Gary, having gone grain free (no bread, beer, alcohol, flour, etc) it's hard. But I feel it is more natural. The grains we eat never existed before we tampered with them.

And if the pain is not severe enough. Then who cares. A quick side test you can do, is to determine if it is Inflammation related... Have them give you a short term prescription for Prednisone (A steroid), as if you had gout. You take it for about 5 days. If that makes the pain go away, then it IS CAUSED by inflammation. Which would confirm (to me), that it is something in your diet. And maybe worth doing a dietary change for a couple of weeks to see if you can replicate the results on a meat+water+salt (a clean elimination diet)... But MANY people cannot commit to it. It's REALLY hard at first, once you get there and feel better, going back to your old ways are just too obviously bad for you. That's where I am at!

Arthritis, They seem to call all joint pain arthritis yet he can't identify through blood tests if or what type I might have. If by grains you mean alcohol based ones I do drink a couple beers typically but if I drink liquor it is only ever tequila. Vegetables are plentiful in my diet as are red meats, fish, chicken and eggs. Weaning myself off any of this would be a rather daunting task I am not sure I am willing to do. This thought of excessive iron might be a key factor and I will know in a couple days. Once again however, there is a pill for that and once again I don't want any more of their freaking pills.

Gary if you have joint pain and arthritis... Consider dietary adjustments. Removing grains and vegetables for a while and see if you notice an improvement. Usually 14-28 days does it. Mine was a little sooner.

I made my final goal, and am working on maintenance. I am doing all of my tests this year, and so far, everything is checking out fine.

Back to diet. I am still amazed how many people feel better without the grains. For me, I tested Vodka 2 weeks ago. Joints swelled up. Not horribly, but harder to close my hands within 30 minutes of the first shot. Worse after the second shot.

Thanks for remembering CK. I did have my tests and everything but one proved to be either negative or "Normal". I go again tomorrow morning for a follow up as he feels, his words, I have too much blood and wants to do a test for iron in my blood.
As I stated earlier I had already reduced the statin and BP medications in half 3 weeks before the initial blood draw and all was within what he thinks are normal limits. The over abundance of iron could be a cause for the joint pain I live with but I was surprised to hear I had no tick born disease as I live where Lyme is prevalent and my dog did have Anaplasmosis. Both her and I have had numerous tick bites as we are quite active with hunting, fishing, hiking and gardening. The term Arthritis seems to be a generic one to describe most joint pains in seniors but there sure could be other underlying causes and a mis diagnosis.

There is a reason to cheat a test. When you believe the test is wrong, or will be used against you (like forcing a statin down your throat).

There is ZERO evidence that High LDL is causal in first heart attacks. In fact, most studies show that 50% of the people have High Cholesterol and 50% have lower cholesterol. Their answer: Lower the definition of High.

Mine: Prove Cholesterol is Causative.

BTW, How did your tests go?

ok guys! I have the most thorough Endocrinologist in Texas! Just had five test tubes of blood work. Annual thing. His nurse in reporting stated that I should recall he only calls if something he doesn't like is in your test. She commented my cholesterol was suspicious? He didn't call me! I do not take Statin drugs ever!

In this case, the FDA Approval Testing clearly showed a 10% INCREASE in diabetes for those taking statins, vs those in a control group!

Last night I pulled a 1-pound chunk of yellowfin tuna from my last trip. Sliced it into raw strips, piled it on a thin bed of rice, drizzled a little Sriracha and soy sauce and dug in with my favorite IPA. It's so delicious and healthy that I'm surprised it's not illegal...

It's hard to beat a good fillet mignon, I admit. In fact...I remember when and where I was (3 years ago) when I ate my last one.

I used to bbq tri-tip regularly. That was a habit from my college days when I attended school where the cut had been established. Tri-tip can be quite nice on the barby...

Look at the fact that the incidences of diabetes are clearly on the rise. Then, look at what we American's are doing to our bodies more and more...and, well...you know the rest, I'm sure. Where there's causation there is also correlation. Nowadays people are so stupid they point at the correlation and say, "there's only correlation!" and that's the end of the discussion. In short...buyer beware. Or...be very aware...

Stormi, you are wise...
I watched them chemically lobotomize my mother, and learned that doctors "practice" medicine on the unsuspecting. NOTHING beats are ER Rooms and Field medics. But don't see them for health!

Yep, the SIMPLE fact that they DO NOT have to report on TV or ads, using the SAME % (35% reduction in heart attacks and only a 10% risk in diabetes... Sounds great. But if they reported the TRUTH. 100 people will get diabetes for EVERY heart attack they prevent! And only 1 in 1,000 will have the heart attack prevention. Whereas 100 in 1,000 will get diabetes).

instead they mumble along about "some patients".

My brother was started on a statin, had muscle wasting, muscle pain, etc (after his heart attack). I FORCED him to read the "insert", he noticed that ALL of his symptoms were listed. He confronted his doctor asking for EACH condition, if the statin causes this... And the doctor said NO for every symptom.

Then mark broke out the paperwork, where it was all highlighted.

The doctors said "Who reads that? Nobody does. It's required to be there for legal reasons!"

OMG: My brother flew down, saw my doctor, got off of his heart meds, and has recovered his heart through proper HIIT exercise. It took a few years, but he is better for it!

I remember when the statin was introduced, and doctors were pushing it like crazy. Of course, they got trips and perks. Mine is under 200, with excellent HDL, put doc started telling me it needed to be under 100! I knew otherwise. He said he took it,but added in facthe got the muscle wasting disease like it was nothing. I told him the body needs cholesterol. He said it could not be too low, no such thing. I said yes, it can cause a stroke if it is too low. We have agreed to disagree! Notice how BP acceptable figures have increasingly dropped, but BP meds does not CURE the issue. Now it is sugar treatment with more and more drugs being pushed. Ever iice the drug side effects are worse than the disease?

....this is promoted by the pharma industry...it is not true...inflammation is the culprit...take magnesium...you need cholesterol....low cholesterol is dangerous...

Before any discussion, one should find out what cholesterol is and its many functions in animal cells are. This article gives just about all that one needs to know about it. Measurement in the blood is not the measurement of the amount of cholesterol but rather of the lipoprotein which contains cholesterol and other insoluable organic lipid molecules.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholest...

Cheating a test when the test is all about your own health is a foolish thing to do. We have a very standard ritual of sorts every day. I have a beer with my dinner and a cocktail after the dishes are done while we watch a little TV. Been doing this since I retired 20 years ago so it is what it is and IMO makes no sense to change for the test. I always do fast for 12 hours prior to the blood draw and certainly will this time.

Gary, Yes... If you want the truth.
In my case, I accidentally at like 2-3lbs of bacon the day before and 3 days before my blood work, not knowing about the Feldman protocol. (I fasted the middle day). Had I not fasted the middle day, I would have probably lowered my cholesterol more. BTW, my total Cholesterol dropped over 50 points. BECAUSE of eating excess fats in that 72hr window...

Now, if I needed to have a lowered cholesterol for work... I would know what to do to lower it. Which is cheating the test. But it points out that the test does not work.

So, about having alcohol the night before... If you only drink one day a week, then my answer is NO I would not drink the night before my blood work, as it represents 1/7th of your life and probably has other negative marker results. Worse, it could mask something else... Not worth it.

In fact, one of the reasons they ask you to fast for 12hrs before your bloodwork is to normalize it.
What I have learned is the longer I fast, the better my bloodwork!

HTH!

How Big Government Backed Bad Science Made Americans Fat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEc-x...
This video is more about obesity, but has a good explanation of suppression of research results which did not conform to the "accepted wisdom" in the dietary guidelines (from about 7min)

Cholesterol is the body's lubricant: you need a certain amount for proper function. Just like everything else: too much or too little and things start breaking.

My wife has always had cholesterol levels above 260, but her LDL levels are below the low "normal" and her HDL levels are well above the high "normal." Her doctors are stumped, but all have told her not to try to reduce her cholesterol, since she has good cholesterol levels that other people would love to have. Each of us is as different as our fingerprints, which is why doctors that use genetic mapping to identify the right treatments are on the right track.

Run, don't walk, to your library and checkout this book. Healing is voltage: the handbook. By Jerry Tennant. Read chapter 7. Thank you Captain K for opening discussion on this critical topic.

The only thing better than butter is...more butter!

Thanks CaptainKirk, Noted! My plan is to simply go as I am and change absolutely nothing in my diet or life style prior to the blood draw because I believe any changes could skew the test results. If I normally have a beer or cocktail the night before or eat a nice steak dinner with them so be it. Is this the right attitude?

Same here.

I love a nice filet mignon with blue cheese, medium rare, please.

It used to be that I ate more fish than I do now, which is practically nothing.

Once in a blue moon I have salmon or venture to sauté Petrale sole in lemon with capers. I love trout in a restaurant but I could not make it to taste the same when I do it myself. I should eat more.

I used to believe this, and in general, still do.
But based on @KetoDave and the Feldman protocol, we are realizing that even Cholesterol can be completely manipulated based on the last 72 hours of your diet. (Note: MORONS who avoid fats for a few days before their blood work, actually get a HIGHER Cholesterol reading, as the liver picks up the slack. LOL).

In general, realize that INFLAMMATION and CALCIFICATION are the real problems. Blaming Cholesterol for PLAQUE is like blaming bricks for inner cities!

Gary,
I would make sure to have the following tested. (Do not use these results to get Life Insurance, you can be turned down for knowing too much).

1) hsCRP and Homocystene -> Inflammation markers
2) A1C -> 90 day moving average of your blood glucose. Indicates pre-diabetes/diabetes, or healthy pretty clearly
[Being on a statin significantly increases your risk of getting diabetes, I think 10% get it]
3) Lipid Profile (HDL,LDL) using NMR for the full detail of the SIZE of the lipo-proteins
4) Full Liver and Kidney Panel (common)
5) Pay the $120 and have a CAC (Calcium Score). Get the ACTUAL odds of a heart attack in the next 10 years!
[Had you done this before, you might have avoided the stent]

This is in addition to whatever tests he runs. I assume he is checking your Thyroid levels, Triglycerides, etc. etc.