Colesterol and statins

[CXRAndy]

Anyone used a home cholesterol test/kit ? I've not a clue but was looking to buy one for a family member..saw a few but thought I'd ask.

I used letsgetchecked kit about 4 years ago. Send vile of blood sample. Got results in a few days.

I also used their glucose HbA1C kit too

 

[Dogtrousers]

Think it's pretty standard to prescribe a statin for anyone who's had a TIA irrespective of their cholesterol levels.
Statins do more than just lower cholesterol. They can also stabilise existing plaques, and have a protective effect on the arterial lining, etc.

After my TIA I had a chat with the consultant about statins, and without going into detail, this was broadly the thrust of what he said. Not a million miles off anyway.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

After my TIA I had a chat with the consultant about statins, and without going into detail, this was broadly the thrust of what he said. Not a million miles off anyway.

Thanks to both of you that have said this

good to know there was a reason - I was not really in a frame of mind to ask much at the time!!

 

[T4tomo]

Its a whole can of worms, cholesterol levels.

The overall cholesterol number is not the important figure, its the HDL to LDL ratio that more important. Below 3.5 is excellent, below 5 is ok.

Also the triglycerides figure is important, it indicates how much free lipids(fats) are circulating around your blood stream, less than mmol/L < 2.3 is fine.

The key ration is Serum Cholesterol (so called Total Cholesterol ) / HDL Cholesterol (not LDL/HDL) and yes Below 3.5 is excellent, below 5 is ok.

Your HDL (so called good cholesterol) level should be above 1.0 for men and 1.2 for women.

 

[yello]

Your HDL (so called good cholesterol) level should be above 1.0 for men and 1.2 for women.

Looks like they say 1.45 mmol/L for men here in France. Mine's 1.34. That's according to my last results in 2023. My total ratio was 3.8. Triglycerides were 0.83. Looks good to me.

 

[Red17]

Not sure if anyone has already posted the link but Qrisk3 calculator can be found here.
Qrisk3
Interesting to play about with it to see what drives the numbers

 

[bobzmyunkle]

Interesting to play about with it to see what drives the numbers

Age - don't get old.
I did look into cholesterol on the good old interweb. What a rabbit hole that turned out to be. Anyhow last time I had mine checked my 'good' cholesterol was reassuringly high.
Retired now, the corporate world no longer cares about my health, no routine checks. I'll believe the last figures I got for a while longer.

 

[Wheelspinner]

Interesting comparisons... my total ratio hovers around 3.0 - 3.1, triglycerides about 0.7, yet I get lectured by the cardiologist to do more to reduce it.

 

[CXRAndy]

The key ration is Serum Cholesterol (so called Total Cholesterol ) / HDL Cholesterol (not LDL/HDL) and yes Below 3.5 is excellent, below 5 is ok.

Your HDL (so called good cholesterol) level should be above 1.0 for men and 1.2 for women.

My good cholesterol HDL is 1.9

 

[CXRAndy]

Interesting comparisons... my total ratio hovers around 3.0 - 3.1, triglycerides about 0.7, yet I get lectured by the cardiologist to do more to reduce it.

If you don't have any other complications then you're probably good to go. High blood pressure, cardiac and arterial issues it could be different.