Private Online Cholesterol Blood Test - Bloodtest.co.uk

Cholesterol Blood Test

£38.00

Having raised Non HDL (bad) cholesterol can lead to a higher risk of developing heart attacks and strokes.
This test is ideal if you want to see how your cholesterol levels are doing or if you have high cholesterol and want to monitor whether you are improving your levels through lifestyle changes.

We need some cholesterol in our blood to allow our body to function healthily, however too much may lead to heart disease resulting in a stroke or heart attack for example. Having high cholesterol tends not to show any symptoms until it’s too late. In some cases a change of lifestyle may reduce or even prevent having high cholesterol.

Our cholesterol blood test will inform you exactly where you are right now, and repeated tests will allow you to track any changes over time.

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Description

Cholesterol Blood Testing

Our body’s need cholesterol to function in a healthy manner. It is vital for the formation of cell membranes, certain hormones and vitamin D.

Cholesterol is a waxy fat like substance which is transported around our bodies by lipoproteins which are produced in our liver. There are two major lipoproteins which are high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL)

If you have too much LDL (bad cholesterol) this may lead to ill health problems such as heart disease which may cause health problems such as a a heart attack or stroke.

Most people are unaware they have too much LDL (bad cholesterol) until it is too late. That is why a blood test to monitor your cholesterol is important.

HDL (good cholesterol) helps to return the LDL (bad cholesterol) back to your liver and be naturally removed out of your body. Healthy levels of HDL reduces your risk of heart disease.

Causes of high Cholesterol
  • Diet: consuming foods high in trans fats (often found in packaged snacks and deserts) and saturated fats (often found in full fat dairy products or fatty meats) may increase your risks of suffering with high LDL cholesterol
  • Lack of exercise: exercise may boost your HDL cholesterol
  • Smoking: may lower your HDL cholesterol levels.
  • Obesity: having a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 or more puts you at high risk of having high cholesterol
  • Alcohol: drinking excess alcohol may increase cholesterol
  • Age: as we age our livers have more difficulty in removing the LDL cholesterol
  • Genetics: In some cases family genetics may also be a contributing factor.
  • Health conditions: There are also health conditions which can cause unhealthy cholesterol such as , hypothyroidism, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, lupus and HIV/AIDS
  • Medications: some medications such as those used for high blood pressure, cancer, acne may increase cholesterol levels
How to help lower your Cholesterol

In some cases, adopting a change in lifestyle habits may improve your cholesterol level or prevent you from having a high cholesterol.

  • Diet: Aim to consume a small amount of unsaturated fats opposed to saturated fats. Instead of frying foods try to steam, grill, poach, microwave or boil foods. Aim to consume at least 30g of fibre a day, along with at least 5 portions of different types of fruit and vegetables.
  • Exercise: Exercise for at least 30 minutes at least 5 times a week. Exercise such as brisk walking, cycling and swimming are good to start with.
  • Smoking: Stop smoking,
  • Weight: aim for a healthy BMI (Body Mass Index)
  • Alcohol: Drink moderately aiming to keep below the recommended units per week (14 units or less per week)
Testing for cholesterol health

The test can be performed using a small amount of blood from a finger prick which you can do yourself.

How often should I have a cholesterol blood test?

We recommend checking your cholesterol levels annually. Or, if suffering with a high cholesterol and changes have been made with diet and lifestyle, retest three months later.

Other Questions

  • Regularly eating high saturated fat foods
  • Obesity
  • Smoking
  • Family history of high cholesterol
  • Inactive lifestyle
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Poor diet
  • Diet lacking in fruit and vegetables
  • Family history of cardiovascular disease
  • Drinking excess alcohol regularly
  • Having Type 2 diabetes
  • High blood pressure

This blood test is to check on:

  • Total Cholesterol
  • LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein)
  • HDL (High Density Lipoprotein)
  • Triglycerides
  • Non-HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) Cholesterol

For best results (if medically suitable) it is advisable to fast (water is allowed) 12 hours prior to the test which needs to be taken first thing in the morning and posted on the same day on a Monday, Tuesday,or Wednesday.

Collection method: Finger prick
Results available: 2-3 days after the sample has reached the laboratory.

Cholesterol

Your liver makes cholesterol and can be found in many foods you eat such as dairy, meats and fish.

There are two main types of cholesterol: HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) and LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein).

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in your body. They come from foods we eat (such as dairy, meat,oils) or made by our liver.

Any excess calories your body doesn’t need straight away is converted into Triglycerides and stored in your fat cells to be used when needed for energy.

LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein)

LDL is known as the bad cholesterol as it can block up our blood vessels causing them to narrow. Sometimes a clot can form and get stuck in these narrow vessels leading to a heart attack.

HDL (High Density Lipoprotein)

HDL is known as the good cholesterol as it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from your bloodstream. Higher levels of HDL are associated with lower risk of heart disease.

Non-HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) Cholesterol

Non-HDL cholesterol is your total cholesterol minus your HDL. The higher the number of the Non-HDL cholesterol may be indicative that you could be at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

How it Works

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1. Order and Receive Your Test

Order your Blood Test.
Receive it directly at home or work.
Delivered by courier with Free shipping.

2 Fingerprick Red 512w - BloodTest.co.uk
2. Take the Easy Finger-prick Blood Test

Activate your test online.
Collect 2-3 drops of blood.

3 Pre paid sample Red 512w - BloodTest.co.uk
3. Freepost your Blood sample to our laboratories

Use the pre-paid package to post to our laboratories.
Simply drop it into your nearest high-priority Royal Mail postbox.

4 Laboratory analysis Red 512w - BloodTest.co.uk
4. Our laboratory team run the tests

Tests are run by our staff in a clean and secure environment.
All possible measures are taken to keep Vampires out.

5 Secure online results Red 512w - BloodTest.co.uk
5. Receive Your Results within 7 days

We will email you to inform you that your blood test results are ready.
Login to your account to review the results.

6 Track your levels Red 512w - BloodTest.co.uk
6. Track your levels over time

With regular ongoing tests, you can track your results.
Check if you’re improving healthily or where changes could be made.

What’s In The Test?

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Home to laboratory kit
  • Blood Test
  • A prepaid return envelope (UK & Ireland only)
  • Two single-use lancets
  • One blood collection tube
  • One blood collection tube label
  • One plastic blood collection tube case
  • Two adhesive plasters
  • A cleansing wipe