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Cholesterol/Triglyceride tests

Bluetit1802

Bluetit1802

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25,215
Location
Lancashire
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
I have just booked in for my annual OAP Health check, which comprises blood tests including a full cholesterol check. I asked for an early appointment as it is a fasting test. I was told in no uncertain terms that they (the Practice) don't do fasting tests for anything anymore. (I assume this excludes glucose). I insisted I wanted one because non-fasting can affect triglyceride results, but was refused.

I will fast anyway, just for my own peace of mind, but wondered if the goal posts are changing on whether fasting actually is necessary for triglyceride tests?
 
no point getting a nonfasting trig..who want's to know how much fat their breakfast yoghurt had? are they doing a lipid or just a total cholesterol and this is close enough?

but I want you to eat a heap of fat before the test, I still remember you're under 0.7 :)
 
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That's what I would do, they'll be none the wiser if you fasted or not, provided they still ask for a full lipid breakdown and not just a TC check.

I had the same trouble last year, a practice nurse I don't normally see said the same that they don't do fasting cholesterol checks any-more, on checking with my Endo (I'm type 1) they said that was nonsense and I needed to fast for the test.
 
Aha, I noticed this the other day when I was looking something up for another thread.
Before starting lipid modification therapy for the primary prevention of CVD, take at least 1 lipid sample to measure a full lipid profile. This should include measurement of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, non‑HDL cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. A fasting sample is not needed. [new 2014
Click to expand...
There are some circumstances such as very high trigs detected (10 and 20 mmol/litre ) that that then lead to a further fasting test at a later date and specialist referral or advice to GP.
http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg181/chapter/1-recommendations

and
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/clinica...cholesterol-tests-not-needed/20000896.article
 
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It seems the goal posts have changed, but the evidence still shows to me that trigs are affected by fasting/non-fasting.

My trigs:
2nd January 2014 (random) 2.01
14th January 2014 (fasting) 1.25

So a big difference in just 12 days.

My appointment is 2-30pm. I will have breakfast then fast. They always do a full lipid test.


jack412 said:
no point getting a non fasting trig..who want's to know how much fat their breakfast yoghurt had? are they doing a lipid or just a total cholesterol and this is close enough?

but I want you to eat a heap of fat before the test, I still remember you're under 0.7 :)
Click to expand...


:hilarious: LOL. My trigs in June were 0.7 and in September were 0.6.
 
good idea, I still have to do fasting tests here but then the French don't always follow what everyone else does
( it's the only country I know that uses g/l rather than mg/dl alongside mmol/l on lab reports and no talk as far as I know about changing to mmol/mol for HbA1c)
 
I had a fasting blood test yesterday for cholesterol because I refused to go back onto Statins - find out the results along with my latest hb1ac when I see the DN next week.
 
As a type 1 I always try and get in early on the morning for a fasting blood test, otherwise I'll be in double figures by lunch:rolleyes:

Good luck Bluetit and hope your cholesterol levels come back fine.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
Thanks @noblehead. So do I, or there will be another debate about statins on the horizon!
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I've been there but we agreed to agree that we would leave it to a later date, my TC had only just gone over 4 and that is what prompted the statin subject, that plus I'd just been given the all clear after having an angiogram.

If push comes to pull I would go on a statin if my cholesterol did get out of control, I've had two family members who have taken them without any problems and in both cases it lowered their cholesterol levels, but fully understand that there's some issues surrounding their use as some people do suffer from side-effects.
 
noblehead said:
I've been there but we agreed to agree that we would leave it to a later date, my TC had only just gone over 4 and that is what prompted the statin subject, that plus I'd just been given the all clear after having an angiogram.

If push comes to pull I would go on a statin if my cholesterol did get out of control, I've had two family members who have taken them without any problems and in both cases it lowered their cholesterol levels, but fully understand that there's some issues surrounding their use as some people do suffer from side-effects.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I've been there twice already this year, with quite good cholesterol levels in all aspects. We reached a compromise that she wouldn't nag me any more and we would review the situation at my next test - after which I never heard from her because the levels were better than ever. This is now my next but one test. We shall see what we shall see ......
 
Bluetit1802 said:
Thanks. I've been there twice already this year, with quite good cholesterol levels in all aspects. We reached a compromise that she wouldn't nag me any more and we would review the situation at my next test - after which I never heard from her because the levels were better than ever. This is now my next but one test. We shall see what we shall see ......
Click to expand...

I'm sure if your Trigs were 0.6 last time they won't be much change, well fingers crossed :)
 
@Bluetit1802 - If you're going to be having "the conversation", the Professor Sikaris presentation is really well worth another watch. Within it, he talks about the impacts of statins on the various components, including lowering the good bits. I watched it before going the other day to refresh both my memory and beliefs.

I'm sure you'll be fine.
 
AndBreathe said:
@Bluetit1802 - If you're going to be having "the conversation", the Professor Sikaris presentation is really well worth another watch. Within it, he talks about the impacts of statins on the various components, including lowering the good bits. I watched it before going the other day to refresh both my memory and beliefs.

I'm sure you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

Thanks AB. If my levels increase enough for my GP to have ammunition, I will be gathering together all the evidence before I see her. It's the Health Care Assistants that see us first to do all the blood tests, BP, weight, urine, and so on. Then we are referred to a nursing sister to discuss results. If the cholesterol has deteriorated I will get a phone call some time later to see the GP, so I have time to gather my thoughts. My HbA1c and diabetic review are also due in December, so I am going to ask for it all to be done at once.
 
I have been diagnosed with a slightly fatty liver, since being told I have tried to cut lots of fats out of my diet, I have really cut down on my cheese intake.
I was taken off my fenofibrate meds about six weeks ago due to muscle aches, I am really desperate not to go on Cholesterol medication again, I have a blood test on Wednesday and see the Dr a week after.
What do you think about controlling cholesterol by diet only.
 
You can just refuse statins, I do. There is a little box they tick on your record that you won't take them.
 
As @phoenix has stated the fasting for cholesterol is not seen as necessary now...
 
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