Familial hypercholesterolaemia

[Puddlingly]

Has anyone ever been offered or had the genetic test for this in the UK?

Hi, I am in the UK and not aware there is a genetic test- great if there is (?). My family has FcH (similar to FH). My kids were started on every 4 years blood tests at age 7 so the NHS can track any changes with cholesterol.

DH is looking into getting tested for this at the moment as it turns out DFIL (who died 6 years ago) must have had it - we found out because other relatives in the extended family have it and BIL has discovered he has it. So he's going to get the contact details for the specialist BIL has seen and see if he can get tested.

My father has this but I was told I didn’t need genetic testing as my cholesterol levels were low. They said if I had the gene, they would be higher. I hope that is true as I was told my children wouldn’t need testing based on this.

@TenDinnerTiddles- yes this is what we were told too. My sibling and I were checked by the GP after my mum's early stroke and I was already high- sibling is fine. So then the hospital said my kids had to to have regular checks too.

PS my sibling is over weight and lives on convenience food! Life's not always fair...

I have this, we have had genetic testing as have my sons (they were 8 and 11 at the time). They also contacted my paternal cousins as it comes down my dads side of the family. We're in Scotland

PS my sibling is over weight and lives on convenience food! Life's not always fair...

Its definitely not. Me and my siblings were very ‘lucky’, despite my father having it, all 3 of his kids haven’t.

As well as my father having it, all 3 of his siblings inherited it too along with quite a few of my cousins. My fathers cholesterol was really high when he was checked after 2 of his siblings had heart attacks when they were only about 40.

Hope you’re keeping well.

I meant to say, of the two that had heart attacks very young, one was normal weight, average British diet, the other was super fit and lived a very, very healthy life.

I had the test as my cholesterol was over 11.

I tested negative.

I suspect that like 25% of the population I have something similar but less severe, a genetic predisposition to LP(a).

My total cholesterol level moves quite easily depending upon dietary choices. I reduced it from over 11 down to 6 or 7 in a few days.

Would this test be available on the NHS?

I've been told I have it. A consultant was insistent I have it but didn't offer any tests, just asked the same 'lifestyle' questions the GP did.

How did you reduce it?

Can you make any recommendations?