On a recent visit to my PCP – primary care physician – I was informed that my blood reports were in. With a grim expression on her face, she revealed the results of the report… the low-down on the critical elements was laid out first… naturally.
Little did the physician know of my background, especially since I’m a new patient for her… in any case, I’ve often seen that by and large they’re oh so busy that they have little time to remember the numerous patients they encounter everyday. Nor do they have time to learn more about the patient in order to justly evaluate each case and make objective decisions about prescriptions. Anyway, internet-savvy that I believe I am, and secretly proud that I’m wise on medical matters (given that I have been well-endowed with numerous strange ailments and regularly research on these issues incessantly… as also for professional reasons)I had prepared myself for my visit to the doctor’s office.
Most of us are aware of what LDL and HDL stand for, in context of cholesterol types. Well, for the fortunate, who have not needed to learn about these matters, as they read this blog, I’ll add that LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein and (no marks for guessing…) HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein. The good thing would be to have low levels of LDL and higher levels of HDL. The prescribed numbers/benchmarks, I would rather not disclose… it’s no secret, but I’d rather not get into a controversy.
Here’s how my PCP described my cholesterol levels… “the good thing is, you have an HDL level of 44… that means the Happy (HDL) cholesterol level is fine… I accept it. But” and as I mentioned earlier, with a grim expression… “you have an LDL level of 218!!! Do you know what LDL is??? It is the Lousy cholesterol” You’ve got to reduce that first!!! When a patient goes into hospital for angioplasty, angiography, or any heart surgery, the surgery will not begin until the Lousy Cholesterol is down to 70… you hear that… and you have three times that amount in your blood!!!” “I don’t see you as an overweight person. I am shocked. Now, I am going to put you on what is known as Statins. Do not go to the drugstore and buy a generic statin. I am prescribing to you 10 mg daily of this drug… and I will see you again in 6 weeks. At the end of 4 weeks, I need more blood reports done… we will compare the results to these here. Now… get going and get Lipitor… it’s the Lousy Cholesterol Lowering Drug.”
Thank you Doc. Good bye. Despite the bad news about my health, I left with a smile on my face.
Words-n-Motion 