Hi I am Melissa . I am 57. I retired in 2021 ( surgical podiatrist) to move in with and take care of my mother who has dementia. I am taking care of her 24/7. I did 23 and me and found out I am a 4/4 . I am trying to learn as much as I can to help prevent following in my mothers foot steps.
I have always been thin and athletic.
The only medical diagnosis I had was premature ovarian failure which was only treated with use of PCP until age 50. ( so no protective estrogen)
My labs have always been marginal with high LDL and high normal HGA1c. But have always thought and been told I am healthy
I recently got labs on my own and found out I have high lipo ( a) 123 ABOb 95 My HGA1c was 5.7 .
I eat pretty close to a MIND diet
I am 5 6 wt 127. My VO2max is in the 40 s - I lift weights 3 days a week , at least 40 min of zone 2 exercise at least 5 days a week , and vo2 max training 2 times a week
I have also started using a dry sauna 30 min 3 times a week
I have not been able to get an apt with a PCP yet but have one in June. I currently am on no meds but hope to be able to get a PCSK9 inhibitor ( 23 and me also says I will not metabolize statins well ) and possibly low dose metformin?
HRT ?
Does anyone have any advice or recommendations ? Is it too late for me , am I too old ?
I feel like my genes are stacked against me
thanks
Melissa
new member
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Re: new member
Hi Melissa-Beaker wrote: ↑Sun May 05, 2024 9:49 pm Hi I am Melissa . I am 57. I retired in 2021 ( surgical podiatrist) to move in with and take care of my mother who has dementia. I am taking care of her 24/7. I did 23 and me and found out I am a 4/4 . I am trying to learn as much as I can to help prevent following in my mothers foot steps.
I have always been thin and athletic.
The only medical diagnosis I had was premature ovarian failure which was only treated with use of PCP until age 50. ( so no protective estrogen)
My labs have always been marginal with high LDL and high normal HGA1c. But have always thought and been told I am healthy
I recently got labs on my own and found out I have high lipo ( a) 123 ABOb 95 My HGA1c was 5.7 .
I eat pretty close to a MIND diet
I am 5 6 wt 127. My VO2max is in the 40 s - I lift weights 3 days a week , at least 40 min of zone 2 exercise at least 5 days a week , and vo2 max training 2 times a week
I have also started using a dry sauna 30 min 3 times a week
I have not been able to get an apt with a PCP yet but have one in June. I currently am on no meds but hope to be able to get a PCSK9 inhibitor ( 23 and me also says I will not metabolize statins well ) and possibly low dose metformin?
HRT ?
Does anyone have any advice or recommendations ? Is it too late for me , am I too old ?
I feel like my genes are stacked against me
thanks
Melissa
Hello! I'm a support team intern, and I'd like to welcome you to this site! You have found a very supportive community here. First, it is definitely not too late! You have obviously done a lot of your own research, and are motivated to make lifestyle changes, which is the most important factor in dementia prevention. The change you recently made in adding saunas is an excellent choice, as getting rid of toxins is extremely important. Your self-determination and love of learning will enable you to continue to make positive changes for your health.
It would be a great idea to first take a look at our Primer. It is an incredible resource of information about the biochemistry of ApoE4. It offers researched-based prevention strategies and was written by a practicing M.D. with ApoE4. Do not become overwhelmed with all the information. Sometimes it is best to slowly read through it, decide which section resonates with you, and focus on that area first.
The How-To Guide will help you learn how to navigate this site. It includes topics such as navigating the forum, private messaging, and searching.
You can find other members' experiences in Our Stories. Sometimes reading the stories of others helps us realize that we are not alone.
Making a doctor's appointment is an important step, and should result in some important information for you. You may not need any additional support, but I thought I would let you know that we have a resource for apoe4-aware providers here: ApoE4-Aware Healthcare Practitioners.
I'm so glad you have joined us on this site. This is a community full of intelligent people who stay on top of research and resources, and we will be happy to accompany you as you continue to make changes for better brain (and body) health. Please feel free to reach out anytime with questions or if you just need support. You are not alone. We are here for you.
Take care,
Julie
PhD in Speech-Language Pathology
Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach
Interested in all things brain-related
Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach
Interested in all things brain-related
Re: new member
Hi Julie ,
Thank you very much . This seems like a very informative and supportive site. It is nice to not feel alone.
Melissa
Thank you very much . This seems like a very informative and supportive site. It is nice to not feel alone.
Melissa
Re: new member
Melissa,
You are NOT too old. The fact that you have been exercising will help protect you. Also, there is a lot of progress these days in the research community. If your blood sugars are not great, try to get rid of any added sugar from your diet.
Sonoma Mike
4/4
4/4
Re: new member
Thank you . Fingers crossed ! I really have cut added sugars but have to admit I love fruit . I eat frozen blueberries almost daily. My hga1c has always been high normal , even when young . I think I have always been a little insulin resistant. As a kid I could never eat something with sugar unless I added a protein and exercised after. Starting to make sense now .
Have a great dayl
Have a great dayl
Re: new member
Do you ever take your blood sugars during the day? When you say your hga1c is high normal, can you give me numbers? Fructose can be bad, actually. Take in moderation and keep to berries. When I say added sugars, I also mean things like corn syrup added.Beaker wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2024 1:07 pm Thank you . Fingers crossed ! I really have cut added sugars but have to admit I love fruit . I eat frozen blueberries almost daily. My hga1c has always been high normal , even when young . I think I have always been a little insulin resistant. As a kid I could never eat something with sugar unless I added a protein and exercised after. Starting to make sense now .
Have a great dayl
Sonoma Mike
4/4
4/4
Re: new member
My last hga1c was 5.7 . I usually fluctuate between 5.9 and 5.7
Re: new member
thanks I thought with 4/4 they wanted 5.5 highest and ideally 5. I was never really worried about my numbers until I found out I am 4/4
Interesting thing I just found out my mom is 4/4 . My sister had an old 23 and me of moms( they didn't flag as Alzheimers risk when mom took it)
I am currently taking care of her in her home . She is going on 86 She has dementia but most problems are physical . she has some really good cognitive days . Started needing help in her 80 s until then lived alone. So maybe some protective genes. We actually were not sure she had Alzheimers - not typical presentation.
Interesting thing I just found out my mom is 4/4 . My sister had an old 23 and me of moms( they didn't flag as Alzheimers risk when mom took it)
I am currently taking care of her in her home . She is going on 86 She has dementia but most problems are physical . she has some really good cognitive days . Started needing help in her 80 s until then lived alone. So maybe some protective genes. We actually were not sure she had Alzheimers - not typical presentation.
Re: new member
Blueberries help with BDNF, brain derived neurotropic factor, which according to NIH plays an important role in neuronal survival and growth, serves as a neurotransmitter modulator, and participates in neuronal plasticity, which is essential for learning and memory.Beaker wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2024 1:07 pm Thank you . Fingers crossed ! I really have cut added sugars but have to admit I love fruit . I eat frozen blueberries almost daily. My hga1c has always been high normal , even when young . I think I have always been a little insulin resistant. As a kid I could never eat something with sugar unless I added a protein and exercised after. Starting to make sense now .
Have a great dayl
If you can get hold of wild blueberries (also called myrtilles) they are blue all the way through - the usual sort are white inside. Apparently it's the blue bit that's good.
I eat wild blueberries most days... in a blend of kefir that I make myself for a healthy microbiome, with some ground flax seeds for fibre, phyto-oestrogens (that's right, I'm British ), and toxin binding.
See, you've been doing a good job without even knowing it!
Lindsey
TCHC - Lindsey Byrne - The Cognitive Health Coach - UK
Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach (FMCHC)
Certified Re:CODE 2.0 Health Coach
Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach (FMCHC)
Certified Re:CODE 2.0 Health Coach