cholesterol test

[Ilovetoridecamels]

I have a cholesterol test in 1 weeks time,amongst some other blood test being taken.
Both the doctor and I do not think there will be a problem with it,she is just doing a range of tests to rule out certain things.
I hate taking pills,and have never been sure of the validity of the test.
My question is,if I were to eat virtualy no fat between now and next Friday,would it make any difference to the reading.?
And am I right to alter my results,even if I can.
Thanks.

Eating virtually no fat will make no difference. If high cholesterol is a concern then the issue is most likely to be with the production of cholesterol by your body and not dietary cholesterol you eat.

And really, even if you could "cheat" the test, what would be the point? I have hereditary high cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia) and take simvastatin and ezetimibe to reduce it. I'll probably have to for the rest of my life as there was nothing I cold do to my diet that would make a significant enough difference- my body just produces too much of its own volition. I'm glad to have the chance to reduce it, TBH, even if it is by pharmaceutical means.

When your GP requests a cholestrol test it's normally a fasting cholestrol test in which you dont have anything to eat from 8.00pm the previous night up to when your bloods are taken at the clinic

You may drink water or even at a push black tea but defintely no drinks with milk. You need to do this to see what your resting cholestrol or baseline cholestrol level is. Why do you question the validity of the test or would want to alter your're results? Normally the test will determine the levels of LDH, HDH and cholestrol too to get a full overall picture. Surely it's better to take statins than run the risk of a premature heart attack due to clogged arteries if you were to have high cholestrol

I have low or very good blood pressure.
I am normal weight.
I am rarely at the doctors.
I had a heart reading last year,and was told my heart is in very good condition.
She said she is giving me a raft of tests to sort of give me a "well woman going over".
bakingaddict,I have not been told to not eat anything the night before.
I question the validity of the test because my mum was told she had high choleserol,and was put on pills,not sure if they were statins,and she is as thin as a rake.Though she does have some angina.

It doesn't matter if your as thin as a rake you can still have high cholestrol, in some people they just dont have a fully functional working gene that enables the body to properly process cholestrol. This is a form of hereditary high cholestrol rather than being through eating excess cholestrol

All cholestrol tests are fasting from the night before, your GP might have assumed you knew this but when the phelbotomist taking your blood asks if you've fasted if you say no they will not proceed with taking your bloods. Please phone your GP surgery to double check this but you should have been advised to do the fasting method otherwise you render your cholestrol result meaningless.

Thanks for that bakingaddict.I will definitely ring the GP to check.The receptionist was in a flap when making my appointment,and the GP herself did not mention it.
If my mum has a hereditary high cholestrol,I presume that means I might have it too?Do you know if it is more likely to happen at a certain age?
Fayrazzled,my mum has had to change her diet.She was given a sheet with foods in different lists.

Ilovetoride- I do eat healthily too, but because of the hypercholesterolaemia, making changes to my diet would not have made a significant enough impact. The specialist I saw reckoned dietary changes would only make about a point's difference- I needed to reduce my cholesterol further. Dietary changes therefore have the biggest impact if your cholesterol is borderline high, but of course, anyone should be eating more "heart healthy" anyway.

If your mum has hereditary high cholesterol, then yes, you might too, but also, you may not. The lipids specialist I saw told me he would like to test my children before they turn 10. Has your mum been told her high cholesterol is hereditary?

Oh and to echo the poster above- you don't need to be fat to have high cholesterol. It is perfectly possible to be "thin as a rake" and have high cbholesterol. And your heart could be healthy now- but the risk is your arteries "furring" and your heart being damaged in the future. Or you have a stroke. Not worth trying to "throw" the results of the test.

Not so far as I am aware.I would have thought she would have told me if it was,and hope she wouldnt have forgotten! I will ask her tomorrow.

Why would you try and alter the test results? This is for your own good!

Yes,I think I have come round to the idea of not trying to throw the results of the test.That is not very wise .
I will also tell my mum about the high cholesterol and being thin bit,as I think she resents taking the pills,but takes them to keep on the good side of the GP.

My colleague is as thin as a rake and has high BP Same with cholesterol
You do not need to feel unwell either to have to take these pills - remeber they are to stop a heart attack/stroke before it happens.
Some pills like anti-depressants can also increase your cholesterol.
I hate pills too I feel like I am taking them to help the NHS etc

If you don't actually want the test then don't have it! Statins are not always a fantastic answer and can have lots of side effects. My dad had a heart attack eight years ago and was prescribed statins as routine. He has suffered from depression ever since and last year was severely depressed and suicidal. His doctors took him off the statins and it's like he's a different man.

No medicine works for everyone- we are all individuals There are differnt brands/types of statins to try. No doubt more side effects will come to light but in the meantime they work on most people
In the end you and your Gp need to come to the best solution for you
All medicines are really a balancing act between undesirable effects and beneficial health results - no medicine is really "good" actually

"but takes them to keep on the good side of the GP."

A friend of mine is a doctor and she says that although statins have had a bad press taking them is infinitely preferable to the much higher risk of having a stroke. MIL has had to nurse various members of her family after they have suffered strokes and she is absolutely paranoid about having one herself.

Someone did tell me that it you exercise vigorously for an hour before you test, it will lower your cholesterol. Some people do not feel happy to take drugs such as statins, just to keep their GP happy!

Also read "The Great Cholesterol Con" by Dr Malcolm Kendrick for an alternative view of the dangers or otherwise of cholesterol, especially for women.

Dances do you think it's perhaps irresponsible to try to suggest ways of "cheating" the test?

Some people do not feel happy to take drugs such as statins, just to keep their GP happy!
This is such a silly comment to make- and one which echoes what the OP siad her mum was doing.
You and your dr should be working in partnership. It's not a case of "us and them", or doing anything to keep a dr happy.

The answer surely is- have the test, then see the results, then decide what to do next. Once someone has the information they can make an informed decision. Statins are not the only option- some people will get a reduction by diet and exercise.

I agree Amelia. Cheating the test doesn't achieve anything and gives a false result, which might put the OP at higher risk of a stroke or heart attack. I don't get people who don't try to understand why they need medical intervention to stay healthy.

No, I don't think that its irresponsible. For one thing, I don't know if it works!

I do think is is irresponsible for some GPs to insist on foisting medication on people, when in my opinion, the jury is still out on whether cholesterol is really harmful.
There is also the vested interest of the large pharmaceutical companies in the profits made from statins.

Please read The Great Cholesterol Con and then decided about who is irresponsible.

The other fact to consider is that the "norm" for what constitutes healthy cholesterol levels has gradually lowered over the years.
BTW, I am slim (now! Having lost 3.5 stone on a low-carb, highish fat eating plan!)

I have low blood pressure, I don't smoke (never have) and drink a max of 2 glasses of wine a week.

My heart is healthy but I also have highish cholesterol, but I'm not going to be losing any sleep over it, nor do I intend to start taking statins.

Dances well the choice- and the outcome- is yours.

People who are slim, appear fit and have good heart function can still have strokes- my mum had a mild one.

Point being- you don't have to be overweight or have a heart disease to be at risk. High cholesterol in its own can be enough.

Yes, there is controversy over statins as there is with many drugs. But the point is that you may be at higher risk without taking them.

Dances- this may be semantics, but I have just read the advert by that guy promoting his book; he talks about heart disease and heart attacks all the way through.

My mum does not have heart disease. Her heart is fine.

There may be numerous and complex reasons for CHD- genes, lifestyle and diet. But I doubt if anyone disputes that strokes are also caused by fatty deposits which calcify- and high cholesterol is a factor.

My friend's husband is skinny, runs a lot and has low blood pressure, but he has familial high cholesterol. Changing his diet and lifestyle made no difference, so he takes statins. He is a doctor and fully understands the risks of taking statins vs the risk of a stroke. He has found a statin that suits him and prefers to lower the risk of a stroke.

Dances unless you are medically qualified to make an informed decision I suggest you ask your doctor about alternativesr. No-one can force you to take any drug, but you need to try and listen both sides of the argument. I don't buy into the idea that GPs are only too happy to prescribe unnecessary drugs just to get a backhander from pharmaceutical reps.

I'd also like to add that, having looked at some of the quotes from the book, which are on various websites, the research he uses it quite out of date- 2005 is quoted for some stats. The situation could have changed. It is also possible that he has been selective with his choice of stats...ie the ones which say no benefit to women aged under 69.

Also, what you say is not the whole story. He concedes that for people who have already had a heart attck or a stroke, the drug is worthwhile.

Going back to your original point though Dances I do think it is irresposnible of you to suggst that anyone who may be at rsik, avoids seeking help or considering the options. The matter is very complex, and I'd want to make a fully informed decision based on all evidence , not simply one man's opinion and research. He may be right- but equally, he may not be. It's not your role unless you are medically qualified or have done a huge amount of research of all the stats to dissuade someone here from seeking help.

fwiw i have high cholesterol (6.3) and do not have high bp, do not smoke, have diabetes, etc and am thin. i know alot of HUGE people w.ith ch' at ie 4.9 (lucky sods). i go to the gym (should be there now really...) and am tring to bring it down by doing excersise and diet. i have just voluntered to be on a cholesterol lowering trial at Barts. they are desperate for people with high ch (they need about 60/70 people and only have i think around 13..). tbh it is a bit of a pain in the arse as i have to be 'fiddled' with for about 3 hours then drink some 'stuff' for 5/6 weeks and then go back again at the end for an hour. does't hurt and if they can find something that can help bring ch' down it'll be worth it :)

Thanks for all those messages.Yes it is me,camels,cant get namechange to work so never mind.
I have had the results,in case anyone is still interested.It came back as 4.5 which the doctor said is good,and she said I have a high number of lipos? which mop up the bad stuff which is lovely.
I did ring up the GPs receptionist about the fasting bit,and she said it wasnt necessary.But I did it anyway,just in case,but it wasnt needed.
I also asked my mum if she had been told that her cholesterol situatin was hereditory,but she said no.
I did end up,in the week leading up to the test,cut out a bit of fat.Nothing major,but a bit.So slightly regret that now,but I dont think it would have made much difference either way?