I thought that only 40 and above year old need to have their cholesterol check. I just read that when one hits the age of 20 a once in 5 years check is needed. What about you? Have you had your cholesterol checked?

I've never had mine but I'm planning to. I also read that cholesterol checks should be earlier than 20 years. because some kids have high cholesterol but a cholesterol check is not part of their physical exams. Some kids may be at risk already without knowing it.

Yes, i believe even young people should have their cholesterol checked. This will make them pay attention to their lifestyle and start avoiding what's bad for them.

I never had but I am also planning to have my cholesterol checks. As early as now I think I should be more conscious about my health.

How often one should undergo a cholesterol test?

Over the age of 20, it depends on whether you have additional health problems. Certainly if you are Diabetic, for instnane, you should have a cholesterol test once a year.

A related question on cholesterol.

What are the normal levels of bad cholesterol and good cholesterol?

I think you should check your cholesterol over the age of 20 if you have a family history. or else above the age of 35-40 yrs. If you have coronary artery disease or diabetes then you have to have annual tests done.


Total blood cholesterol level:

* High risk: 240 mg/dl and above
* Borderline high risk: 200-239 mg/dl
* Desirable: Less than 200 mg/dl

LDL cholesterol levels:

* Very high risk: 190 mg/dl and above
* High risk: 160-189 mg/dl
* Borderline high risk: 130-159 mg/dl
* Near optimal/above optimal: 100-129 mg/dl
* Optimal: Less than 100 mg/dL

HDL cholesterol:

* High risk: Less than 40 mg/dl
* Desirable: 60 mg/dl and above

I am assuming here that LDL is bad cholesterol ( the lower the better) and HDL is good cholesterol (higher the better). Correct me if I am wrong.

alex - 18 August 2008 10:06 PM

How often one should undergo a cholesterol test?

Unless the doctors tell you otherwise, a cholesterol test should be done at least one every five years.

I think you should take this test at least once a year.

People who will tkae a cholesterol test will not eat for 12 hours. Meaning if your test will be around 8am in the morning you will not eat any food and you can only drink water but no sodas, coffee, tea and milk.

Even if you are as young as 20 years old, you have to undergo cholesterol test. Many of the teenagers nowadays eat in fast food restaurants and the food they eat there contains a lot of oil and fats in it. So better start to test every year even if you are only 20 years old.

I schedule a cholesterol test as part of my annual physical.

How often you get your cholesterol level check?

jim2008 - 12 March 2009 10:25 PM

How often you get your cholesterol level check?

If your cholesterol is high or you have other risk factors, your healthcare provider will likely want to monitor your cholesterol more closely. Follow your provider's advice about how often to have your cholesterol tested. He or she will set appropriate management goals based on your LDL cholesterol level and other risk factors.

My father has a heart problem and he was adviced by his doctor to check his cholesterol level every month. If you don’t have any heart problems, you might check it every 3-6 months.

My father’s doctor always checks his cholesterol level at least twice a month. My father has hypertension and since he had been in medication (for 1 yr now) he needs monitoring for each month.

You can also drink medicine to neutralize the cholesterol level. This is being prescribed to people with ldl and hdl level.

jim2008 - 29 April 2009 07:16 AM

You can also drink medicine to neutralize the cholesterol level. This is being prescribed to people with ldl and hdl level.

What medicines?

Lipitor is one of the medicines that can help lower down bad cholesterol. I think you cannot buy this medicine without any prescription.