Non-fasting cholesterol test?

Cholesterol the tests you need to know are what is your HDL, your LDL and your triglycerides as well as the total cholesterol.

Once you have these people here will be able to hep you interpret them.

I would fast first - as it makes the results easier to interpret. Also if possible take a fasting glucose test at the same time as the Hba1C and blood draw. Once you have both your glucose and triglyceride figures on a fasting basis, you will be able to also look at how " insulin resistant " you are.

Don't worry too much about the details for the moment, you will soon learn what this all means!

In summary
hab1C plus fasting blood glucose test
Total cholesterol, LDL, HDl, Triglycerides
all of these are standard measures

You should also ask for a full lipid profile
that will give information for measures such as AST, GGT, Thyroid function

Finally if he is feeling at all generous ask for a Vitamin D test.

once you have whatever data you can get, someone here will be able to help your interpret it .

good luck

 

One of your issues can be resolved by accessing your records online. I get me results via "Patients Access
Take a look here:
https://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/thenhs/records/healthrecords/Pages/what_to_do.aspx

 

...It should not cost you anything for this service. I can also book GP appointments and order repeat prescriptions

 

They asked for my urine sample to be in mid flow from the first pee in the morning so getting a tube tomorrow wont be much use if they want the sample then and there unless you have kept your legs crossed!
If you can get a full lipid panel then yes fast otherwise the results won't mean much.
I would also highly recommend registering for test results online as
1. you can check and see hat they are without having to see the nurse
2. you will have a record of all your results for some time back
My surgery also included loads of other bits and bobs including the liver stuff but as we all know there is zero consistency across the country..

 

Sorry your profile said Coventry

 

Well if they won't/can't let you have online access then ask for printouts of every test result you have ever had.

 

This might help?
http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/lifestylewellbeing/Yourinfoobtaininfo

 

Fasting or not fasting lipids seems a common problem; as above,, if you want to know your trigs, they are better in fasting state; otherwise the cholesterol fractions are similar if fasting or not. It may be a bother for you fasting till 11.30, but would be risky if on insulin or sulphonylurea. And unless your trigs are sky high (>10), one would address the cholesterol first.
There is merit to a fasting glucose, but if you are testing an HbA1c, then the fasting glucose would give similar information, ie not generally worth going to a lot of trouble to do. A random glucose could be done instead.
You need your eGFR, renal function which is generally in the U&Es - none of these other tests need to be fasted.
If an annual MOT, I would check liver function tests, although minor abnormalities are very common, due to fatty liver, and a Full blood count as a screen, as an abnormal haemaglobin level would invalidate the HBA1c.
Vitamin D is a good idea, although one could just assume that everyone resident in UK is deficient, or very deficient.
If you were on metformin, I would check vitamin B12 every few years or if anaemia or neuropathy or memory problems.
It is disappointing that you have not been given clear guidance on this and that you get just 10 minutes with the nurse
Best wishes

 

I have tried this but can't get any further than registering with Patient Access which only allows me to order my repeat prescriptions and make appointments and I can do that on the surgery web site. To get access to anything else it says I need to complete a form at my surgery that I agree to my records being put online but at the surgery if I do that they don't know what to do with it as they have not got any information about it so obviously not many patients in my practise have applied to have their records online

 

Lipid profile will not give informtion re thyroid function etc it just gives info re total cholesterol, ldl, trigs, hdl and the relevant ratios
For thyroid function the endocrinology clinic request Tsh, FT3 and FT4
A full blood count is one my diabetes clinic routinely requests for everyone, alongside fasting glucose, hba1c, kidney function and liver function tests

 

This doesn't surprise me. I had a similar issue. First I was told by reception that it would cost me £50!! I spoke to the Practice manager and quoted the NHS guidelines. She then arranged for the details to be available at no cost. I did have to complete 2 forms and provide 2 forms of ID at the practice. It was quite interesting to see all my results from way back to 1998. I recently suggested to the wife that she gets access too. She was told it would cost her £10 . I think they try to put us off. If you look at the web page it is suggesting we all register. I now get my results before the doctor.

 

I will have a word with the practise manager if I can and see what she says

 

Best of luck!. As I see it by having my information online where I can have access to them frees up the practice from having me pestering them for my results.
Wow I checked again and I have details from 1978.

 

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