When You Understand Your Own Blood Tests, Everything Changes
- Tammar
- Jul 15
- 4 min read
The below article is not medical advice, but it is based on facts, and links to studies are provided. By reading this article, you agree to the disclaimer (click here).
This article includes a FREE download/print of Triglyceride:HDL Ratio and Remnant Cholesterol
Two Blood Markers That Matter PDF (click here to get yours)
I have a not-so-little but very true story to tell you, and it’s worth your time.
It’s about two big truths:
a) Doctors don’t know everything (as Katie Hopkins says: The God Delusion Is Over).
b) Doctors work for you. That's why you can and should insist on what you need from them.
The all-mighty cholesterol
Around early July 2025, I came down with a nasty cold. Yes, even people on a carnivore diet can sometimes get sick. And no, it wasn’t COVID.
I went to the doctor to get a medical certificate for work. She’s a young and ambitious GP, and she immediately handed me a blood test form.
A few days later, we had a phone consultation to go over the results. The first thing she told me was: “Your total cholesterol and LDL are very high. I’m concerned.”
So I asked for my actual numbers: HDL, LDL, and triglycerides.
While still on the phone, I ran a quick calculation (all values in mmol/L, Australia):
Triglyceride:HDL ratio: 0.9 ÷ 2.0 = 0.45 (ideal is under 0.8)
Remnant cholesterol: Total cholesterol – HDL – LDL = 7.7 – 2.0 – 5.4 = 0.3 (ideal is under 0.5)
I told her: “I’m not worried about my total cholesterol or LDL. I go by triglyceride:HDL ratio and remnant cholesterol, and both are perfect.”
She replied, “I’ve never heard of those ratios.”
I offered to bring her the information next time I came in.
Being Told to See a Specialist Doesn’t Always Mean You Should
Then she mentioned another concern: my ferritin levels were high, and she wanted to refer me to a specialist.
Now, in the “old days”, before I started researching nutrition, science myths, and the power of diet, I would’ve just obeyed. Book the specialist. No questions asked.
But that’s not me anymore.
I looked into it. Turns out, ferritin is an acute-phase reactant. This means ferritin levels can spike during inflammation or infection, not just from iron overload.
And I have done the blood test while actively sick with a cold.
So I booked another appointment with my GP to talk it through.
Don’t Be Afraid to Tell Your Doctor, “I researched this issue.”
When I walked in, the first thing she said was:
“By the way, I looked up the triglyceride:HDL ratio. Very interesting.”
That surprised me, in a good way. I handed her the info sheet I’d made on triglyceride:HDL ratio and remnant cholesterol. (Click here to download your copy.) She skimmed it, checked my math, and confirmed I was right.
Then I said: “About the ferritin… I've researched a bit, and maybe it spiked because I was sick. Maybe we should hold off on the specialist and re-test in a few weeks?”
Her answer: “Yes, it could’ve been the cold. There’s no rush to see a specialist.”
Surprise number two: She agreed to wait with the specialist.
A Doctor Admits the Truth
Before I left, I gave her a list of the blood tests I wanted next. It was more comprehensive than usual, and I told her I knew Medicare might not cover all of them.
As she started typing them into the form, she paused and said:
“Tammar, I want you to understand something. When I started here a few months ago, I used to send my new patients for full blood work, like what you’re asking for. After just a few cases, I got called into the office. The lab had complained that I was ordering too many tests. I was told to stick to the ‘standard guidelines.’”
I stopped her and said, “That’s fine. Just tell them I insisted.”
She smiled and said:
“Exactly. That’s why I’m telling you this. See here?” She showed me the blood test form. It read: ‘Patient strict request’. My GP continued: “I had to write it like that, or I’d get in trouble again.”
Doctors Work For You
It’s a good-sad story.
Sad that:
Doctors aren’t allowed to order full tests without red tape.
Many still follow outdated cholesterol dogma.
Guidelines push doctors to refer to specialists first, before asking why, or whether there’s an actual immediate need.
Most people still blindly say “Amen” to whatever their doctor says.
But good that:
I’ve learned to question and research.
I’ve learned to insist.
I’ve learned that doctors work for me, not the other way around.
And if the doctors won’t listen? I changed doctors. That's what 'working for me' means.
Your Thoughts Are Important To Me
I hope this story empowers you in your healthcare journey.
You can download the info sheet I gave my doctor here: [Triglyceride:HDL Ratio + Remnant Cholesterol PDF]. It includes full references to the scientific literature.
Your Free Immediate download/print - Triglyceride:HDL Ratio and Remnant Cholesterol
Two Blood Markers That Matter (this is what I gave my GP)
Disclaimer:
This article is not intended to provide medical, health, or dietary advice. I do not aim to convince you, but rather to empower you with facts.
Fact accuracy of this information: As always, I am committed to factual accuracy when presenting information. The insights and conclusions in this article have been thoroughly reviewed and checked for factual integrity. While AI tools like ChatGPT have been utilized as part of the fact-checking process, they complement a wider strategy that includes viewing current scientific research, expert analyses, and authoritative resources to ensure the reliability and relevance of the content presented. If there are any facts that I might have missed or that I have presented wrong - please contact me: at tammars.com@gmail.com
Comments