I've been reading all the threads here about non-statin ways to reduce my cholesterol and have learned alot. I want to try to lower my numbers without prescribed meds. It sounds as if many of you go and get lab tests done without a doc's order? I'd like to do that after one month of my own efforts, as my doc doesn't want to get new lab work until 3 months.

I've been reading all the threads here about non-statin ways to reduce my cholesterol and have learned alot. I want to try to lower my numbers without prescribed meds. It sounds as if many of you go and get lab tests done without a doc's order? I'd like to do that after one month of my own efforts, as my doc doesn't want to get new lab work until 3 months.

pasdetrois,

I haven't seen anyone post in here that they are getting their labs done without a slip from a physician. I think its pcovers, though, that has a home testing kit which allows him to test at anytime. If you look up his posts on it, you will see that there is a good bit of time to time variation. Checking your cholesterol more frequently will probably not give you that much more beneficial info than a quarterly check. Perhaps an analogy would be if someone weighs themself once a week versus, say 3 times a day--any benefit gained from the measurement is overshadowed by the nuisance of having to perform so many repetitive measurements.

For the purpose of monitoring cholesterol, I really don't see any point in having lab work done on a monthly basis.

As far as having your own blood tests done without the consent of a physician, apparently it can be done. Salvatore954 mentioned this in the Lipoprotein(a) thread on August 31st. He said that he orders all his own blood work, and doesn't even go to a doctor.

pasdetrois,

A couple thoughts.
Yep, pcovers gets strips (like glucose or keto test strips for diabetics) that test for each lipid component separately with a drop of blood...It's several dollars each so the method isn't cheap unless testing for one component (like HDL which is VERY useful info.)

Unfortunately for labwork you need a vial or two of blood so you need a phlebotomist too draw it...or a friendly non-squeamish nurse/spouse... I'll ask next time I'm near a Quest lab if they'll take blood "off the street.".

BIG drwaback for many is that with insurance the test is free if ordered by a physician and probably a couple hundred bucks if not!!!!!!!!!!!:eek:

As Arizona says, you don't need it often unless you are testing efficacy of supplements. Annual lipid testing would allow for only one addition or subraction a year...slow go!
(that's why we all love our guinea pig, pcovers:D.)

In the Sacramento area that I live there is a chain of labs called "The Lab". They do a lipid panel for $35. You can usually call late that evening or the next AM and get your results right over the phone.

Some drugstores also do lipid panels as well as a few other tests every so often.

I've been reading all the threads here about non-statin ways to reduce my cholesterol and have learned alot. I want to try to lower my numbers without prescribed meds. It sounds as if many of you go and get lab tests done without a doc's order? I'd like to do that after one month of my own efforts, as my doc doesn't want to get new lab work until 3 months.

You don't need a doctors prescription. There's a Foundation called www.lef.org and you can order from them. It's about $45. If you have a question about a particular test you can call them.

Thanks everyone! :p