Cholesterol blood test · Plymouth
Know your cholesterol, know your heart risk.
A full Cholesterol panel shows the balance between protective and harmful cholesterol, not just one number. No GP referral needed.
Why test
High cholesterol is usually silent.
You can have high cholesterol and feel completely well. By the time heart disease causes symptoms, damage may already be done.
Knowing your LDL, HDL and Triglycerides helps work out your real heart and stroke risk, so you can act early with diet, exercise or, if needed, medicine.
Good to know
- Full Cholesterol panel with both ratios
- Results the next working day
- Fasting needed: 10 hours, water is fine
- No GP referral needed
- Prices are on our price list
Choose your test
Three ways to check.
Start with the Cholesterol panel on its own, or add HbA1c and more for a wider view of heart risk.
Total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, Non-HDL, VLDL, Triglycerides and both ratios. Fasting required.
Full Cholesterol panel with HbA1c, a useful pair for heart risk.
35 results. Full Blood Count, liver, kidney, full Cholesterol panel and High-Sensitivity CRP.
What is measured
What the markers tell us.
| Marker | What it measures | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Total Cholesterol | All the cholesterol in your blood | A starting point, but less useful on its own than LDL and HDL. |
| LDL Cholesterol | The type that builds up in artery walls | The main target. High LDL raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. |
| HDL Cholesterol | The type that clears cholesterol away | Protective. Higher is generally better. |
| Triglycerides | A type of fat that rises after eating | Often raised with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. This is why you fast. |
| Ratios | Total Cholesterol to HDL, and HDL as a percentage | Shows the balance between harmful and protective types. |
Right here in Plymouth
Local care, close to home.
Your blood test is at Tor Clinical Rooms, 3 Darklake View, Plymouth PL6 7TL. Free parking on site, and easy to reach from the A38.
Who it is for
Worth testing if you have…
- Aged 40 or over
- Family history of heart disease or high cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes
- Carrying extra weight
- Smoking
- Not very active
- Taking a statin and want a check
Before your test
Please do not eat for 10 hours before your appointment. Water is fine. Triglycerides rise after food, so even a small breakfast can affect the result.
Your results
What your results mean.
Your results come with reference ranges, but what counts as high depends on you. The same LDL might need treatment in someone with diabetes and no action in someone younger with no other risks.
If your cholesterol is raised, the first step is usually diet and exercise. If that is not enough, or your overall risk is high, a statin may be worth discussing. We can talk it through at a follow-up appointment.
Blood tests give information. They do not diagnose a condition on their own. We explain your results in the context of your symptoms, medicines and history.
How it works
Four simple steps.
Book online, by phone on 01752 938102, or by email at Hello@TamarHealth.com.
Book
Pick your test and a time. £25 secures your slot, and the balance is paid in clinic.
Fill in your new patient form
Once you have booked, we send you a form. Tell us which test you want, and share your medical history so we can make sure it is right for you.
Come to the clinic
Arrive having fasted for 10 hours. Water is fine. The sample takes a few minutes, and free parking is on site.
Get your results
Most results come back the next working day, by email, with a clinician summary in plain English. Anything urgent, we phone you the same day.
Questions people ask
The things people most often ask before booking.
Before your test
Why do I need to fast?
Triglycerides rise after eating, especially fatty food, and can read falsely high. Fasting for 10 hours gives a reliable baseline. Water is fine.
Can I drink coffee?
Black coffee with no milk or sugar is usually fine. Avoid anything with milk, sugar or juice. Water is always fine.
Your results
Will I definitely need a statin if it is high?
Not necessarily. If you are younger with no other risk factors, diet and exercise often come first. If you have diabetes, heart disease, very high LDL or several risk factors, medicine is more often recommended.
How often should I check?
If your results are normal and you have no risk factors, every 5 years is reasonable. If they are borderline or high, or you are on a statin, a yearly check helps you track progress.
What our patients say
Other ways we can help
Book your blood test
No GP referral needed. Most results the next working day.