Blood Cholesterol Test

huahindolly · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:59 pm Post subject: Blood Cholesterol Test

I'm wondering if they use a different numerical scale for cholesterol readings here in Thailand compared to the U.S.

Both my husband and I had our blood tested at the Polyclinic, and each of our readings was about 100 points lower! Mind you, we don't eat as much cheese and butter, and we eat a lot more fruit than we did in the U.S., but 100 points in three months is one for the medical journals.

Has anybody had a similar experience? Any reason why the readings would be so different?

HHD

Hobiecat · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:41 pm Post subject:

My folks were here last year. My mother having a blood sugar problem in addition to high colesterol. After eating a steady diet of Thai food for six weeks they had dropped by a huge amount. She had also lost five pounds.

She joking said she'll be back next year to eat herself healthy and thin.
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expatsally · Amateur Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 39 Location: mars

just out of couriosity, what were your scores U.S. vs. Thailand?

DawnHRD · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 6:49 am Post subject:

huahindolly · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:36 am Post subject: Blood Cholesterol Readings

expatsally -

Both of our U.S. readings were around 250; here, they're around 150. Sounds like what Dawn said about blood sugar - must be a different scale, eh?

HHD

Big Boy · Legend Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 2927 Location: UK

I can confirm what Dawn says about the Thai food. I always know that I'm to bet a good telling off following the first blood test after visiting Thailand.

The problem is that when on holiday I eat out most of the time. For home cooking, my wife always uses a sugar free substitute. When on holiday we always take a good supply. Does anybody know if you can buy the sugar free sweetener in Thailand?

Idea

Of course

my high sugar levels have nothing to do with the additional beer intake Embarassed

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ricardo · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:31 pm Post subject:

Hua Hin Dolly,

Do you know what type of cholesterol test you were given as there are different scales for different types. Normally total cholesterol and LDL (Bad Cholesterol) are what we should monitor.

Total Cholesterol OK <200 Border High 200 - 239 High >240

LDL (Bad Cholesterol) OK <130 Border High 130 - 159 High >160

In the U.S your readings would have referred to your Total Cholesterol and your results in Hiua Hin probably refer to LDL Cholesterol.

I had a test last year in Hua Hin that had low readings 165 so I was very surprised to be told by the Dr that I had high cholesterol.
It was only after checking online that I discovered there were different types.

PJG · Specialist Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 167

BB,

As far as I know the answer is no. I always have to carry multi Jars of Tesco's or Sainsbury's finest Low Cal Sweetener from Uk for the wife and family.

Hobiecat · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:58 am Post subject:

Hobiecat · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 3:03 am Post subject:

Big Boy · Legend Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 2927 Location: UK

DawnHRD · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:56 am Post subject:

You can actually buy jars of something called Lite Sugar here. It's sugar mixed with sweetener, so it still tastes like sugar (no aftertaste), but you use a lot less of it to get the same level of sweetness. That's available in jars (as mentioned) & individual sachets. No good for diabetics, but useful if you just want to cut your sugar intake.
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