We all know there are people out there who just love to bash the low carb lifestyle. I've yet had anyone explain to me how not eating sugar, flour, and potatoes is bad for me. Of course they all have thier own agenda.

I wish I had some numbers to give you prior to my Atkins/Low Carb journey but I do not. When you are 400 lbs you don't really want to be visiting the doctor. It's emabarassing. Not to mention you don't want the bad news.

Anyway it's been a year and a half now and I just got my results and I'm happy to say I'm one healthy dude. In fact, in many ways, I'm in the best shape of my life.

My Doc says I am in perfect health. My HDL could be a little higher but it is nothing to worry about. Here's how it all breaks down.

Hemoglobin 134 normal is 135-175
Hematocrit 0.39 normal is 0.40-0.50
White Blood Cell Count 4.7 normal 4.0-11.0
Red Blood Cell Count 4.31 normal 4.50-6.00
MCV 91.1 normal 80-95
MCH 31.1 normal 27.5-33
NCHC 341 normal 320-360
RDW 13.7 normal 11.5-14.5
Platelet Count 163 normal 150-400

Here's the big ones...

Glucose 4.2 normal 3.6-6.0
Creatinine 70 normal 60-125
Sodium 145 normal 135-147
Potassium 3.9 normal 3.5-5.2
Chloride 110 normal 95-110
Cholesterol 3.18 desireable <5.20

HDL Cholesterol 0.90 desireable 1.17-1.55 (elevated risk is below 0.90)
LDL Cholesterol 2.02... the desireable depends on risk assessment. Despite whatever risk assessment I would categorize myself, the results are still excellent. It breaks down like this...
Very High/Diabetes, desireable is <2.50
High, desireable is <3.0
Moderate, desireable is <4.0
Low, desireable is <5.0

Cholesterol/HDL ratio 3.5 this also is dependent on risk assessment and again, whatever the assessment, I'm looking good.
Very High/Diabetes, desireable is <4
High, desireable is <5
Moderate, desireable is <6
Low, desireable is <7

Triglylcerides 0.57 also based on risk assessment
Moderate to High, desireable is <2.0
Low, desireable is <3.0

So that's it and it is pretty much what I expected. I feel fantastic. It is nice to have the documentation to put any nagging doubts to rest and to shut up the nay sayers.

He also said I was likely carrying a good 20 lbs of excess skin. All the more reason I suppose to not try to go too much lower with my weight. If the 20 lbs is correct, that would put my actual weight at about 175. Pretty much exactly where I'd like to be.