I didn’t experience this on I&V but can’t be sure if O could be implicated.
Just a shot in the dark but you haven’t taken steroids recently by any chance? A course of prednisolone has predictably caused my Hba1c to rise a little but also a little hike in my cholesterol and trig’s. Incidentally this is my theory because I’m sure my GP would prefer to believe it’s because I’ve been eating like a toddler at a tea party! 😉
I haven't been on V+O, but will likely be on it next, so I'm paying careful attention and appreciate your sharing.
I wonder if the "more protein" you've been consuming is in the form of meat or eggs? Both are known to have a much higher cholesterol content. Even a single egg yoke has 100mgs of cholesterol.
Triglycerides are supposed to be <150, so 500 sounds very concerning, especially since you were previously at an enviable level of 100. I'm guessing you haven't been guzzling sugary drinks and booze, so what else could it be? I know stress can lead to higher blood pressure, but apparently it can also affect triglycerides. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... I've always had low blood pressure, but I've noticed mine has started spiking when I show up for medical appts (which I've self-diagnosed as "late onset white coat syndrome" 😬).
I use a lot of plant based protein powder with no sugar, or legumes, whole grain products etc that are high in fiber and protein
No change in meat or eggs.
I am under a lot of stress over the onslaught of medical issues, and personal issues.
One is the way my spouse has been treating me over the past and which has intensified of late. As I contemplate divorce v continuing in the current situation I feel a lot of stress and anxiety as neither seems good. Maybe too much info?
As I reviewed my BP during IgG infusions over the past year I've noted a gradual increase in BP???
I’m on O & V and since I’ve been on it my blood pressure has been erratic. Was on 3mg of candesartan at beginning and I have just started 10mg to try and steady it.
Excess protein is converted into sugar by the liver. The body cannot process more than 20 or 30 g per sitting. You only need about 1.5 g per kilogram of body weight daily. The rest is just wasted through gluconeogenesis. 90 g of protein a day in three meals, 50 g of carbs in 3 meals. The rest of the energy intake from fat. This should help with the triglyceride and A1C problem.
My labs show low and sometimes low normal protein.
The protein shakes I make have 30 gm protein, 1cup oats, 1-1 1/2 cups of frozen banana, strawberries and peach with no added sugar. I also add 1 cup unsweetened almond milk.
I also add about 30 gm of protein powder to water and drink over about 20 minutes.
I've noticed there is a fair amount of sugar, 40 mg per serving which I ear with whole grain noodles ( 7 gm fiber, 7 gm protein) with lean hamburger so I need to stop using that sauce.
So based on this thought process, to get enough total protein I could space out and reduce the amount of each protein intake??
And continue to read labels on foods to avoid sugar intake??
And I suspect losing weight could help?
And keep exercising which I do 4-5 times per week at 80-90 minutes each time?
Hi, that's way too much carbs in the shakes. Natural sugar (glucose and fructose) is just as bad as added sugar if in excess. Numbers don't lie, the carb intake needs to be reduced. Exercising is good for health, strength and stamina but can't compensate for excessive carb intake. Meat plus eggs plus some veggies is what works for me. I get so much protein from meat (easily digestible and bioavailable)that I do not need any protein shakes. But if I did I would probably just blend them with water and drink straight.
It is my understanding that your labs may show low protein not from a lack of protein intake but rather from other items included in the protein lab count, such as immunoglobulins. These may very likely be affected by the CLL treatment and you are unlikely to affect that by eating more protein.
If it were me, I would discuss this with your CLL specialist and focus on eating a good diet, which I suspect you have been doing. You may also want to have your immunoglobulin levels tested. I think Neil and others have dealt with low immunoglobulins and how to live with this.
I am not medically trained. I had low protein show up on one of my lab tests (in fact, it shows up regularly now) and this what I think I learned from others on this wonderful site about protein.
I’m unable to comment on medication side effects on cholesterol as I’m still in W&W. It’s sensible to follow up with your docs on that one.
You may also want to research the effects of prolonged or chronic stress on the body & its cascade effects. The body’s fight or flight mechanisms release cortisol and adrenaline which then increases glucose & stimulates the cardiovascular system etc, etc.
That element is well documented. More anecdotally & theory of mine, I believe that when you’ve had a high stress career, which includes a large life/death element, the fight/flight activation or stress reactions become normal & with healthy coping mechanisms, relationships, the body self regulates and we don’t see or question what’s normal for us, until it all changes!
A cancer diagnosis & dysfunctional immune system, a pandemic, relationship breakdown, job loss or retirement, bereavement , moving, take your pick. All major stressors individually. Did them all, except retirement, I just added a diagnosis of work related ptsd for good measure; my body convinced it was still roaming the savannah constantly in fight/flight mode. It plays havoc with our physiology.
Sorry for the ramble. We’re all as individual as our immune systems and that’s the caveat *may not apply in all cases.* It has however helped me untangle what is driving what, the things I can control & those I can’t.
I’m on Venclexta only and my oncologist says one possible side effect is raised glucose.
My last A1C was 5.3 and I had to work hard for that. My endocrinologist says to eat less than 40 grams of carbs per meal, eat smaller portions, and try to eat 4 or 5 smaller meals a day instead of 3 large meals.
I check my glucose at home and have a list of how many carbs per food item. Watch for hidden sugar. My glucose went high after I ate Panda Express so I looked up the ingredients and they use lots of sugar in their sauce.
Sounds like you’re keeping your weight down and getting enough exercise.
My BP, glucose, and lipids all increased after the 6 months of obinutuzumab, so I switched my statin to Crestor, which quickly improved all of the lipids, but also increased A1c so increased the metformin dose, and needed to double my ARB dose. I had lost 30 pounds before treatment, but regained it by 6 months on V+O. All my labs are fine now and no changes in weight 2 years later on the same doses of Crestor, metformin, and ARB.
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Husband's 3rd week of "O" infusions, getting ready for the "V" ramp up!
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