Today's date is May 30, 2009, contrary to what the date was when I tried to type this earlier.

Before May, 2003, my triglycerides were 527 and my total cholesterol was 312, measured non-fasting.  

In early May, 2003, on re-check while fasting, triglycerides were 246 and total cholesterol was 239.  I was told to follow a "low-sugar" diet, with no specific instructions.

In November, 2003, after "carefully" eliminating "sugar" from my diet, my triglycerides were 181 and my total cholesterol was 258.  

In August, 2004, a re-check showed triglycerides at 365 and total cholesterol at 360.  I was placed on Tricor about that time, I think.  I continued the "low-sugar" diet along with that.

In October, 2004, my triglycerides measured 188 and my total cholesterol was 237, still on Tricor and "low-sugar" diet.

In August, 2005, my triglycerides measured 183, and my total cholesterol was 227. In early 2006, I stopped taking the Tricor.

I began the USD just after July 4th in 2007.  In December, 2007, my triglycerides measured 138, and total cholesterol was 200(with no medication, this time).

In May, 2009(last week), after eliminating HFCS for almost 2 years, my triglycerides measured 107! My total cholesterol measured 189, the lowest it has been so far.  I am not strictly following the USD program at this point, but I try to eat as much as possible in accordance with its suggestions.  I have recently discovered a healthy Mexican restaurant, and we generally eat there at least once a week.  

I keep the ingredients for my "shakes" on hand at all times, but I don't always find the time to have those(plus, the most important part to my personal-sized blender is AWOL right now).  I need to "fine-tune" my HDL and LDL a bit, but both are in normal range, as they have always been.

I do consume sugar on occasion, such as when I attend a meeting where refreshments are served, or on special occasions, such as family birthdays or holidays.  In spite of that, my lipids are still much better than they used to be on the "low-sugar" diet/Tricor!!!

THANK YOU, DR. HYMAN AND KATHIE SWIFT, for letting me know something that I can do for myself to get my lipids under control!!!

grandmaof3 (who has 4 grandsons as of Feb., 2009)

PS: My family and friends just can't understand how I can sleep so soundly, wake up very energetic, work such long hours without a break, etc.  My husband is considering getting off of HFCS after seeing my lab results which arrived yesterday!