Can I demand a cholesterol check from my GP?

plodder73

To cut a long story short, over the last 6/7 years I have had my cholesterol checked four times, the range of reults has between 7-7.5. I also have high blood pressure although not dramaticaly so. It is over 2 years since my last cholesterol check. I have been suffering with poor circulation over the last few weeks particularly my feet, my toes regularly go white and numb. I searched this online and found that a possible cause was high cholesterol.

I rang the doctor to ask for a cholesterol check and he basically refused, said that all my readings have been consistent and that a further check was pointless as it would probably bring the same reading. He said that despite the high reading my risk factor was still proportionally low because I exercise regularly etc.

He said it is normal to check everey 4/5 years so I have to wait another two years. Can I insist on a check and if not are these home kits any good?

Thanks in advance

busiscoming2

I believe most GP's surgeries offer an annual one for over 45's or thereabouts, so may be worth asking. I have also been led to believe Lloyds pharmacy offer them for free. Might be worth looking into.

VfM4meplse

How old are you - presumably 38 or 39?

You'll be eligible for a free health check when you're 40, and I can predict that your GP will stick you on simvastatin 40mg at that point for primary prevention. Would you really want to start taking it before then?

Have you discussed your specific concerns with your GP or just asked for a test without indicating why? Your circulation difficulties should benefit from exercise, regardless of cause.

plodder73

VfM4meplse Thanks for the reply, why did you assume I was 38 or 39 can I ask? I am actually 51.

lisyloo

I don't think you can demand it although of course you can explain your concerns to the GP.
You could check the Pharmacies at Tescos/Sainsburys.
I would personally rather look at that before a home kit.

VfM4meplse

plodder73 wrote: »

VfM4meplse Thanks for the reply, why did you assume I was 38 or 39 can I ask? I am actually 51.

73 - same birth year as moi.

At 51 you need treatment for your cholesterol. National guidance has changed in the last 3 years or so, it's high time your GP updated himself.

Btw most cholesterol in the bloodstream is not ingested, it's manufactured by the liver. Do make sure you watch the saturated fat in your diet though. I have always been conscious of manintaining a healthy, low fat diet and don't generally eat processed foods. I do however love chocolate and can easily demolish 100g (16 squares) just grazing. That is unfortunately the maximum recommended daily qty of saturated fat :eek:!

System

My GP sent me for a kidney/liver function test last week so i asked him if i could have my cholestrol tested too. He thought it was a good idea and said yes.

plodder73

Thanks that explains the 38/39 !. 73 is my house number! Going to visit the doctors tomorrow, why do I need treatment at 51, rather than 38/39? why does he say 7/7.5 is aceptable for me in overall risk profile terms?

Where will I find this national guidance or is it something that mere mortals are not privy to? Thanks once again

carlislelass

mine is down to 5.5, over that and he was concerned

willing2learn_3

plodder73 wrote: »

Thanks that explains the 38/39 !. 73 is my house number! Going to visit the doctors tomorrow, why do I need treatment at 51, rather than 38/39? why does he say 7/7.5 is aceptable for me in overall risk profile terms?

Where will I find this national guidance or is it something that mere mortals are not privy to? Thanks once again

Hi i've been looking into this stuff - depsite heart disease being the biggest killer in the UK there is no basic screening - but you can request a health check - it's just that most people don't know about it to request it.

I expect your gp was really trying to say that your cholesterol is consistent so no point keep checking it - but what I would want to do is find a way of lowering it and then another check would be justified.

If your diet is high in saturated fat - find alternatives, eg eat fish in sandwiches instead of cheese or eggs, etc. stuff like that - then request another cholesterol check when your diet has been consistent for a while.....also it's not just about cutting stuff out of your diet but putting good stuff in - so make sure you are having a minimum of 5 fruits/veg a day....if you are doing all that and still have high cholesterol i personally would request a full blood check....not just cholesterol and ask for your inflammatory markers to be checked too - that is c-reactive protein and homocystene.

There is a theory that cholesterol is no danger unless you are inflamed - then it sticks to the artery walls....so it may be that having high cholesterol per se is not the problem.

Once you've got your blood results back request treatment for any inflammation.....then if your cholesterol still doesn't go down then I personally would take a statin.

I believe you have every right to request this from your GP - and if they refuse look into your rights - i have never known my GP refuse me any test.....and I think you have reason to request this be monitored....but also understand that if it's your only risk factor it may not be a problem....like I said there it may well turn out to be inflammation rather than cholesterol that's the big menace and you might not have that. i would want to find out. Hope this helps.

plodder73

willing2learn.. many thanks for that reply, can I ask probably a stupid question what do you mean by inflamed?