Testing cholesterol

[Steamtrain1958]

Hi everyone, I know this may be a really blonde dumb question to some people, but how can I find out what and check my cholesterol levels on a regular basis, without spending lots of cash, that I don't have? Many thanks in advance.

[MikePollard]

I'm assuming you have concerns and if so want to see what the numbers are. Then I assume, if there are concerns, you want to do something about it.

Go to your well man/woman clinic at your GP surgery and ask to be tested. This will give you a baseline from, should you wish, make lifestyle changes.

You could go back in 3 months and get re-checked. This will be enough time to settle into a new regime and see what changes have been wrought.

[sandybrown]

Hello,

Depending upon your age you can do a quick check at Boots the chemist. Some time you can do a free one at some super market or other chemists. you can buy a simple home testing kit.

The question is why do you want to test cholesterol? you may need a full medical check up!

You GP can arrange a full blood test if there is an underlying problem!

[Steamtrain1958]

To Mike pollard, and Bala

Thank you to both of you for your comments. Yeah I suppose it does help to have a bit more info, to be able to answer accurately. So try to cut a long story short.

Was took to hospital last August. They said I had a heart attack, was put on lots of med, one be for lowering colestrial. Then told not heart attack, but a cardiac spasm, caused by breathing problem. They said that my colestrial was 4.9 if I remember right, I am still on meds for both heart and cholesterol but just want to be able to find out if level has changed with meds and the mediteranian style diet. Have had bloods took since then but no one seems to be able to tell me?

I am very active and apart from working forty plus hours a week, which is a very active job I don't take loads of exercise, usually too knackered when I get in from work, and cooked dinner ect. I an also trying to gain a little weight, so don't stick to med diet rigidly. Just mid fifties age. Ok hope that's enough to help. I don't want to keep having to go to the doctors, and I live in Cornwall, so going to the chemist can be a bit of a journey as is the supermarket, some 16miles each way. Cheers June

[bruggen in reply to Steamtrain1958]

Why on earth would you want to bother with your cholesterol level, your body makes exactly what it needs, every cell in your body does this, it is life vital and you would die without it. My doctor is enlightened and suggested I look at a documentary called the great cholesterol con and statination, I now will not go near statins they do lower cholesterol and also stop the production of CO Q10 which is vital for heart muscle, there have been no controlled studies for this as it would involve harming people but there is no association between high cholesterol and cardio vascular episodes. The diet doctor and Zoe Harcombe have lots of information on cholesterol and interestingly how the test is carried out, it would appear to involve a lot of educated guesses too.

I also attended a conference where a very interesting talk was given by Dr Malcombe Kendrick, he hypothesised that cardio vascular episodes were the fault of stress raisers in your life, for me he debunked the cholesterol thing by telling us that if cholesterol was an artery blocker then why would it only block the biggest arteries, surely the smaller ones would block first and how come veins don't get blocked too, after all they are exactly the same structures? Also if cholesterol levels were so bad then surely the countries with the highest levels would have the highest incidences of heart disease, it's actually the opposite and is easily proved.

All food for thought, read more, get educated, and by far the most important is manage your stress levels, hope this helps, even if contrary to all other advice, it is all verifiable too.

You will find a lot of opinion to the contrary, I have a nurse friend who totally refutes my doctors stance so good luck.

[patch14 in reply to bruggen]

I totally agree with everything you say here and I saw that June stated she was told her C level was 4.9. I can't see why she should be lowering it anyway, as you say. As she has underlying health issues she should be giving her C a helping hand to aid her recovery! Advising her to read up on C and also her health issues will give her a good basis to discuss it with her medical advisors.

[patch14 in reply to Steamtrain1958]

I would discuss with your doctor as to why you are on statins when you have NOT had a heart attack and what caused the breathing problems. Are you asthmatic? You are a very busy woman and perhaps you don't manage your diet as well as you can, (we are all guilty of that!) - living in Cornwall tends to cut you off to larger medical centres and pharmacies but this is when the web comes into its own! Start doing some surfing, looking at Dr Kendrick's site on the Cholesterol con (a great myth buster) and look for advice on diet and exercise. Can you manage a 30 minute walk every day? Do that and you will see an amazing change in your mental and physical health. The best of health to you and all the very best for 2014.

[patch14]

Hello, If you are a UK resident go to your GP. Ring the Surgery and let them know you want a Cholesterol test done and they will advise you as to whether or not to have a starvation test. It can be done either at the GPs or your local hospital, usually early morning about 8 a.m. is a good time then you don't have to wait, and the results will be back in about 7 days. Ask for a full picture, not just the total figures then you can make an appointment with your GP to discuss them. All the best.

[2squirrels]

You simply go to your Doctors surgery and have a blood test, for the best results it needs to be a starvation test but say you want that. For a Cholestrol test you should be able to go to the nurse once a month or once every two months as it is slow to change plus eat a very healthy diet.

[Marion62 in reply to 2squirrels]

I was told by my GP 6 months ago that the new guidelines do not allow cholesterol tests anymore unless you have coronary heart disease or diabetes.

I had to change statins 7 months ago so don't know if I am on the correct dose. I used to be tested annually but unfortunately no more.

[2squirrels in reply to Marion62]

If you are on statins then your GP are not doing their job. How can you keep a check without blood tests. I have a kidney disease and routinely have blood tests every 2 months plus when I have an infection and each one includes a cholesterol test. If they refuse complain to the local trust it is your right.

[patch14 in reply to Marion62]

nterestingly I was told by my optician that yearly cholesterol tests should be done so that the info can be passed to them as eye examinations can show up cholesterol problems in the blood vessels of the eye!!

[Marion62 in reply to patch14]

When I saw a cardiologist 3 months ago I mentioned this to him - he was surprised and looked it up on his system - and said my information was correct. So no testing for me - but I shall raise the matter again with my GP when it is time for my annual test later this year.

[sandybrown in reply to patch14]

All,

Eye testing, very interesting!

A year before I was put on the diabetic register I had eye tests and it was OK, and I was asked to go on medication for being diabetic, I had eye testing because of dyslexia. I specifically asked it the testing is showing any cholesterol or diabetic problems. The answer was no!

Now days I do NHS eye screening every year without fail. So far all OK. Interpretation of results are very important.

We all have to be very careful on testing and results, accept it on face value or ask questions on the results.