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Muscular Cramps, Dark Complexion, Smoker. Want Advice On Lab Report And Vit D Deficiency

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Posted on Fri, 7 Sep 2012
Question: Need expert advise on my brothers lab report which is attached to this question. He is a smoker (since 1989/1990), does get muscular cramps quite often. Complexion is on Darker side so also need inputs specially wrt Vit D deficiency as darker complexion people have lower conversion to VIT D in sunlight.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shainaz Arif Kaware (1 hour later)
Hello XXXXXXX,

Thanks for your query.

I have seen all of your brother’s reports and infer that few things are abnormal in it.

The abnormalities are:-
1. Urine analysis report shows trace of protein. Small amount of protein in urine may be due to dehydration also and should not be a cause for concern.
2. High cholesterol levels especially the total cholesterol, high LDL and low levels of HDL.
3. Deficiency of vitamin D.

The major worry here is that the cholesterol levels:-
-HDL which is protective cholesterol for heart is on lower side,
-LDL which is bad cholesterol for heart is quite high,
-Total cholesterol is also high.
With this cholesterol report and habit of smoking he will be in high risk category for heart disease.

It is good to know that he does not have any medical illness, so preventive measures can be taken and hopefully he should do fine. And for prevention, these steps need to be followed:-
-Quit smoking,
-Follow strict dietary restrictions to keep calories and fat in control like not more than 1 tbsp oil per day, etc.
-Avoid fatty fried food especially from outside,
-He is taking flax seeds which help in reducing cholesterol,
-Do regular exercise like brisk walking.
-Discuss with your doctor regarding benefits of antioxidants as they help to eradicate free radical and is beneficial especially for smokers.

Deficiency of vitamin D can be tackled with help of vitamin D in form of granules (calcirol),capsules like Uprise-D and even vitamin D injectables are available.

I guess you have done this as a preventive health check up so better consult a Physician close by and get him examined. The Physician will examine your brother and if he feels a need he may even start medicine like statins (Atorvastatin) to help reduce the cholesterol.

Hope this answers your query. In case you have any further concern please write back.
Please accept this answer if you have no other queries.

Take care and Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shainaz Arif Kaware (56 minutes later)
Hello,

I am not a BIG FAN of STATINS as they are most over prescribed drug and has huge set of Side effects specially on muscles. I would rather request a more NON DRUG approach towards Cholesterol so please suggest that. There have been huge set of studies which have shown how detrimental STATINS have been in general where cost of treating side effects of statins is much more than the cost of drug itself.

I find that you mentioned nothing about TRIGLYCERIDES (which have relation with carbohydrate loaded diet) and resulting VLDL which is bad.

Which VIT D Supplement and how much dose would you suggest?
Would Alpha Lipoic Acid (Anti Oxidant) and CoQ10 be helpful?

Yes we would get in touch with doctor here but we always prefer taking multiple opinions before buying any Rx Drug.

Thanks
XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shainaz Arif Kaware (51 minutes later)
Hello XXXXXXX;
Thanks for writing back.
I have not mentioned about Triglycerides as they are (194) presently with in the permissible limits (25-200)although on higher side of normal.
Secondly when you follow dietary restrictions and reduce excess carbohydrates and fats it will start coming on lower side.
Presently the level of cholesterol at 228 should be manageable with diet and exercises if it is strictly followed.
What you said regarding statins is right to a certain extent but they have to be used in people who do not follow dietary restriction,have very high levels of cholesterol and have a family history of heart disease and high cholesterol.
Food articles like eggs(white),fish ( like salmon,trout,sardines),nuts(almonds,walnut) and flax seeds are helpful in increasing HDL(High Density Lipoprotein).
Foods that are helpful in lowering LDL(Low Density Lipoprotein) are garlic,yogurt,fruits like pomegranates,and increasing fiber in diet also helps reducing LDL.
Yes antioxidants like Alpha lipoic acid,Co-enzyme Q10,Lycopene,vitamin E will be helpful.
As for the vitamin D supplement it will be better to get prescribed from your doctor.
I have mentioned the option of granules/capsules and injectable (in my previous answer) so please discuss the dose and the type of vitamin D suitable with your doctor.
Hope I have answered your query.
Please let me know if I have missed on any of your concerns.
Please accept this answer if you don't have any further queries.
Wishing your brother good health.
Regards



Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shainaz Arif Kaware

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1993

Answered : 2416 Questions

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Muscular Cramps, Dark Complexion, Smoker. Want Advice On Lab Report And Vit D Deficiency

Hello XXXXXXX,

Thanks for your query.

I have seen all of your brother’s reports and infer that few things are abnormal in it.

The abnormalities are:-
1. Urine analysis report shows trace of protein. Small amount of protein in urine may be due to dehydration also and should not be a cause for concern.
2. High cholesterol levels especially the total cholesterol, high LDL and low levels of HDL.
3. Deficiency of vitamin D.

The major worry here is that the cholesterol levels:-
-HDL which is protective cholesterol for heart is on lower side,
-LDL which is bad cholesterol for heart is quite high,
-Total cholesterol is also high.
With this cholesterol report and habit of smoking he will be in high risk category for heart disease.

It is good to know that he does not have any medical illness, so preventive measures can be taken and hopefully he should do fine. And for prevention, these steps need to be followed:-
-Quit smoking,
-Follow strict dietary restrictions to keep calories and fat in control like not more than 1 tbsp oil per day, etc.
-Avoid fatty fried food especially from outside,
-He is taking flax seeds which help in reducing cholesterol,
-Do regular exercise like brisk walking.
-Discuss with your doctor regarding benefits of antioxidants as they help to eradicate free radical and is beneficial especially for smokers.

Deficiency of vitamin D can be tackled with help of vitamin D in form of granules (calcirol),capsules like Uprise-D and even vitamin D injectables are available.

I guess you have done this as a preventive health check up so better consult a Physician close by and get him examined. The Physician will examine your brother and if he feels a need he may even start medicine like statins (Atorvastatin) to help reduce the cholesterol.

Hope this answers your query. In case you have any further concern please write back.
Please accept this answer if you have no other queries.

Take care and Regards