HAVING YOUR CHOLESTEROL CHECKED?

Today, the business of quick testing of cholesterol levels at places such as hospital fairs and shopping. It is becoming common. Even your doctor may want to check your cholesterol while you're at the office for an unrelated appointment. How accurate these tests are depends, in part on how it is taken and what is measured.

Here are some factors to consider when checking your cholesterol:

1) The finger test, where a small amount of blood is taken from the finger and analyzed by a portable machine, can only measure your total cholesterol (see below for accuracy to cholesterol testing). It has value in screening for high cholesterol levels of genetic origin, occasionally found in children, or very high levels, over 300, in the adult. However, for most individuals this test is of little value considering the total cholesterol is a number which should be compared with other levels of fats in the blood.

2) A more complete blood test for fats is best, and Includes specific types of cholesterol - the HDL NO density lipoprotein), and the LDL (low density lipoprotein), as well as other fats called triglycerides. Always have this done after a 12-hour last (no food or liquid for 12 hours, other than water). This test, which is best done in the morning before breakfast, will be most accurate, as eating usually raises the level of certain fats in the blood. Non-fasting tests are inaccurate.

3) The total cholesterol is not as significant as the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL. This number, inferring balance, is one of the most important single numbers, and should be below 4S for women and 55 for men. For example, if your total cholesterol is 220 and your HDL is 55, your ratio is:
210 divided by 55 = 3.8

4) It is not unusual for two competent labs to obtain different results from the same person A 20% error is common, even within the same lab.

5) Other factors which may evoke errors should be considered.

a) With the finger prick test, proper techniques in taking blood and using the equipment are vital. The forger should never be squeezed for blood, as this causes dilution and inaccurate results.

b) With any method, the patient should rest for five minutes or more before blood is taken and the test should never be done standing.

c) Be sure the equipment used has been standardized as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.

d) Factors which Influence the results include time of year, viral infections, certain medication, recent weight loss or gain, and recent surgery.

Most important, any test which raises questions should be repeated. One final word: don't panic if your level seems high Too many people are frightened by the simplistic view of "above 200 is bad and below 200 is good." It doesn't mean that a cholesterol of 199 infers you're healthy and at 200 you're sick. There are many factors to consider. Even a cholesterol of 230 maybe fine, depending on all other factors.