Cholesterol Test - Help!

[sonofanarchy]

Hi all.

Odd situation. I had my 1st physical with my new GP this past Monday. Everything went OK, but she had some bloodwork done on me and my cholesterol (triglicerides specifically) were very high. I hadn't fasted before hand, and everything I've read says that not fasting can seriously spike the numbers up. Now, my doctor won't reorder another test for me.

Is there any place to go where you can walk in and get your cholesterol checked without your doctor's ordering it? I want to make sure my results are accurate and I'm not flipping out for no reason.

 

[sbtrfly74]

Do you have a Patients First in your area? I would try that and fast this time before you go, though they do say now that fasting isnt necessary and doesnt increase too much IIRC. But if your worried I would go there and check.

 

[sonofanarchy]

Looks like I'm screwed. Massachusetts law says you have to have a the request from a physician. My doctor won't do it.

 

[sbtrfly74]

I personally would be looking for a new doc if they aren't bothered by your concerns. Just saw that Patients First is only located in PA, MD and VA but they are great, docs onsight with testing and a pharmacy. My DH went there when he broke his buttbone

My doc doesnt even like me to drink coffee in the morning when I have to do my labwork.

 

[JaneBanks]

Do you have an Urgent Care near you? Maybe you can call to make an appointment for a physical.

 

[WDSearcher]

Hi all.

Odd situation. I had my 1st physical with my new GP this past Monday. Everything went OK, but she had some bloodwork done on me and my cholesterol (triglicerides specifically) were very high. I hadn't fasted before hand, and everything I've read says that not fasting can seriously spike the numbers up. Now, my doctor won't reorder another test for me.

Is there any place to go where you can walk in and get your cholesterol checked without your doctor's ordering it? I want to make sure my results are accurate and I'm not flipping out for no reason.

Had you been told to fast? If your doc (or the lab) told you to fast and you didn't, I could see the doc not wanting to order a second test, since insurance may not cover that (since you were the one at fault). If the doc or lab instructions did NOT tell you to fast, then you need to go back to your doc and remind them that there were no "fasting" instructions and, therefore, you'd like another test so that you can get accurate results.

If you were told to fast and didn't, you may also end up paying for the second test -- lab work as well as doctor's time. Your insurance may not cover it if you didn't follow the instructions the first time.

On the flip side, maybe ask your doc is the high number is something you should be concerned about. If you've been going to this doc for a while and s/he knows your general health and nothing else is looking odd, they may have simply written it off as a spike caused by non-fasting and they don't feel as though your history indicates concern.

You could always check with a local senior center or free clinic. They sometimes do free cholesterol tests once a month or once a quarter.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm surprised the person who drew your blood didn't ask if you fasted. When I get mine done they typically do.

 

[Turbanator]

Hope all goes well for you sonofanarchy

 

[PrincessKsMom]

If something comes back high, my doctor usually tells me to make a follow up appointment for six months.

 

[ols386]

I've always fasted before blood work for cholestoral.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

They are starting to question the necessity of fasting for cholesterol and glucose tests. Fasting doesn't give a clear picture of how your body is functioning regularly, at least according to my internist and OB.
Depending on how long you ate before the test, the fat might not have been in your bloodstream yet. And unless you ate something really fatty or sugary that morning, most likely it wouldn't make your triglycerides go that high.

I know when you have bad cholesterol results it is tempting to look for a reason instead of accepting the results and making lifestyle changes (BTDT). My mom tries to trick the test by not eating sugar for 48 hours before the test. It doesn't work, her triglycerides are still bad. My dad will eat a donut on the way to the blood test and get excellent results.

I think you should accept the results, talk to your doctor about any lifestyle changes you should make, and then do a retest when recommended. Changing your diet and exercise routine can do nothing but help you, even if the results were skewed. If you try to force a second test, you will probably pay out of pocket for it and the doctor visit to go over the results, and that could be several hundred dollars.

 

[Julylady]

I think you should accept the results, talk to your doctor about any lifestyle changes you should make, and then do a retest when recommended. Changing your diet and exercise routine can do nothing but help you, even if the results were skewed. If you try to force a second test, you will probably pay out of pocket for it and the doctor visit to go over the results, and that could be several hundred dollars.

I agree with the above statement. Its highly likely that your insurance will not pay for a 2nd test so close to the original one. Just go with your Doctor's recommendation concerning changing your lifestyle and then be re-checked in six months. Your doctor probably wants you to make these changes irregardless of what the test says.

 

[Gina]

They are starting to question the necessity of fasting for cholesterol and glucose tests. Fasting doesn't give a clear picture of how your body is functioning regularly, at least according to my internist and OB.
Depending on how long you ate before the test, the fat might not have been in your bloodstream yet. And unless you ate something really fatty or sugary that morning, most likely it wouldn't make your triglycerides go that high.

I know when you have bad cholesterol results it is tempting to look for a reason instead of accepting the results and making lifestyle changes (BTDT). My mom tries to trick the test by not eating sugar for 48 hours before the test. It doesn't work, her triglycerides are still bad. My dad will eat a donut on the way to the blood test and get excellent results.

I think you should accept the results, talk to your doctor about any lifestyle changes you should make, and then do a retest when recommended. Changing your diet and exercise routine can do nothing but help you, even if the results were skewed. If you try to force a second test, you will probably pay out of pocket for it and the doctor visit to go over the results, and that could be several hundred dollars.

I agree wholeheartedly with this. If your choloesterol is high, it's high -- fasting isn't really going to change that. From what my doctor has explained to me, they're more "big picture" tests, like my A1C test. Yeah, it sucks, but just ask what your next step is and take it. BTDT, but it took me a clogged artery and a heart attack at 44 to get there. Better you deal with it now.

 

[Simba's Mom]

My dad will eat a donut on the way to the blood test and get excellent results.

A man after my own heart! I love donuts! Just one question (not saying I'd try it, but....), does he tell the lab person that he has fasted?

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

A man after my own heart! I love donuts! Just one question (not saying I'd try it, but....), does he tell the lab person that he has fasted?

Nope. He tells the truth.

 

[pantherlj]

Hi all.

Odd situation. I had my 1st physical with my new GP this past Monday. Everything went OK, but she had some bloodwork done on me and my cholesterol (triglicerides specifically) were very high. I hadn't fasted before hand, and everything I've read says that not fasting can seriously spike the numbers up. Now, my doctor won't reorder another test for me.

Is there any place to go where you can walk in and get your cholesterol checked without your doctor's ordering it? I want to make sure my results are accurate and I'm not flipping out for no reason.

Did your doctor recommend anything to do about the cholesterol and triglycerides? Diet? Meds? just wondering. My triglycerides are very high too. recently started some medication after diet alone didn't fix.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Did your doctor recommend anything to do about the cholesterol and triglycerides? Diet? Meds? just wondering. My triglycerides are very high too. recently started some medication after diet alone didn't fix.

My mom's triglycerides are consistently high even with diet and medication. Her doctor said exercise us the best way to lower them but she wants no part of that. She's rail thin and says she doesn't need exercise. I know, I know....

 

[manning]

I get test for glucose (a1c) and cholesterol and all I have to do is not eat after midnight.

 

[vgrandy]

https://www.elitelabtesting.com

several locations in Massachusetts.

 

[Robbi]

Hi all.

Odd situation. I had my 1st physical with my new GP this past Monday. Everything went OK, but she had some bloodwork done on me and my cholesterol (triglicerides specifically) were very high. I hadn't fasted before hand, and everything I've read says that not fasting can seriously spike the numbers up. Now, my doctor won't reorder another test for me.

Is there any place to go where you can walk in and get your cholesterol checked without your doctor's ordering it? I want to make sure my results are accurate and I'm not flipping out for no reason.

Find another doctor and ask him/her for the test. Our doctor told us that drug companies have gotten whoever is in charge to lower acceptable numbers. He said they did this in order to get more people on medications.
I'd also fast because no matter what they say. Numbers will fluctuate throughout the day. It makes sense that if you're fasting and have a blood test first thing in the morning, your numbers will be lower than if you eat and have the numbers tested in the afternoon.