Does anybody know how I could go about getting my blood tested to know my blood cholesterol + tryglycerides in the UK? It seems common practice in the USA but my diabetic father gets his blood tested regularly and he had never even heard of HDL LDL etc.

Would I just go to my GP or the nurse at my practice and request it? I don't think they would consider me "at risk" (I'm 22 and under 200 pounds) other than my father being at risk of heart disease.
So do you think I would be able to push for this to be done? Or are they allowed to refuse me? Any advice is appreciated, I'm totally clueless about this!

Following Dr Davis's blog post here
Don't be a dipstick"

I contacted the three companies he named in the comments section.
The only useful reply I got was from Berkeley Heartlab, Inc.
Who provided these details OF UK agents..


As none are near where I live I haven't followed it up but if you do I'd be very pleased to know what it costs.

I think if you get a cholesterol test in the UK it's just a TOTAL CHOLESTEROL with a calculated LDL.

I just asked the GP, but then I'd be consided 'at risk', but to the great annoyance of my doctor, my cholesterol and triglycerides were great, his words 'your numbers are better than mine'. I expect he wanted something to hit me over the head with.

Lee

Hmm, thanks guys. I think I'm going to ask my GP next time I have a check up and investigate those links, thanks Hutchinson.

Haha, thats great leemack!

I would also suggest asking your GP - make sure you ask for the complete set of numbers when they give you the results, as often they just tell you the one number without breaking it down into its various components.
And with your father being at risk for heart disease and you being overweight I can't see why they would refuse to do the testing for you. Mt GP seemed glad I was taking an interest in my health!

My husband got his results yesterday from his GP. I had asked him to have them print the full results out so I could see them. They did, but it took them a while to figure out how to do it as nobody had ever asked for it before!

That doesn't surprise me, Ena

Many of the health professionals I have met over the past year during my cancer treatment have been surprised when I ask for printouts etc. Usually they are also pleased that I am taking an active interest in the results.