Bad Lipids on GH and GLP1

[nxckf]

Been having some issues with my lipids. It started when I got my bloods done at the end of a deficit on Reta and CJC/Ipa and noticed my cholesterol over 300 as well as very very high LDL and low HDL. I went back into maintenance, stopped the Reta and the CJC as well to get some baseline bloods. Lipids returned to (mostly) normal as show in the labcorp screenshot.

Now in a slight caloric surplus, taking 3iu of GH every night, and on 2.5mg Tirz per week. High cholesterol is back. Any ideas why?

 

[nxckf]

The original lipid panel that sparked concern. On a deficit, Reta and CJC.

 

[riggspersonal]

It's not uncommon to see a transient spike when starting retatrutide from the glucagon receptor agonist stimulating lypolysis, but usually stabilizes after awhile.

The transient hypercholesterolemia of major weight loss - PubMed

Serum lipoproteins, body composition, and adipose cholesterol contents of six obese women were studied during and after major weight loss by very-low-calorie diets (VLCDs). Subjects started at 168 +/- 11% of ideal body weight, lost 30.3 +/- 3.7 kg in 5-7 mo, followed by 2+ mo in weight...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

It seems you're a hyper-responder to lipolysis. The initial combination of retatrutide + CJC/IPA (both of which cause enhanced lipolysis, reta through glucagon receptor agonist and CJC/IPA which is GH-induced) was outpacing your livers ability to clear fat. And now when running 3iu of GH and tirzepatide (the latter is more passively stimulating lipolysis but much less aggressively because no glucagon receptor agonist), your liver is still unable to maintain pace.

I'd initially try to reduce saturated fat intake, make sure I'm doing adequate cardio, and eating enough fiber. Also would want to know my T3, T4, and TSH.

 

[nxckf]

It's not uncommon to see a transient spike when starting retatrutide from the glucagon receptor agonist stimulating lypolysis, but usually stabilizes after awhile.

The transient hypercholesterolemia of major weight loss - PubMed

Serum lipoproteins, body composition, and adipose cholesterol contents of six obese women were studied during and after major weight loss by very-low-calorie diets (VLCDs). Subjects started at 168 +/- 11% of ideal body weight, lost 30.3 +/- 3.7 kg in 5-7 mo, followed by 2+ mo in weight...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

It seems you're a hyper-responder to lipolysis. The initial combination of retatrutide + CJC/IPA (both of which cause enhanced lipolysis, reta through glucagon receptor agonist and CJC/IPA which is GH-induced) was outpacing your livers ability to clear fat. And now when running 3iu of GH and tirzepatide (the latter is more passively stimulating lipolysis but much less aggressively because no glucagon receptor agonist), your liver is still unable to maintain pace.

I'd initially try to reduce saturated fat intake, make sure I'm doing adequate cardio, and eating enough fiber. Also would want to know my T3, T4, and TSH.

Thank you. Here’s my T3, T4, TSH, if they’re telling of anything. These were pulled at the time off the Reta and CJC. Not shown but RT3 was sky high.

 

[riggspersonal]

Thank you. Here’s my T3, T4, TSH, if they’re telling of anything. These were pulled at the time off the Reta and CJC. Not shown but RT3 was sky high.

This is missing Free T3 so it's not super helpful. Also, your albumin is indicative of mild to moderate dehydration which is going to artificially inflate your LDL and cholesterol values due to thicker blood volume and higher concentrations of everything. It doesn't explain away everything, just another variable to keep in mind.

 

[nxckf]

This is missing Free T3 so it's not super helpful. Also, your albumin is indicative of mild to moderate dehydration which is going to artificially inflate your LDL and cholesterol values due to thicker blood volume and higher concentrations of everything. It doesn't explain away everything, just another variable to keep in mind.

That’s helpful, I wouldn’t doubt that I was dehydrated for both those bloods tbh. GLP1 agonists seem to blunt my thirst just as much as my hunger. Found my Free T3 if that’s indicative of anything. Thank you.

 

[riggspersonal]

That’s helpful, I wouldn’t doubt that I was dehydrated for both those bloods tbh. GLP1 agonists seem to blunt my thirst just as much as my hunger. Found my Free T3 if that’s indicative of anything. Thank you.

Looks good and indicates no thyroid-related issues. IMO, I'd adjust input or output now. You already know that when you came off compounds your levels went back to normal, so try adjusting the other side of the equation with the things I mentioned above.

How much cardio were you doing?

 

[nxckf]

Looks good and indicates no thyroid-related issues. IMO, I'd adjust input or output now. You already know that when you came off compounds your levels went back to normal, so try adjusting the other side of the equation with the things I mentioned above.

How much cardio were you doing?

30 min of dedicated zone 2 cardio 4 times a week (Incline walking), 12-15k steps a day between work and getting around in downtown Miami since I rarely drive anywhere.