Dr Refused Give Me A Cholesterol Test...?

[BedofRosesItAintII]

Went to the doctors to request a cholesterol test as both my parents have high cholesterol and take medication. I am in my 40's, normal blood pressure, don't drink apart from special occasions, eat very healthily.

Doctor said would not do cholesterol test as if I had high LDL cholesterol he would not do anything to reduce it.

I am planning to go to the local chemist to get a cholesterol test, but was wondering if anyone else has been refuse a cholesterol test under similar circumstances?

do you want to take a statin? remember they can be pretty nasty drugs.

Gp's are generally still using a "risk calcualtor" to decide who they should offer a statin to. its an outdated tool but essentially using factors from family history, smoking, cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, ecg changes etc. if your risk of having a heart attack/stroke in the next 10 years is more than 25% you should be offered a stain.

personally if my cholesterol was above 7 and i couldnt get it down with diet etc i would consider a stain.

think also what the implication of having a cholesterol result on record would be for insurance purposes etc.

But I don't know my cholesterol level as things stand as my doctor refused the test.

Surely it is important to have an idea of your cholesterol level if you have a family history of strokes, diabetes and heart attacks?

It might not make a difference to know? If you had a high cholesterol, but combining all your risk factors it still wouldnt be recommended to take treatment for it, then it probably doesnt make any difference to know.

I think that some pharmacies can do cholesterol testing.

I had a cholesterol test a few years ago as I have a family history of heart disease. GP suggested it, had no problems doing it.

I think if you are being proactive as you obviously are BoRIAII why they would have a problem with it? You are making an informed choice based upon FH, it would probably put your mind at rest at least.

so what if your risk was 24% and your gp refused a statin?
are you going to make even more lifestyle changes? are you going to feel guilty every time you have a chip?
remember your cholesterol level is only partly modifyable by diet: your liver intestine adrenals etc also make it.
how often are you going to want to get the test done?

My GP refused a cholesterol test for me in similar circumstances. I am in my 40's have family members who have high cholesterol and diabetes. It came to the forefront of my mind because DH suffered a mini stroke just weeks before my request. The GP said that looking at my BP, lifestyle, diet and height/weight ratio she wasn't sure it was worth testing me. DH is on statins now and to be honest I'm glad I'm not.