Serum Total Cholesterol

Specimen Required

3-5cc Clotted Blood or Serum

Fasting Required

Purpose of the Test

To screen for risk of developing cardiovascular disease (disease, of heart and blood circulation) or to monitor treatment with cholesterol modifying drugs.

When this test is required

Your GP should invite you for an NHS health check once every five years from the age of 40 to 74. The NHS health check is designed to prevent cardiovascular disease and includes a cholesterol test.It may be checked if you have risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as: Family history of high cholesterol or heart disease in close relatives. Being overweight or obese. Diabetes mellitus High blood pressure (hypertension) Smoking cigarettesIt maybe checked at intervals if you have been prescribed treatments to help lower your cholesterol, such as statins.

What the Test Detects

Cholesterol is a substance that is essential for formation of cell membranes, hormones and bile acids. Cholesterol comes both from your diet and the production of cholesterol in the liver. Cholesterol and other lipids are carried in the blood attached to proteins, forming particles known as lipoproteins. Two different types of cholesterol are:LDL cholesterol is part of low density lipoprotein.This is often called bad cholesterol,…Cholesterol is a substance that is essential for formation of cell membranes, hormones and bile acids. Cholesterol comes both from your diet and the production of cholesterol in the liver. Cholesterol and other lipids are carried in the blood attached to proteins, forming particles known as lipoproteins. Two different types of cholesterol are:LDL cholesterol is part of low density lipoprotein.This is often called bad cholesterol, because if there’s too much LDL cholesterol in your blood it can build up in the arteries, clogging them up. HDL cholesterol is part of high density lipoprotein.This is often called good cholesterol because it helps prevent disease by carrying cholesterol away from the cells, back to the liver, where it can be broken down and removed from the body. Total cholesterol refers to the overall level of cholesterol. Non-HDL cholesterol is the total cholesterol minus the HDL cholesterol and ideally should be as low as possible. TC:HDL ratio is a ratio of HDL compared to the total cholesterol. This should be as low as possible. Above 6 is considered high. Interpreting your resultsYour cholesterol results should be interpreted in relation to other risk factors . Because of other risk factors or medical conditions, your doctor may recommend lowering your cholesterol level. See MoreSee Less

Preparation for the Test

No fasting is needed for a cholesterol test.Sometimes a fasting sample is required for a full lipid profile including cholesterol.

Sample Requirements

Testing for cholesterol requires a blood sample. Most often, the blood sample is collected from a vein in the arm or by a fingerprick.To obtain an accurate result, it is better to have your cholesterol tested by a professional than to use a home cholesterol test.

Additional Notes

There is a condition which runs in families called “familial hypercholesterolaemia” in which cholesterol is usually over 7.5 mmol/L in adults.Cholesterol is temporarily low during acute illness, immediately following a heart attack, or during stress (like from surgery or an accident). To get a true representation of your cholesterol, you should wait at least six weeks after any illness before having it measured.In women, cholesterol is high during pregnancy. Women should wait at least six weeks after the baby is born to have cholesterol measured.Some drugs that are known to increase cholesterol levels include oral corticosteroids, beta blockers, oral contraceptives, thiazide diuretics, oral retinoids and phenytoin.A very low cholesterol is often seen when there is an existing problem like malnutrition, liver disease, or cancer. However there is no evidence that low cholesterol causes any of these problems.

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