Abnormal Bloodwork??

I suggest another doctor.

I would also suggest that you file a report with your local agency that
governs the medical license of your doctor.

The treatment you were given is quite unprofessional.

JIM

carrie cormac said:

Hi folks,

This is my first post, but I've been lurking for several weeks. I've read
discussions about blood sugar, etc., and I am hoping someone has some
advice. I have been doing Atkins for five weeks, and have lost 8 pounds. I
feel great, love the diet, yada yada yada. I'm 34, female, 5'5, and have
gone from 164 to 156 pounds. I exercise and am in great health otherwise
(so I thought).

I mentioned to my doctor in my appointment last week that I was doing Atkins
and she gave me a worried look, and wanted to do blood work. This morning I
got a frantic call from a woman in the doctor's office telling me that my
blood results were "very abnormal" and the doc says I should quit Atkins
immediately. She said I have low sodium, low CO2, low glucose, and low
blood urea nitrogen, although she couldn't tell me what the implications
were. She said the doctor says to quit Atkins now because I am damaging my
kidneys.

Needless to say I sat there freaking out, so I called back and got the
actual lab results faxed to me. They are not *that* low - but 4 of the 9
things tested for are below the normal range.

Sodium: 134 mEg/L (Normal is 136-145 mEg/L)
CO2: 19 mEg/L (Normal is 22-31 mEg/L)
Glucose: 53 mg/dL (Normal is 64-110 mg/dL)
Blood Urea Nitrogen: 6 mg/dL (Normal is 7-18 mg/dL)

Are these normal drops for someone doing the Atkins diet - IOW, is this just
from being in a state of ketosis? Should I be worried, and has anyone else
been told their blood is out of whack? The day I took the test (at 5:00 pm)
I had been sick for a few days (hence the doctor's visit), had not had much
of an appetite, and taking allergy medicine. Should I demand a retest? I
don't think I can convince her of the benefits of low carb, but maybe I can
convince her I won't keel over dead tomorrow from it, which is the
implication her assistant left me with.

I have gotten a lot from just reading this forum, just hoping someone who
knows a little bit about blood work can give me some advice or even a "me
too." I really don't want to quit the diet because I love it, I feel great
on it, and I'm willing to modify if I need to. Thanks in advance.

miss carrie

--
................................

Keepsake gift for young girls.
Unique and personal one-of-a-kind.
Builds strong minds 12 ways.
Guaranteed satisfaction
- courteous money back
- keep bonus gifts

http://www.alicebook.com

On Tue, 3 Aug 2004 09:16:09 -0500, carrie cormac <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Hi folks,

This is my first post, but I've been lurking for several weeks. I've
read
discussions about blood sugar, etc., and I am hoping someone has some
advice. I have been doing Atkins for five weeks, and have lost 8
pounds. I
feel great, love the diet, yada yada yada. I'm 34, female, 5'5, and have
gone from 164 to 156 pounds. I exercise and am in great health otherwise
(so I thought).

I mentioned to my doctor in my appointment last week that I was doing
Atkins
and she gave me a worried look, and wanted to do blood work. This
morning I
got a frantic call from a woman in the doctor's office telling me that my
blood results were "very abnormal" and the doc says I should quit Atkins
immediately. She said I have low sodium, low CO2, low glucose, and low
blood urea nitrogen, although she couldn't tell me what the implications
were. She said the doctor says to quit Atkins now because I am damaging
my
kidneys.

Needless to say I sat there freaking out, so I called back and got the
actual lab results faxed to me. They are not *that* low - but 4 of the 9
things tested for are below the normal range.

Sodium: 134 mEg/L (Normal is 136-145 mEg/L)
CO2: 19 mEg/L (Normal is 22-31 mEg/L)
Glucose: 53 mg/dL (Normal is 64-110 mg/dL)
Blood Urea Nitrogen: 6 mg/dL (Normal is 7-18 mg/dL)

Are these normal drops for someone doing the Atkins diet - IOW, is this
just
from being in a state of ketosis? Should I be worried, and has anyone
else
been told their blood is out of whack? The day I took the test (at 5:00
pm)
I had been sick for a few days (hence the doctor's visit), had not had
much
of an appetite, and taking allergy medicine. Should I demand a
retest? I
don't think I can convince her of the benefits of low carb, but maybe I
can
convince her I won't keel over dead tomorrow from it, which is the
implication her assistant left me with.

I have gotten a lot from just reading this forum, just hoping someone who
knows a little bit about blood work can give me some advice or even a "me
too." I really don't want to quit the diet because I love it, I feel
great
on it, and I'm willing to modify if I need to. Thanks in advance.

miss carrie

Personally, I'd retest in a few months. The only thing I can see that's
strange is your blood glucose is low -- how did you get it so low? It
took me a year of low carbing to get mine under 100. But if you were
sick, then the test is really testing you when sick. Also, I'd seriously
consider getting another doctor: there's no way that 5 weeks of any diet
is going to kill your kidneys.

--
Bob in CT
Remove ".x" to reply

"carrie cormac" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi folks,

This is my first post, but I've been lurking for several weeks. I've read
discussions about blood sugar, etc., and I am hoping someone has some
advice. I have been doing Atkins for five weeks, and have lost 8 pounds.

I

Quoted message said:

feel great, love the diet, yada yada yada. I'm 34, female, 5'5, and have
gone from 164 to 156 pounds. I exercise and am in great health otherwise
(so I thought).

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Sodium: 134 mEg/L (Normal is 136-145 mEg/L)
CO2: 19 mEg/L (Normal is 22-31 mEg/L)

Those are truly concerning. Make sure that you are taking a good quality
multi-vitamin and mineral religiously, and getting at least 3500mg of
potassium per day.

Quoted message said:

Glucose: 53 mg/dL (Normal is 64-110 mg/dL)

Is a bit low, but if you don't feel bad or suffer low blood sugar symptoms,
I don't think I'd worry about it.

Quoted message said:

Blood Urea Nitrogen: 6 mg/dL (Normal is 7-18 mg/dL)

HIGH values of BUN indicate kidney problems, not low.

Peace,
Pen

Penelope Baker said:

"carrie cormac" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi folks,

This is my first post, but I've been lurking for several weeks. I've
read
discussions about blood sugar, etc., and I am hoping someone has some
advice. I have been doing Atkins for five weeks, and have lost 8
pounds.

I

Quoted message said:

feel great, love the diet, yada yada yada. I'm 34, female, 5'5, and
have
gone from 164 to 156 pounds. I exercise and am in great health
otherwise
(so I thought).

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Sodium: 134 mEg/L (Normal is 136-145 mEg/L)
CO2: 19 mEg/L (Normal is 22-31 mEg/L)

Those are truly concerning. Make sure that you are taking a good quality
multi-vitamin and mineral religiously, and getting at least 3500mg of
potassium per day.

You have to include in the fact, though, that she was sick. So, even if
these are bad for normal folk, they might not mean anything at all for
sick folk.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Glucose: 53 mg/dL (Normal is 64-110 mg/dL)

Is a bit low, but if you don't feel bad or suffer low blood sugar
symptoms,
I don't think I'd worry about it.

Quoted message said:

Blood Urea Nitrogen: 6 mg/dL (Normal is 7-18 mg/dL)

HIGH values of BUN indicate kidney problems, not low.

Peace,
Pen

--
Bob in CT
Remove ".x" to reply

"Bob in CT" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Tue, 3 Aug 2004 09:16:09 -0500, carrie cormac <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Hi folks,

This is my first post, but I've been lurking for several weeks. I've
read
discussions about blood sugar, etc., and I am hoping someone has some
advice. I have been doing Atkins for five weeks, and have lost 8
pounds. I
feel great, love the diet, yada yada yada. I'm 34, female, 5'5, and

have

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

gone from 164 to 156 pounds. I exercise and am in great health

otherwise

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

(so I thought).

I mentioned to my doctor in my appointment last week that I was doing
Atkins
and she gave me a worried look, and wanted to do blood work. This
morning I
got a frantic call from a woman in the doctor's office telling me that

my

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

blood results were "very abnormal" and the doc says I should quit Atkins
immediately. She said I have low sodium, low CO2, low glucose, and low
blood urea nitrogen, although she couldn't tell me what the implications
were. She said the doctor says to quit Atkins now because I am damaging
my
kidneys.

Needless to say I sat there freaking out, so I called back and got the
actual lab results faxed to me. They are not *that* low - but 4 of the

9

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

things tested for are below the normal range.

Sodium: 134 mEg/L (Normal is 136-145 mEg/L)
CO2: 19 mEg/L (Normal is 22-31 mEg/L)
Glucose: 53 mg/dL (Normal is 64-110 mg/dL)
Blood Urea Nitrogen: 6 mg/dL (Normal is 7-18 mg/dL)

Are these normal drops for someone doing the Atkins diet - IOW, is this
just
from being in a state of ketosis? Should I be worried, and has anyone
else
been told their blood is out of whack? The day I took the test (at 5:00
pm)
I had been sick for a few days (hence the doctor's visit), had not had
much
of an appetite, and taking allergy medicine. Should I demand a
retest? I
don't think I can convince her of the benefits of low carb, but maybe I
can
convince her I won't keel over dead tomorrow from it, which is the
implication her assistant left me with.

I have gotten a lot from just reading this forum, just hoping someone

who

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

knows a little bit about blood work can give me some advice or even a

"me

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

too." I really don't want to quit the diet because I love it, I feel
great
on it, and I'm willing to modify if I need to. Thanks in advance.

miss carrie

Personally, I'd retest in a few months. The only thing I can see that's
strange is your blood glucose is low -- how did you get it so low? It
took me a year of low carbing to get mine under 100. But if you were
sick, then the test is really testing you when sick. Also, I'd seriously
consider getting another doctor: there's no way that 5 weeks of any diet
is going to kill your kidneys.

--
Bob in CT
Remove ".x" to reply

Thanks for the reply. I have no idea why my blood glucose is so low, the
results I received also have my results from a blood test taken back in
November, 2002, and it was 91 mg/dL then. My other numbers were all within
the normal range then.

I really like my doctor - I've been going to her for 8 years and would like
to stay with her. I don't want to go against doctor's orders, but I feel
like it wasn't fair to give me a "pop" blood test when I'm sick and then
turn around and condemn the diet, which feels healthier to me. Honestly, I
thought I would get a "That's wonderful!" from her. The woman in her
office did ask me how much weight I lost and when I told her 8 pounds I
swear I heard a faint "tsk." Some people won't accept it no matter what.

carrie

"Penelope Baker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"carrie cormac" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi folks,

This is my first post, but I've been lurking for several weeks. I've

read

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

discussions about blood sugar, etc., and I am hoping someone has some
advice. I have been doing Atkins for five weeks, and have lost 8

pounds.

Quoted message said:

I

Quoted message said:

feel great, love the diet, yada yada yada. I'm 34, female, 5'5, and

have

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

gone from 164 to 156 pounds. I exercise and am in great health

otherwise

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

(so I thought).

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Sodium: 134 mEg/L (Normal is 136-145 mEg/L)
CO2: 19 mEg/L (Normal is 22-31 mEg/L)

Those are truly concerning. Make sure that you are taking a good quality
multi-vitamin and mineral religiously, and getting at least 3500mg of
potassium per day.

Quoted message said:

Glucose: 53 mg/dL (Normal is 64-110 mg/dL)

Is a bit low, but if you don't feel bad or suffer low blood sugar

symptoms,

Quoted message said:

I don't think I'd worry about it.

Quoted message said:

Blood Urea Nitrogen: 6 mg/dL (Normal is 7-18 mg/dL)

HIGH values of BUN indicate kidney problems, not low.

Peace,
Pen

Pen, thanks so much for the reply. I've been forgetting the multi-vitamin
some days. I'll check the potassium levels and make sure it's high enough.
I don't feel like I have low blood sugar, although I did feel like ass that
day. I think I'm going to ask for another test in a couple of weeks. Take
my vitamins, add some more carbs and try again.

carrie

Quoted message said:

Pen, thanks so much for the reply. I've been forgetting the multi-vitamin
some days. I'll check the potassium levels and make sure it's high

enough.

Quoted message said:

I don't feel like I have low blood sugar, although I did feel like ass

that

Quoted message said:

day. I think I'm going to ask for another test in a couple of weeks.

Take

Quoted message said:

my vitamins, add some more carbs and try again.

I see nothing to suggest you should add carbs.

Peace,
Pen

My doctor is skeptical, too, about low carb, she is big on fruit. However,
when I first started going to her several years ago I made it clear that I
didn't much like doctors and while I was willing to listen to her advice I
was not going to "follow orders" but would make my own decisions. I have
declined to have a lot of tests she has recommended and may ultimately die
sooner because of it, but it's my choice and I am willing to accept those
consequences. One reason I chose a woman doctor was because I find them
generally a little less dictatorial than men. This may be changing with the
younger generation, my experience with male doctors was a number of years
ago.

She was pleased with my weight loss this year in spite of her reservations
about low carb.

In news:[email hidden],
carrie cormac <[email hidden]> stated

|
| Thanks for the reply. I have no idea why my blood glucose is so low,
| the results I received also have my results from a blood test taken
| back in November, 2002, and it was 91 mg/dL then. My other numbers
| were all within the normal range then.
|
| I really like my doctor - I've been going to her for 8 years and
| would like to stay with her. I don't want to go against doctor's
| orders, but I feel like it wasn't fair to give me a "pop" blood test
| when I'm sick and then turn around and condemn the diet, which feels
| healthier to me. Honestly, I thought I would get a "That's
| wonderful!" from her. The woman in her office did ask me how much
| weight I lost and when I told her 8 pounds I swear I heard a faint
| "tsk." Some people won't accept it no matter what.
|
| carrie

Ignoramus7404 said:

In article said:

I suggest another doctor.

I would also suggest that you file a report with your local agency that
governs the medical license of your doctor.

The treatment you were given is quite unprofessional.

What makes you think so?

i

Why should your question be considered useful?

j

--
................................

Keepsake gift for young girls.
Unique and personal one-of-a-kind.
Builds strong minds 12 ways.
Guaranteed satisfaction
- courteous money back
- keep bonus gifts

http://www.alicebook.com

Ignoramus7404 said:

In article said:

I suggest another doctor.

I would also suggest that you file a report with your local agency that
governs the medical license of your doctor.

The treatment you were given is quite unprofessional.

What makes you think so?

i

Carrie Cormac Wrote......

I really like my doctor - I've been going to her for 8 years and would like
to stay with her. I don't want to go against doctor's orders, but I feel
like it wasn't fair to give me a "pop" blood test when I'm sick and then
turn around and condemn the diet, which feels healthier to me. Honestly, I
thought I would get a "That's wonderful!" from her. The woman in her
office did ask me how much weight I lost and when I told her 8 pounds I
swear I heard a faint "tsk." Some people won't accept it no matter what.

If you need another opinion besides that of the original poster, some
can be gotten.

j
--
................................

Keepsake gift for young girls.
Unique and personal one-of-a-kind.
Builds strong minds 12 ways.
Guaranteed satisfaction
- courteous money back
- keep bonus gifts

http://www.alicebook.com

Quoted message said:

"FOB" [email hidden]

Quoted message said:

My doctor is skeptical, too, about low carb, she is big on fruit.

Mine is similar. When I visited her in the spring, I didn't say anything about
low-carb, I simply said I'd quit eating sugar and white flour. She seemed a
bit skeptical and asked me what I'd had for breakfast. When I replied "flax
flakes and skim milk" she smiled really big and moved on. The big smile is
what got me. That and the fact that she never before asked me what I'd had for
breakfast.

However,

Quoted message said:

when I first started going to her several years ago I made it clear that I
didn't much like doctors and while I was willing to listen to her advice I
was not going to "follow orders" but would make my own decisions. I have
declined to have a lot of tests she has recommended and may ultimately die
sooner because of it, but it's my choice and I am willing to accept those
consequences.

Eh, some doctors are just test-happy. Mine is really curious, which I think is
a great trait in a doctor, but it also means she wants all the information she
can get. If she could have a molecular profile of each of her patients, she'd
be thrilled, I'm convinced. And I don't have the time or patience for that. I
make her make a case for every *new* test she wants. Sometimes she convinces
me, sometimes she doesn't.

Daria
166/under 145/under 145
sugar-free since 2/1/04
low-carb since 2/17/04

"jbuch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ignoramus7404 said:

In article said:

I suggest another doctor.

I would also suggest that you file a report with your local agency that
governs the medical license of your doctor.

The treatment you were given is quite unprofessional.

What makes you think so?

i

Why should your question be considered useful?

j

Hey j,

lighten up. If you don't have any specialized knowledge or informed
opinions to contribute, just say so. I happen to agree with your assertion
considering the 2nd opinion and the lack of professionalism but feel that
reporting it is a bit alarmist.

Ig was only trying to learn more. If that threatens you, unplug your
computer. I couldn't care less if you "consider" my comments "useful".

Loser

carrie cormac wrote:
:: "Penelope Baker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
:: news:[email hidden]...
::: "carrie cormac" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
::: news:[email hidden]...
:::: Hi folks,
::::
:::: This is my first post, but I've been lurking for several weeks.
:::: I've read discussions about blood sugar, etc., and I am hoping
:::: someone has some advice. I have been doing Atkins for five weeks,
:::: and have lost 8 pounds. I feel great, love the diet, yada yada
:::: yada. I'm 34, female, 5'5, and have gone from 164 to 156 pounds.
:::: I exercise and am in great health otherwise (so I thought).
::::
::: <snip>
:::
:::: Sodium: 134 mEg/L (Normal is 136-145 mEg/L)
:::: CO2: 19 mEg/L (Normal is 22-31 mEg/L)
:::
::: Those are truly concerning. Make sure that you are taking a good
::: quality multi-vitamin and mineral religiously, and getting at least
::: 3500mg of potassium per day.
:::
:::: Glucose: 53 mg/dL (Normal is 64-110 mg/dL)
:::
::: Is a bit low, but if you don't feel bad or suffer low blood sugar
::: symptoms, I don't think I'd worry about it.
:::
:::: Blood Urea Nitrogen: 6 mg/dL (Normal is 7-18 mg/dL)
:::
::: HIGH values of BUN indicate kidney problems, not low.
:::
::: Peace,
::: Pen
:::
::
:: Pen, thanks so much for the reply. I've been forgetting the
:: multi-vitamin some days. I'll check the potassium levels and make
:: sure it's high enough. I don't feel like I have low blood sugar,
:: although I did feel like ass that day. I think I'm going to ask for
:: another test in a couple of weeks. Take my vitamins, add some more
:: carbs and try again.

Carrie -- keep in mind that some people just have natually low BG levels.
Unless you're feeling really bad and/or unusal, I would not worry about it.
You might want to purchase a BG meter and start testing just to see where
your BG levels run. It will give you a baseline.

Otherwise, I'd give things more time....5 weeks - you body might still be
adapting to the LC WOE. As long as you're eating your veggies and taking a
multivitamin, I'd not worry.

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Hi folks,

This is my first post, but I've been lurking for several weeks. I've read

Hi Carrie, welcome to the group!

--
Saffire
205/149/125 - 5'1.5"
Atkins since 6/14/03
Progress photo: http://photos.yahoo.com/saffire333

"Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Carrie -- keep in mind that some people just have natually low BG levels.
Unless you're feeling really bad and/or unusal, I would not worry about

it.

Quoted message said:

You might want to purchase a BG meter and start testing just to see where
your BG levels run. It will give you a baseline.

Otherwise, I'd give things more time....5 weeks - you body might still be
adapting to the LC WOE. As long as you're eating your veggies and taking

a

Quoted message said:

multivitamin, I'd not worry.

Thanks much - I don't know the first thing about blood glucose levels. I'm
just really glad to have people respond and to reassure me that I'm probably
not going to wake up tomorrow with blood coming out of my eyes or anything.
🙂 I really don't like getting calls at work telling me I'm basically a
ticking timebomb. It's like those awful teasers they have on the 10:00
o'clock news, "Something you're doing right now could be killing you! We'll
tell you more after the weather." grr.

miss carrie

"FOB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My doctor is skeptical, too, about low carb, she is big on fruit.

However,

Quoted message said:

when I first started going to her several years ago I made it clear that I
didn't much like doctors and while I was willing to listen to her advice I
was not going to "follow orders" but would make my own decisions. I have
declined to have a lot of tests she has recommended and may ultimately die
sooner because of it, but it's my choice and I am willing to accept those
consequences. One reason I chose a woman doctor was because I find them
generally a little less dictatorial than men. This may be changing with

the

Quoted message said:

younger generation, my experience with male doctors was a number of years
ago.

She was pleased with my weight loss this year in spite of her reservations
about low carb.

My doc also mentioned the fruit as a reason to steer clear of Atkins. I
didn't want to tell her I never ate fruit anyway! Congrats on the weight
loss.

miss carrie

On Tue, 3 Aug 2004 14:07:40 -0500, carrie cormac <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

"FOB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My doctor is skeptical, too, about low carb, she is big on fruit.

However,

Quoted message said:

when I first started going to her several years ago I made it clear
that I
didn't much like doctors and while I was willing to listen to her
advice I
was not going to "follow orders" but would make my own decisions. I
have
declined to have a lot of tests she has recommended and may ultimately
die
sooner because of it, but it's my choice and I am willing to accept
those
consequences. One reason I chose a woman doctor was because I find them
generally a little less dictatorial than men. This may be changing with

the

Quoted message said:

younger generation, my experience with male doctors was a number of
years
ago.

She was pleased with my weight loss this year in spite of her
reservations
about low carb.

My doc also mentioned the fruit as a reason to steer clear of Atkins. I
didn't want to tell her I never ate fruit anyway! Congrats on the weight
loss.

miss carrie

I still eat fruit. It's low carb, not no carb. However, I only eat
berries for most times and eat other fruits sparingly and mainly to give
me extra carbs for biking.

--
Bob in CT
Remove ".x" to reply

Neither did I!

In news:[email hidden],
carrie cormac <[email hidden]> stated
|
| My doc also mentioned the fruit as a reason to steer clear of Atkins.
| I didn't want to tell her I never ate fruit anyway! Congrats on the
| weight loss.
|
| miss carrie

I've been eating strawberries but only about 3-4 a day. Once in a while
some frozen triple berry blend. One of the assumptions people make when you
say you are on any kind of eating program is that you were eating a "healthy
diet" to begin with. Of course, that isn't true for the majority of the
population regardless of what you think a healthy diet is.

In news:[email hidden],
Bob in CT <[email hidden]> stated
|
| I still eat fruit. It's low carb, not no carb. However, I only eat
| berries for most times and eat other fruits sparingly and mainly to
| give me extra carbs for biking.
|
| --
| Bob in CT
| Remove ".x" to reply