Endocrinologist Grigory Dolgushin has explained which abnormal blood test results can point to a high risk of dangerous conditions, including type 2 diabetes and hypertension. He shared the warning signs on his Telegram channel.
According to Dolgushin, a combination of high triglycerides and low levels of so-called good cholesterol in the blood can be an early warning sign of insulin resistance and diabetes. He also said that high levels of uric acid may point to a risk of insulin resistance, as well as hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Why total cholesterol numbers can mislead
Dolgushin said that looking at overall cholesterol levels alone is not informative. He said what matters is which type of cholesterol is driving the number up.
He said that if bad cholesterol is rising, that is a direct risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events, but if it is good cholesterol that is elevated, there is nothing to worry about.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance carried through the blood, and doctors generally distinguish between LDL, often called bad cholesterol because it can build up in artery walls, and HDL, or good cholesterol, which helps clear it away. Atherosclerosis is the hardening and narrowing of arteries caused by such buildup, and is a major driver of heart attacks and strokes.
What liver enzyme levels can reveal
Dolgushin added that blood tests measuring the liver enzymes ALT and AST can indicate the condition of the liver.
He said a slight rise in these enzymes is far from cirrhosis, but is not something to ignore either. He said this is most often a sign of fatty liver disease, in which the liver becomes coated in fat due to excess simple carbohydrates, alcohol or excess body weight.
ALT and AST, short for alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, are enzymes released into the bloodstream when liver cells are damaged, making them a standard marker doctors use to check liver health. Cirrhosis is severe, often irreversible scarring of the liver, typically caused by long-term damage.
Earlier advice on cholesterol-raising foods
Dietitian Alexei Kabanov had earlier listed foods that raise cholesterol levels, singling out pork and lamb in particular.
