How often should one routinely have a ... - Cholesterol Support
How often should one routinely have a fasting cholesterol test done ?
My lipid consultant requires me to have one every six months prior to my consultation.
Hello,
In the last thirty months had blood test for cholesterol and blood sugar (HbA1C) every three months. This is because I was trying to control both via life style change. I also had life-line screening two years ago and this year. For the first time I had blue crest screening this year awaiting results. HbA1c values are down from 70 to 50, good, needs to go down to below 40.
Cholesterol having difficulty to control via life style change therefore has been on statin for nearly three months, total cholesterol has come down. Working on to bring cholesterol by life style change, very difficult because of age (67).
Reading a lot on cholesterol on the internet, the question is are NHS or WHO numbers correct?
Am going to try to ask my GP for a referral to see a specialist for both cholesterol and blood sugar to get a second opinion. Fasting Blood sguar level is higher then blood sugsr level after breakfast!!! Am looking for answers.
Will let you know the outcome.
Hi Bala, It's a b***** this age thing isn't it? Just when you think how well you're doing along comes a cholesterol test or a glucose test and the medics tell you how much more you should be doing, and they blame your age - as if you can do anything about it! They never seem to be satisfied. Personally I think your C numbers are fine but perhaps things are different when you throw the HbA1c into the equation. Good luck with the GP.
The reason that I had my first C test was through my Optician! My Optician remarked that I could have a shadow on my iris and sent me to an Consusltant at the local hospital for a more detailed eye test. All was OK, but he did ask if I had had a C test. I said no. He said that as problems with the arteries can be reflected in the health of the eye I should go and have one done although he could see nothing "at the moment". So, off I trotted. My starvation test was deemed to be "on the high" side although my HDL was twice the norm. It was during the following six months that I was tested privately for dairy intolerance and changed my diet accordingly. A year later, I trotted back to the GP for my "yearly" test (this is apparently the suggested time scale) and again, my levels were more or less the same but my HDL levels were even higher and my LDL levels lower! That was when I decided to read more and research more. I have not been back for a test since. I feel well, I eat well, and exercise daily. If I find I have symptoms of something I am not happy with I will go back to the GP. I don't intend to worry myself sick over figures that even the powers that be cannot agree on!
I'm answering my own question! Had a visit to my lovely doctor this morning to see how the blood pressure was doing. Happy to relate all going well [average over a week was 124/74]. I digress though: I'm convinced my health check call up last February was a direct result of my borderlline cholesterol test and I wish I'd never gone and never known. Last months visit to doctor she did the Qrisk algorithm with my numbers and it came out at 15%. She said that it's standard practise to put you on statins when the Qrisk rises to 20%. Given that it rises every birthday automatically, by the time I'm 75 I will be there. Hmmn - . However she did say not to worry about cholesterol, our bodies need the fats and especially she mentioned the brain. so that's OK for now at least.
I don't think that your Qrisk will inevitably rise with increasing age. If you have got your weight, BP, etc at a reasonable level and maintain it, along with some exercise, then what will cause your Qrisk score to rise? Glad to hear your doctor has a realistic view on cholesterol.
It would seem that it does rise with age and at 20% and you are on a statin. However there seem to be 3 different qrisk assessments online and I get a different figure from each!
Ha ha! That certainly shows that it's not a very good way of assessing your risk! As you say, the risk is shown as going up, but this strikes me as another way of saying ' the older you get the more likely you are to have a heart attack, whatever you do or don't do'. I will carry on eating eggs and bacon for breakfast.
You're right, what a daft way of assessing things. One thing for sure is we will all die sometime and personally I'd rather go out with a bang than linger on in an old folks home being a perfect pain to the family!! Ever since this scare I had in the spring I stopped eating cereal for breakfast and had a boiled egg instead, with toast and BUTTER! Daren't mention that to the practice nurse who tried to tell me to ration eggs. Can't tell you how I enjoy it and how I don't have any hunger pangs before lunch. Initially to try and shed some weight and actually have lost 2 stone. Feel great, Haven't gone down the bacon and eggs yet, but why not
Glad to hear you have ditched the breakfast cereal. Eggs are a great way to start the day, I like them scrambled in butter.
On a more serious note, I really despair of an NHS service that thinks you should ration eggs. How many years out of date is that advice?
Its for your Doctor to make that call based on the results after you first test but if you ever worry about it ask for one any time you feel like it. !!!
Hi
I was told last month by my GP that I no longer would have any more cholesterol blood tests unless I have coronary heart disease or diabetes.(National Guidelines apparently)
I had requested a test as I had changed statins and wanted to check my level was OK. - so I will never know if this new statin is working!
Marion.
Hi Marion, well how silly is that? Does he suggest how he will know if they don't test you?
