Father Jones was shocked to find out his cholesterol total was 302, back in the day. “Father, you can try going on a low fat low cholesterol diet, but I’m not sure that will be enough.” “Well, can I try that before going on any medication?” “Sure! Give it 3 months and we’ll recheck.”
Three months later he had it redone. 297. “Father, are you following that diet?” He just looked at me. “Of course you are! You’re following it, religiously!” So I go into the explanation that while 85% of cholesterol level variance is genetic, not dietary, for him, it’s more like 98% genetic. He goes on medication!
The very large woman was quite disappointed that her cholesterol came in at 250. She also wanted to try the diet and try again to lose some weight. 3 months later, cholesterol is again 250, no weight loss. I offered to refer her to a dietician, which she readily accepted as an alternative to medication. Then, 3 months later, the recheck. Cholesterol now 200!! Wow! That’s a huge drop for diet alone. “What did you do for her?” I asked the dietician. “I told her to stop eating a pint of Haagen-Dazs every night. She claimed she didn’t know there was fat in it.”
Sometimes we don’t know what we need to know. Errors of omission are always the hardest to find. Sometimes we need help. Did the priest need a referral? He would have been insulted. Did the lady? Well, the dietician not only helped, she kept me from an unnecessary prescription for a cholesterol lowering drug.
Sometimes, sometimes not so much! How and where does this apply in your life?