# So, how are these numbers, really? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 5, 2011, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-are-these-numbers-really/577242 "2011-04-05T05:30:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-are-these-numbers-really/577242/1 "2011-04-05T05:30:14Z")
At 50+ my doctors are all about my physicals. I’m 6’3 and 195lbs… My blood pressure was 114 over 74 which is what it usually is, give or take. My lab results were as follows: Bicarbonate 23 BUN 11 Calcium 8.6 Chloride 102 Creatinine .86 Glucose 71 Potassium 3.9 Sodium 139 Cholesterol 119 HDL 42 LDL49 Triglycerides 83 My doctor was all ecstatic, but what do they know? I mean, really? When can I expect to fall over dead and see the dumb look on his face as the Oompa Loompas deny me entrance into Valhalla? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-are-these-numbers-really/577242/2 "2011-04-05T15:35:18Z")
Since the OP is seeking medical advice, this is better suited to IMHO. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![manila](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@manila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manila)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-are-these-numbers-really/577242/3 "2011-04-05T15:43:02Z")
If you were a horse I would wager a few bucks on you winning your next race! ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-are-these-numbers-really/577242/4 "2011-04-05T15:45:08Z")
Check in with us again when you turn 126. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-are-these-numbers-really/577242/5 "2011-04-05T17:10:58Z")
I am not a doctor, but going by my own (limited) experience and a little Googling some of those numbers are VERY nice. I mean, people would _kill_ for your blood pressure or cholesterol levels (though your cholesterol might actually be on the _low_ side, which can be a problem if it drops too low.) Sure hope a doc comes in with some authoritative information. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-are-these-numbers-really/577242/6 "2011-04-05T17:14:04Z")
Almost of your your physical health numbers look perfect. Unfortunately, that doesn’t matter because your height of 6’3" negates all of that. There aren’t any really old tall people. Nobody knows why. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-are-these-numbers-really/577242/7 "2011-04-05T17:14:26Z")
Sneak brag! Or is it stealth brag? Oh man I hope you don’t severely outlive me because I get killed by **MeanOldLady**. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-are-these-numbers-really/577242/8 "2011-04-05T17:37:09Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > Almost of your your physical health numbers look perfect. Unfortunately, that doesn’t matter because your height of 6’3" negates all of that. There aren’t any really old tall people. Nobody knows why. Sorry. First of all, I think my doctors equipment is skewed. (it was that whatchamacall it thing that slides up from the back of the scale.) In shoes I’ve always been just at 6’2. He somehow found an inch somewhere. Maybe my hair was sticking up yesterday?😕 You’d think a doc would know how to measure a human by now (it was actually a nurse). Secondly, my father in-law is 82 and he’s 6’4. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-are-these-numbers-really/577242/9 "2011-04-05T17:44:57Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > Almost of your your physical health numbers look perfect. Unfortunately, that doesn’t matter because your height of 6’3" negates all of that. There aren’t any really old tall people. Nobody knows why. Sorry. Uh-oh.