bamboozled

I'm not a conspiracy guy at all but certainly companies make stuff up. The listing says imported from USA and that it has an FDA registration number...but there is no way to check if that number is real, from what I could understand. And, also, having a registration number does not mean it was tested or approved. Only that a registration number was applied for. On the package, it says manufactured and distributed by Maxwell company in Khorat. Which seems to suggest nothing was imported from USA but made in Thailand. I don't know how one could know if a particular whey protein is good or bad for you just from ingesting it. It might look good and taste good but how much protein is really in it? What contaminants might be in it? I'm kind of going down a rabbit hole here and not trying to knock down your recommendation...I bought some, too. Thinking about it just made me realize how much we take for granted, I guess. Where did this info come from that they import 25kg bags and then break it down into smaller batches? Cheers! Bam.

Thanks mstevens! I'm never sure if being close to a cutoff level is cause for concern. Like borderline.....

Hi Sheryl and friends, I got my direct LDL test result and it shows a "score" of 148. That's down from 174 two weeks ago but not sure if that was direct test or not. I have found I can do the calcium scan at Sriphat hospital here for 5k (And Chiang Mai Ram for 7k). Of course, there is a Dr. consultation first. Based on this new number of 148, would your advice be to proceed with the calcium scan? I guess the "risk" is the expense of 5k and whatever radiation from the scans. From what I understand, it would give the best indication of whether or not my LDL is problematic or not. I also got dinged for high testosterone, high cortisol, and low free T3. T4 is on the low side, too. I'm trying to figure out why I am so, so fatigued all the time. As if my fuel tank is on zero. Energy levels like when one is sick with the flu. Just can't muster energy. My TSH level in the past 4 months has gone from 3.9 in August down to 1 two weeks ago and now today up to 2.8. Is this strange to fluctuate so much? I did ask an endocrinologist whom I saw with my test two weeks ago but she did not do any sleuthing or delve any deeper. My HbA1C test was 5.3% so I guess no diabetes. Not sure if it matters that it is kind of close to the "normal" cut-off level of 5.7%. My CBC was all normal. Waiting for my B12 and Vitamin D test results. Thank you.

Hi Jensen, I'm about to purchase some unflavored protein powder and I'm assuming it's the same one you purchase based on your above info. Maxwell brand? From translating the Thai in Goog. translate, it doesn't seem clear to me that it is produced by ALS labs but rather they have reviewed the protein content., supposedly. I don't know ALS labs or what they do or if they produce protein powder. Hmm, does ALS labs even exist or is it made up? It also could be a translation issue. The company appears to be a Thai company situated in Khorat. What the translated Thai text about ALS labs says is this: "Has FDA number 30-1-05363-5-0002 Check protein values from ALS LAB" Anyway, not picking a fight or anything. Just thought the info might be useful. Cheers!

I'm getting a direct LDL test today, among others! I have written a local Chiang Mai hospital that I frequent (Rajavej) to ask about the calcium scan.

Interesting. More fuel on the fire. In the end, we no longer know what the hell we're supposed to eat/not eat.

I'm going to latch on hard to the info I posted last night about high LDL reading being a false signal due to all the good fat one eats (see below). Hey all....I'm cured! I have the plan to follow Sheryl's advice on getting a coronary calcium scan. That seems to be more definitive than an LDL reading. That is, one might have high LDL but no plaque build up in the arteries. In which case, I'd run straight to the bacon aisle...hallelujah. A healthy diet We know that an unhealthy diet can cause high triglycerides, while a healthy diet generally leads to low triglycerides. One interesting note is that sometimes low triglyceride levels can occur with high LDL levels (which often indicate a higher heart disease risk). If low triglyceride levels lower heart disease risk, but high LDL levels increase it, what can cause this inconsistency? There are two types of LDL particles that should be taken into account when calculating heart disease risk: • LDL-A particles are larger, less dense, and lower your risk. • LDL-B particles are smaller, denser, and increase your risk. When you have low triglyceride levels but high LDL levels, it could indicateTrusted Source that you have a diet filled with healthy fats. Healthy fats will not only cause an increase in good cholesterol (HDL) but can also change the type of the LDL particles in the blood. Therefore, those high LDL levels may not actually be a bad thing. Instead, it is more likely that they are LDL particles that have become larger and less dense from the intake of healthy fat. Low triglycerides and high HDL levels in the blood will generally support this idea.

\ I'm on it....look for the "very healthy guy" lurking out front later this afternoon.

Thanks. Google shows some clinic across the road but it didn't seem quite right.

I don't have an unhealthy lifestyle at all "except" for too much booze, generally speaking. But I didn't drink anything for 6 weeks and my LDL went UP, not down. I get a LOT of exercise and eat well, mostly cooking at home...so I know what's in it. And that's veggies, nuts, fruits, salads, fish, yogurt, eggs, olive oil, hardly any processed foods, etc.... I do eat beef and pork that has some fat and some butter, bacon but....screw it. Can't be insane with this stuff. I could be wrong but I don't think my high C is from my diet or lack of exercise. If lifestyle is the problem, Christ, I give up. Nonetheless, my LDL level is showing as high for some reason and has for almost a decade.

Mike, is the Mee Chok clinic you referenced for blood tests on the opposite corner from the main Mee Chok plaza?

I also found this last night in my sleuthing: A healthy diet We know that an unhealthy diet can cause high triglycerides, while a healthy diet generally leads to low triglycerides. One interesting note is that sometimes low triglyceride levels can occur with high LDL levels (which often indicate a higher heart disease risk). If low triglyceride levels lower heart disease risk, but high LDL levels increase it, what can cause this inconsistency? There are two types of LDL particles that should be taken into account when calculating heart disease risk: • LDL-A particles are larger, less dense, and lower your risk. • LDL-B particles are smaller, denser, and increase your risk. When you have low triglyceride levels but high LDL levels, it could indicateTrusted Source that you have a diet filled with healthy fats. Healthy fats will not only cause an increase in good cholesterol (HDL) but can also change the type of the LDL particles in the blood. Therefore, those high LDL levels may not actually be a bad thing. Instead, it is more likely that they are LDL particles that have become larger and less dense from the intake of healthy fat. Low triglycerides and high HDL levels in the blood will generally support this idea.

I'm going to look into that, thank you.

Hi Sheryl, Are those pricey tests to get, the stress test and the artery scan? Seems like it indeed would give a good indicator for taking statins or not. Do you favor one test over the other for my issue? My cholesterol for the last 7 or 8 years, on 4 different tests, has shown LDL always above 220. I don't know if it was indirect or direct. How might I know that? HDL was always higher than normal, as well. Strangely, my past thyroid tests, 3 I think, all showed my TSH over 3 and one I had in August showed 3.92, the highest ever. 2 weeks ago I got another and TSH had dropped to 1. The only life-style change I've made is I haven't been drinking any alcohol 6 weeks prior to that latest test (the one showing TSH dropping to 1). Would that account for such a huge difference? It seems like such a drastic change to me. Hypothyroidism would account for a lot of my symptoms including the high cholesterol, from what I understand. Thanks to Sheryl and to everyone for not dropping the ball on this with the site outage!

I will get some more testing done. I'm not convinced of anything yet with the info I have so far. Yes, the A1C is on the list. Did someone mention a blood testing facility here in Chiang Mai?

...Now I've found it by searching for it with Google. Thanks!

I, too, never understood why it is so hard to find just the whey protein with out the added chemical flavors and sugars. I don't want that stuff or need cookies and cream or vanilla fudge or raspberry lemon tart. What the heck? I'm also not having any luck locating such a product on Lazada. Cheers!

NoDisplay...did you experience any side-effects of note?

Hi Sheryl, Triglyceride is 66. VLDL is 13. I did the full package health checkup at Rajavej in August including an EKG. Not what you intend? The test does indicate, "borderline ECG". No idea what that is. They checked "OK" for heart. I have a BPM of 55. A bit slow. Hb1Ac...that's the type 2 diabetes, right? I asked the doc about getting that test and she said based on my August FBS test (86) there was no need for the Hb1Ac test. Thank you!

Thanks all. A lot of good stuff here and my thoughts are echoed in pretty much all the comments. I have indeed read that they now think diet is much less a cause of high cholesterol. And the negatives on carbs. To this end, I eat less carbs and more full-fat proteins. Who knows...these ideas on how to eat will prob. change yet again as the pendulum swings. So hard to know. I have looked for research debunking the high cholesterol being bad idea but did not find any. Thanks bignok for ur input on that. Still, the consensus in the med community seems to be pretty neg. on high cholesterol. Yes, one doctor a few years back did tell me not to worry about my high total C as my HDL was also high. I'm annoyed that my total C is going UP even after the exercise, no alcohol, and eating what I think is healthy. I have not read that statins lower libido but will check that out. I'd love to just take a little bit everyday, get the benefit, and go on my merry way. But as some of you have pointed out, it's usually never that simple. There are usually side-effect and indeed I do not want to become another supplicant to big Pharma. Any more input, please, bring it on. By the way, the doc did not indicate how much or what I should take. We didn't get that far into the conversation. I was actually there for a thyroid check but got the lipid test at the same time since it was convenient. Cheers!

I'm 55 and my latest total cholesterol is 248. It's been over 220 (at least) for about 7 years (I know from looking at some older test result). LDL is 174 and HDL 78. So they're ALL high: the good, the bad, and the ugly. The Dr., when I asked about statins, said she would recommend it. I'm not super keen on taking a drug every day. Then again, I'm not keen on having a heart attack, either. I'm quite fit and exercise frequently. My blood pressure is fine. I don't smoke. I eat healthy food, very little fried, lots of fruits and veggies. I do eat full fat yogurt and eggs, all sorts of meats (not processed), some cheese, olive oil, etc... Sure, some sweets and baked goods but not regularly. I do drink a fair bit of alcohol but my latest test was after 6 weeks of abstaining and it has gone up since my last test, not down, thus I don't feel that was a big contributing factor. I am feeling a lot of stress and generally that is my personality type. Stress is supposed to increase your cholesterol levels so perhaps that is the root cause. Yes, I'm working on lowering stress. So far, to little avail. Lastly, it could just be my fate/genetics. Other doctors that viewed my test results did not push me to take statins and ultimately it is a personal decision I must make. Any people here have any anecdotes to add based on the above info? My sister who is on them complained of initial achy muscles but that cleared up. Thank you!

Well, TSH was way DOWN from what it had been on my last three tests...down from almost 4 to 1.5 or something. Wacky. And she said no way Type 2 diabetes based on my FBS test. So....fit as a fiddle. I feel...disappointed. Maybe my sensations are all from my stress, ultimately. She did not suggest any other avenues to pursue. Oh well.

Ha! Your story makes me smile. I, too, play internet doctor yet try to be mindful and respectful when putting forth my ideas. I ran through them a bit yesterday and then put myself in her hands. In fact, going off on my thyroid tangent caused me to forget to ask about the diabetes. I would have added that test at the same time. Oh well... I was worried a bit that with the hospital being so crowded she would be rushed. She didn't seem to be, though, thankfully. B12 shots....I give them to myself as I'm deficient (not just mentally). It's simple and cheap. Haven't died or had a limb rot and fall off yet.

Saw Dr. Ampica and gave a blood sample for a new thyroid test. I have had 3 in the past 3 years and noticed my TSH level has been going up, even though not officially over the limit, but perhaps we're onto something. I go back tomorrow for the results. I forgot to mention the diabetes idea to her but will bring it up tomorrow. The hospital was pretty crowded but certainly much better organized than my previous experiences in the building on Suthep Rd. Dr. Ampica has a calming presence.

They ended up giving me an appointment with Dr. Ampica this coming Sunday!