UK cholesterol checks

[Kev12564]

Hello all, my heart’s OK. A recent scan (64 slice CT, done privately overseas) showed some minor plaque in my LAD, but my calcium score was zero, and the consultant wasn’t concerned except to say I should watch my cholesterol.

My total cholesterol was normal at the end of 2018 but is slightly higher now, and I’d like to have more regular tests. I do these annually when overseas, but I’d like to get six-monthly checks here in the UK.

I can ask my GP periodically, but I’m happy to pay for a private check.

My question is who offers a cholesterol test where the individual HDL and LDL are shown? I’m not happy about the home test kits. Places like Nuffield quote around £100+ for such tests ☹️ Any better offers out there?

I also read about the APOb tests which sounds a better option going forward. Has anyone experience with this?

Thanks 😀

[Adaboo]

I’ve not found anywhere cheaper than that but my GP seems happy to do them every 6 months now. Google bluecrest medical tests and see if they do any near you. You can get a much bigger health screen from them for just over that money.

[Kev12564 in reply to Adaboo]

Thanks Adaboo, I might just ask my GP.

I believe the high street chemists’ tests just give a total cholesterol figure or I’d use that option.

[Kev12564]

Thanks Londinium

I can see these tests are very expensive ☹️ To put things in perspective, the annual blood test I have overseas includes cholesterol, liver function, uric acid, three cancer markers and a few other things I don’t understand and costs the equivalent of £55.

I just saw the basic cholesterol test at a Spire hospital costs £150+ I know it’s a matter of life and death, but that’s prohibitively expensive for a lot of people.

The NHS advice is to get tested every few years. My total cholesterol went from 5 to 5.6 in eight months, so I’d say an annual check is preferable. I’ll see what my GP says, but I can imagine they’ll be unwilling to pay for annual checks,

[Hidden in reply to Kev12564]

As part of an annual review, I have an FBC, U &E, LFT, HbA1c, Lipids, Testosterone and PSA done by my GP. I also from time to time have a Vit D and parathyroid tests done.

[Kev12564 in reply to Hidden]

Wow! Can I ask if that is standard practice or do you require these specific tests?

[Hidden in reply to Kev12564]

I have type 2 diabetes, low testosterone due to a pituitary issue and Parkinson’s disease. The majority of the tests are for my diabetes but the PSA is because I am at a greater risk of prostate cancer due to testosterone replacement therapy.

I do remember going to the GP practice phlebotomist and neither of us could remember what tests I needed. She said she would put a tick in all the boxes but the pregnancy test!!!!

[Kev12564 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Osidge, thanks for your replies and sorry to hear about your issues. I’m pretty healthy and only posted on this area of Health Unlocked after my father had a heart bypass. My GP might not be so keen to refer me for cholesterol tests, but I’ll certainly ask in four or five months time.

On a separate note, my scores were:

Total: 5.7 (should be below 5.2)

HDL: 1.91 (should be over 1.04)

LDL: 3.4 (should be below 2.6)

Triglycerides: 0.9 (should be below 1.7)

Total/HDL Ratio: 3.0 (should be below 5)

So not massively high, but I had a heart scan last year (private, all OK, maybe 10% plaque on LAD) and the consultant did say keep LDL below 2.6.

I’m at a bit of a loss how to get the numbers down. I’m 50, very active (runner, wannabe triathlete, gym goer), no fat to speak of except a bit around the middle. I don’t drink or smoke and rarely eat red meat, butter or greasy snacks.

[Hidden in reply to Kev12564]

How is your carb intake and portion size?

Some people have made a difference with the dietary products for reducing lipids and they did not work at all. A lot of money for nothing. We are both on a statin and levels are now good.

[Kev12564 in reply to Hidden]

Carb intake is something I don’t monitor to be honest, although unusually for a Brit, I rarely eat bread or potatoes. I’m very active so can eat quite a lot without putting on weight, but I should review my diet.

Fish oil seems to be often cited, but the studies show that whilst it’s probably healthy, it has no effect on LDL.

I’m generally healthy. Out of curiosity, I had a private heart scan last year. All OK, some minor plaque on LAD. No statins would be needed right now.

I’m loathe to start taking any medication. My father took a number of different tablets after his heart bypass, and that cocktail of meds had side effects which couldn’t be controlled. I might be healthy now, but if that changes in future and I need medication, I’d like to keep the mix of tablets down as much as possible.

[Hidden in reply to Kev12564]

I took part in a cardiac clinical trial a few years ago I had two cardiac MRIs with contrast and two lots of artery measurements via ultrasound. My heart was great and there was no sign of plaque formation anywhere. Not bad for someone who has been treated for type two diabetes, hypertension and high lipids for 20 years. Recent research seems to be indicating the protective nature of my diabetes medication Metformin for the heart and in preventing some cancers. My last BP was 119/74 and my total cholesterol was 3.5.

[Kev12564 in reply to Hidden]

Glad all’s OK now. No one knows what to do except the standard don’t smoke, drink in moderation (I don’t drink) and keep the weight down.

My Dad’s heart got clogged up, but he was 85 when this happened. He didn’t have high cholesterol as far as I know although it was rarely checked. I don’t think it’ll do any harm to get my LDL down or at least try.

[Kev12564]

This was in Asia, just walk in off the street and get the results a few days later. I lived in Germany a few years ago and had the full expensive health insurance. A full blood test there (bearing in mind I paid hundreds of euros a month insurance) was €10.

Noted on the triglycerides 🙂

[Kev12564]

That’s a good idea. Combine a holiday with a blood test. 🙂 It is a shame the UK private tests are so pricey, but I’ll see what my GP says first.

[Plum53]

Hi ask your GP if you can have cholesterol test six monthly and have them put Hdl/ Ldl ratio on the comments part of blood test firm. This will then show these results . Good luck

[Kev12564 in reply to Plum53]

Hi Plum, I’ll give it a try. I was under the impression the NHS wouldn’t pay for it, but maybe they will now my total is now higher (5.6). I don’t have the breakdown of the figures to hand, and it’s only recently risen to this level so no panic but I need to keep an eye on the numbers.

[Hidden in reply to Kev12564]

The NHS will pay for all necessary tests and a lipid profile will automatically give you all the results you want. If you have online access to your medical records, your test results will appear there.

[fergusthegreat]

Hi, just my opinion but I wouldn't bother. I have a much better lipid profile than you.

HDL is the same but triglycerides are 0.5 and ldl is 0.9

At 50 I had a stent in my Lad which was heavily calcified. You have minimal plaque and no calcium.

Heart disease is not all about cholesterol and your current levels are not causing problems.

I would simply carry on with your current lifestyle and diet as it's clearly working for you.

[Kev12564 in reply to fergusthegreat]

Hi Fergus, thanks. I’m not panicking just yet 🙂 The heart consultant who looked at my CT scan said my risk of any event was minimal. However, he did pick up on the LDL and recommended lowering to below 2.6. If a doc says that, it’s best to follow it up.

I’m a bit annoyed and bemused my figures went up from total 5.03 to 5.7 and LDL from 3.2 to 3.4 in eight months, but it shows the numbers must vary on a weekly if not daily basis.

I’m pretty athletic (resting pulse of 50) so can’t do any more exercise without wearing out my joints. I’ll have to review my diet, and I could up my veg intake.

[Kev12564]

To revisit this as my GP gave me a freebie cholesterol test (plus an HbA1c test which was fine.)

My results were OK ish:

Total: 5.2

LDL: 3.4

HDL: 1.6

Triglycerides: 0.7

A heart consultant (following a routine check in 2017, my heart is fine) advised me to lower the LDL to 2.6. It’s stubbornly stuck at 3.4 for a couple of years (4 tests).

I wondered if anyone had good experience of lowering LDL naturally. I’m very active (triathlete), maybe 1 stone overweight but certainly not fat, don’t drink (not at all for 13 months), etc. Like most of us, I could up my veg intake, but I don’t eat much meat at all.