Translating HDL cholesterol reading to the UK reading

[oliveview01]

I´ve done a search back here for a posting I did regarding cholesterol readings. I´ve been re-tested today and my result came back as the HDL reading as 52 I looked on the conversion chart and it seems to translate to 1.34 (or thereabouts) which seems very low! Am I looking at the wrong figures?

[Enrique]

Hi Mermaid,
One you posted earlier

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=19661&hilit=cholesterol

[alisonb]

1.34mmol/l is quite good for an HDL cholesterol. Take a look at

http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/unders ... /test.html

If you want any further info, send me a pm

[yorkshirelass]

Hi

I have just recently had a cholesterol test done at the pharmacy in Torre del Mar (the one just opposite the bus station) I only got one reading and not the breakdown of HDL etc.Can anybody tell me where I can get a test done locally where I would get a full set of results.My husband had one done at the local medical centre and he only got one result and not a breakdown.

[alisonb]

You may find pharmacies offering HDL - you can in the UK, but it's actually quite a difficult test to do, and just cos you get an answer doesn't mean it's the right one. If your GP thinks you are at risk he can ask for a full lipid profile. If your total cholesterol is quite low, then you don't need to worry about HDL. HDL is good. The one to worry about is LDL cholesterol, which isn't measured but calculated as part of the full profile. To have this test done, you need to fast for 16 hours!

[El Cid]

To have this test done, you need to fast for 16 hours!

Not necessarily - the usual recommendation is no food after 10pm for a test next day - not necessarily 16 hours! Get an early appointment and have breakfast in the nearest bar!

Sid

[oliveview01]

I was muddling the HDL and LDL, that is how I was confused!
Spoke to the folk at Diabetis UK and they sorted me out muddle wise! I´ve now printed off the page where I can compare the readings and hubby has put a page on the pc for me for the readings.
Thanks for the info.
Previous to having blood tests done through the Dr (private medicine cover now) I had a private test done for glucose tollerance and a test for cholesterol at the private blood clinic in Antequera, it cost just 6€

[alisonb]

Glad I don't work for the lab at Antequera - not much profit in that. Maybe we should get them to take over NHS labs instead!

[gerryh]

Hi

I have just recently had a cholesterol test done at the pharmacy in Torre del Mar (the one just opposite the bus station) I only got one reading and not the breakdown of HDL etc.Can anybody tell me where I can get a test done locally where I would get a full set of results.My husband had one done at the local medical centre and he only got one result and not a breakdown.

You can request a test showing the full breakdown.
My first test at that pharmacy was a full test.
Normally they only do the test showing the combined figure.
If the figure is high then they will do a further full test.
Cheers
Gerry

[Enrique]

Hi,
Moving the goal posts ..............

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8353510.stm

[alisonb]

You don't need to fast for a total cholesterol, or even an HDL. However, most labs do not measure LDL cholesterol (the bit to worry about) but calculate it using total and HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Whilst the first two are not affected by fasting, the latter certainly is, and will give a misleading calculation for LDL if not fasting.