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  • Anyone here been told they have high cholesterol?

    I had my delayed 40yr old NHS health check, back in August. A month later, the GP surgery texted me to say that my cholesterol is high. Not to the point of immediate risk or requiring medication, but “read these hints and tips for a healthier lifestyle”.

    A bit pissed off, given I’m a light drinking, cycling mad vegetarian.

    Went for my 3monthly routine blood test the other week (I take medication for a chronic condition) and they accidentally tested my cholesterol again.

    GP surgery calls me the next day: “you came in for your cholesterol checking yesterday. Your numbers are high. Did you fast?”

    “Erm, I didn’t” “what about the other things that were supposed to be checked?” “Am I supposed to fast?”

    “For a cholesterol check, yes”

    “I didn’t want a cholesterol check! And that raises an interesting point that I wasn’t asked to fast back in August”

    Anyway I had to go into the surgery the following day, for a series of blood tests. My usuals and also a fasted cholesterol check.

    Turns out my cholesterol numbers aren’t as bad as first thought, but “…(Total cholesterol 6.5, LDL 4.5). It's a bit above ideal, but your total risk of heart problems/ stroke in the next 10 years is still well below the treatment threshold”.

    So I share this for two reasons. If you go for your health check, make sure you’re fasted for accurate results. I wasn’t told to fast and nor was it checked before they took my blood.

    And secondly… anyone in a similar boat? What should I do? I know my GP will say to exercise more and eat healthier. Things that I’m doing more/better than 90% of the population already.

    I don’t want to live like a monk.

  • Yes similar although I'm not veggie. some people just produce more cholestorol. It used to bother me but not so much any more. I take one of those cholestorol drinks in the morning and that's about it.

    Mindfulness and living in the moment helps a lot with this sort of thing, the biggest danger would to be to satrt to stress about it.

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