Familial Hypercholesterolemia

[Rhonabelle]

I just got my 23andMe results back, and the health report says that I have one variant associated with Familial Hypercholesterolemia, meaning that I'm at a higher risk of having the condition.

I've been reading about it, and it seems like high doses of statin treatment can be effective in reducing the risk of heart disease and heart attacks, if it's diagnosed before onset.

I know that NHS GPs won't refer you for genetic testing on the basis of 23andme results, but if I asked for a blood test to check my cholesterol, would they allow me that? (I'm 27).

I'm sure the GP can give you a blood test for that if you explain your concerns.Failing that you could have it done privately or even buy a kit to do it yourself.

I was diagnosed with this at a similar age, we have a family history and although I had no symptoms my cholesterol level was 11 when tested. I've taken statins ever since and my levels are fine now.

One thing that has been really difficult about having this as a diagnosis is that it's much more difficult to get life insurance and critical illness cover, even though my levels are that of a healthy person. If I hadn't been diagnosed, I could be walking around symptomless, but with a dangerously high cholesterol and I probably would have got insurance no problem. From a health point of view, I'm glad I found out before I had heart issues and was able to take steps to reduce my levels but the insurance thing really annoys me.