High Cholesterol

[Annestree]

Just had a test and total cholesterol is very high (9). I've been asked to make an appointment with the GP but didn't make the small window in which to contact the surgery today and will have to try my luck on Monday.

I've been reading about it online instead.
What should I expect once I do get a GP appointment?

Hi, my Cholesterol is high, but not very high so I didn't have to go in, was just told to improve my diet.

From what I can remember from family members.

I would expect them to tell you about LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good cholesterol) what your results were for each, ask you about life style. Check your blood pressure and weight.

They will then advise you to quit smoking, drinking, loose weight, do more exercise and follow a low cholesterol diet full of fiber and low in fat. Depending on if your lifestyle contains risk factors. If they are very concerned they might offer you statins to reduce the cholesterol. If you BP is dodgy they will look at improving that through drugs as well.

Good luck.

Thanks, I just had a finger prick test today so only have my total levels and not the break down so I guess they ask for a further blood test?

My BP is fine, BMI is just tipping on the overweight. I love my comfort food and I'm a picky eater so I guess I'm seeing the result of that now!

Get it rechecked. I know someone who had a high cholesterol result of 9, had a healthy lifestyle and had a previously fine cholesterol. Recheck was 4 so before they start you on statins do make sure it isn't an error.
I'm surprised if it was done as a fingerprick they didn't automatically send off a sample for a lab check tbh.

Is this from an Our Future Health test?

Yes it was.

My Our Future Health pinprick cholesterol was a lot higher than the proper blood test. So I reckon your GP will request a blood test and full breakdown of results before they do anything else

Mine just wants to put me on statins. No helpful advice about any other route so I’m trying to work it out for myself.

Yes, your GP should order a proper blood test, not just finger prick.

They will want to know your risk factors like your weight, age, smoker, alcohol, family history.

I am over the threshold but with low risk factors so my GP is not prescribing statins yet.

I just need to get an appt with the GP now which will take a bit of effort as the demand is so high and the window to get the triage form submitted is small!

Try not to worry too much-although obviously do continue trying to get through to the GP. I think the Our Future Health checks have a bit of a reputation for telling people they have high cholesterol (and/or BP) and when they're re-checked, they're not as high as OFH stated.

My mum just had this with her BP, which was already high, and medicated. Then OFH measured it as sky-high. And like you, she really, really struggled to get a GP appointment...

I wouldn't even bother trying to see a gp yet, just book in with the nurse/hca and get it rechecked via a lab sample.

We cannot contact the surgery for anything, including routine appts, other than via the triage form. They only deal with admin queries on the phone or in person now. I'll fill in the form and see who calls me back.

I don't think you'll even get an appt. Mine was high and they just kept doing blood tests til one was only a little high. Absolute bullshit if you ask me.

When i said I had a high cholesterol reading from a finger prick test I got told to make an appointment to get bloods taken and got a full range of tests done.

I've not had my cholesterol one back yet but have been told I am deficient in vitamin B12 and foliate so I've to get a B12 injection and take B12 and folic acid tablets!