If blood sugar is part of the problem, the bernstein diabetes forum is a good resource. Hve you made an post meal blood sugar checks?

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I used to follow Dr Davis a lot. Blood sugar is not a problem for me. I did have a heart scan done a few months ago and my score was zero. As I stated above, I think my issue is (was) clotting but I've made some diet changes (dark chocolate and cinnamon) to take preventative measures. – berger6696 Mar 31 at 16:19
Congrats on the zero heart scan! – NoGlutenEver Apr 2 at 14:37

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