Cholesterol Testing
As high cholesterol cases continue to rise, Amiry & Gilbride Pharmacy are partnering with London Medical Laboratory to make our tests as widely available to our customers as possible. We can provide you with a price per in-pharmacy test whilst you make your booking, ensuring you’re comfortable with the tests before confirming an appointment.
Cholesterol test
High cholesterol levels can be detrimental to your cardiovascular health, increasing the risks of blocked arteries, coronary heart disease, and even heart attacks or strokes. Our tests are designed to identify these risks before they appear, by assessing your likelihood of developing cardiovascular issues.
Once the test has been administered and your cholesterol levels have been assessed, we can provide advice on the lifestyle and dietary changes you can implement to reduce the likelihood of these health conditions and live a long, healthy life.
How do the tests work?
The most effective cholesterol testing method is done through a blood test, which provides all the information we need to find potential underlying health problems, or we can monitor current conditions for already-diagnosed customers.
If you’re worried you may be at risk, or you’ve already been diagnosed, or even if you’re simply curious, our blood tests offer fast, reliable, and cheap results that allow you to start taking the right steps for your health straight away.
We offer direct, in-store testing, so you get the luxury of fast and convenient testing without the hassle of being referred elsewhere. We ensure our testing is as stress-free as possible, ensuring you’re comfortable with the testing beforehand – with results available within a week.
Though we pride ourselves on the convenience of our service, blood tests alone should not replace a doctor’s appointment, and we highly recommend seeking a diagnosis before you begin any treatments.
What do you test?
Total cholesterol
Cholesterol as a whole is not as negative as common perceptions would have you believe, with healthy levels of cholesterol being essential for hormone production – in turn influencing our growth, development, and reproductive systems. Because these hormones are so important, it’s equally important to keep your cholesterol levels within a healthy range.
To measure this range, we check the total amount of cholesterol in your blood (total cholesterol), which includes low-density and high-density lipoprotein cholesterols.
Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) vs High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) This is where the confusion around cholesterol tends to originate, as people tend to associate high cholesterol with health issues. It can be confusing, then, to learn that HDL is actually classified as the ‘good’ cholesterol. HDL clears cholesterol from your arteries, specifically the LDL cholesterol – the ‘bad’ cholesterol that causes blockages and build-ups in the arteries, and the cholesterol you don’t want to be high.
Total cholesterol: HDL Ratio
This is the calculation we use to gauge how much ‘good’ cholesterol you have within your total cholesterol levels, which allows us to estimate your risk of cardiovascular issues like heart disease.
Triglyceride
This fat (or lipid) is derived from butters and oils, stored by your body for later use. Hormones eventually trigger the release of these fats, providing you with more energy in between your meals. Too much of this fat can put you at risk of heart disease, which is exactly what our triglyceride tests help identify.
Don’t forget, cholesterol is essential for hormone production, which means excessive weight-gain may also indicate hormonal issues and cholesterol issues coinciding.
FAQs
What are the different types of cholesterol?
There are two types of cholesterol, best remembered as the ‘good’ HDL, and the ‘bad’ LDL, with together form your total cholesterol levels.
What should my cholesterol levels be?
Tested in various measurements, you ideally want total cholesterol at 5 or below, HDL at 1 or above, LDL at 3 or below, and NON-HDL at 4 or below.
