227 - Pre-diabetic and Carnivore - bloodwork

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Are you confused by your lab results after going full carnivore? Wondering if your high LDL and blood sugar are a problem or just a side effect of eating steak and doing CrossFit every day?

In this episode, I break down my latest blood work (September 2025) with insights for anyone living a low-carb, high-performance lifestyle. I walk through each section of my lab panel — including lipids, glucose, testosterone, inflammation, kidney markers, and more — and share what these numbers mean when viewed through the lens of real-world function, not outdated medical norms.

This is the episode I wish existed 5 years ago. If you're a 40+ guy trying to optimize for longevity, energy, and strength, this one’s for you.

🧬 Topics Covered:

• ✅ Why my LDL is high — and why I’m not worried
• 🩸 The truth about elevated A1c and fasting glucose on carnivore
• 🏋️ How fasted CrossFit + low-carb = "physiological hyperglycemia"
• 🔥 Inflammation markers that actually matter (spoiler: mine are great)
• 🧠 Why context > numbers when reading labs
• 📈 What to track next: fasting insulin, CRP, cortisol, ferritin
• 💪 How my testosterone, DHEA, and PSA stack up
• 🥩 Insights from Dr. Ken Berry’s research on “physiological insulin resistance”
• 🧪 Tests I recommend to fine-tune your metabolic picture
• 💡 Tips on hydration, stress, sleep, and nutrient tweaks to improve labs

🧠 Bullet Point Summary from the Review:

• My LDL particle count is high, but inflammation markers (CRP, homocysteine) are low — context matters more than the number.
• Fasting glucose (106) and A1c (5.8%) are slightly elevated, but likely due to fasted workouts, cortisol spikes, and gluconeogenesis, not diabetes risk.
• Dawn effect + epinephrine = higher morning glucose for fuel, not dysfunction.
• Labs indicate hydration issues — BUN/Creatinine ratio suggests drink more water before tests.
• Testosterone, Free T, and DHEA all in healthy range = ✅ for hormone health.
• PSA is normal, supporting low prostate inflammation and risk.
• Plan to test fasting insulin, hs-CRP, ferritin, and cortisol for full picture.
• May experiment with continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and post-workout carbs to dial things in.
• Confirmed: eating red meat and doing CrossFit daily doesn’t break you — it reveals your real metabolic engine.

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📩 Got questions about your own labs or lifestyle tweaks? Hit me up on IG or CrossFit Garage
!

#Carnivore #CrossFitOver40 #Longevity #FunctionalMedicine #BloodWorkExplained #HighLDL #MetabolicHealth #TestosteroneOptimization #InflammationMarkers #RealHealth #BiohackingMen #PhysiologicalInsulinResistance #GarageFitnessOnline

Summary:

- Carnivore Diet Journey and Context: Andy McCann has been following a strict carnivore diet for approximately 14 months, initially joining his son Evan who adopted the diet to heal Crohn's disease. Andy eats primarily eggs, steak, ground meat, and goat cheese with no carbohydrates except minimal amounts from cheese (~4g daily).

- Physiological vs. Pathological Glucose Elevation: Andy explains that his elevated glucose and A1C readings aren't pathological but physiological—his body deliberately preserves glucose for brain function since he doesn't consume carbohydrates. This creates a pattern called "physiological insulin resistance" which mimics pre-diabetes but isn't the same mechanism.