$Unique_ID{BRK02390}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{How Accurate Are Blood Cholesterol Level Tests?}
$Subject{cholesterol levels diet blood tested level testing fat heart disease
special procedure procedures lab test laboratory tests circulatory system
nutrition food foods diets diseases}
$Volume{P-7,G-26}
$Log{
How Cholesterol Levels Affect the Arteries*0002701.scf}

Copyright (c) 1992,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


How Accurate Are Blood Cholesterol Level Tests?


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  I am very conscious of my diet, and am trying to bring down my
cholesterol levels.  I am sticking to my diet as given to me by my doctor
without a single exception.  However, when I had my blood tested after 1
month, I actually gained 15 points going from 235 to 250.  I am very
frustrated.  What should I do now?  Please try and help me.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  Please don't quit now, you are most certainly on the right path.  And
this apparent set back in your cholesterol level, may not be one at all.
During recent months, physicians have learned that the fluctuations in the
levels of cholesterol found by blood testing is much greater than previously
thought.  It was always known that there could be some variation in findings
of different testing laboratories, and in fact as much as a 5 percent
difference (plus or minus) in the same testing site, but this has been
considered acceptable.  That meant that someone with a true cholesterol level
of 200, might test anywhere between 190 and 210, and this apparent difference
of 20 points had no real clinical importance.  Now it seems that there may be
much higher differences in the same person on different days.  Levels that
vary by as much as 20 percent were seen in more than 50 percent of subjects
tested in a recent investigation.
     That doesn't make your effort any less correct, it just means it is a bit
harder to evaluate.  You may need as many as three tests taken over a period
of a month or two to determine what your average cholesterol level really is.
Since there is no doubt about the relationship of blood fat levels to heart
disease, your efforts to bring your cholesterol below 200 are both correct and
commendable.
     You probably have made much more progress than your two tests indicate,
and now that you have the hang of maintaining a diet, it is no time to give
up.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.