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Cholesterol is a particularly important fat (lipid) in the human body. It is used in all cell membrane construction, steroid hormone production, vitamin D and bile acid synthesis. Although cholesterol is absolutely vital for the body, its increase is closely related to the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. The human body does not have enzymes to break down cholesterol; there are a lot of mechanisms and stages to its metabolism, which are important to know and evaluate in order to detect the development of the so-called plague of the 21st century – atherosclerosis – which causes myocardial infarction and stroke.

Cholesterol is a parameter one must monitor, especially if there have been cases of stroke or myocardial infarction in the family. 

Increased cholesterol levels are found in patients with hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome (as a result of kidney disease), diabetes and different liver diseases.

Cholesterol test price

Service
Regular price Regular For clients who are not covered by compulsory health insurance
Cholesterol (CHOL)

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What factors affect the price?

The prices indicated below apply to citizens of the Republic of Lithuania and the European Union.
If you are coming from another country please check the price by telephoning or sending an email.

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Checklist for patients prior to blood tests

Good to know

How to prepare for the test?

For the most accurate result possible, some preparation for cholesterol and lipid profile tests is needed. Food, medication, even physical activity have an impact on cholesterol test results, therefore, it is recommended that the patient do the test early in the morning, having fasted for 10-12 hours and abstained from alcohol 3 days prior. Intense physical activity may distort the results, thus, the patient should not exercise in the morning of the test day. Stress might also have an influence, so if it is possible, it would be better to choose a calmer period in life to have the test.

Do I have to register for the test?

You do not have to schedule an appointment in advance, you can simply check in at reception and request to be tested.

How will I get my test results?

  • For the most common tests, the results will be ready in 2 hours.
    They can be picked up at the reception or we can send it via email at your request.
  • Unsure how to interpret the results? Call the lab, phone: (8 5) 247 64 17.

What do cholesterol test values show?

If the cholesterol level in serum is lower than 5.20 mmol/l, it matches the accepted cholesterol norm. However, increased cholesterol concentration is not the only factor causing cardiovascular diseases. The patient should be concerned about potential myocardial infarction and stroke, if somebody in the family has had similar conditions or if there are other equally important risk factors at play (increased blood pressure, diabetes, stress, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, etc.). 
If cholesterol concentration is between 5.20 and 6.21 mmol/l, then it is already close to a dangerous level. Correcting eating habits, avoiding stress and engaging in vigorous physical activity is recommended. 
When the total cholesterol is higher than 6.24 mmol/l, we recommend contacting your family doctor or cardiologist for additional testing, diagnosis and treatment.
It is important to measure not only the total cholesterol but also its composition—the ratio between good (high-density lipids) and bad cholesterol (low-density lipids).
The general cholesterol test does not give information about the proportions. Sometimes the total cholesterol value does not exceed the norm, but the ratio between the good and the bad cholesterol is unbalanced. Therefore, every patient would benefit from a lipid profile test, which enables an accurate evaluation of the cholesterol balance in the body.

FAQ (frequently asked questions)

A well-balanced diet, regular physical activity, breaking bad habits and reducing stress—all of these balance the body and helps restore the ratio of blood lipids and decrease cholesterol concentration. Regular cholesterol screenings enable the doctor and patient to detect the onset of the disease and start the treatment in time.

About 2/3 of cholesterol is produced by the body itself, the rest is gained with food. Increases in cholesterol are linked to excessive consumption of saturated animal fats, thus, it is possible to decrease cholesterol concentration by correcting the diet. 

  • choose lean meat;
  • eat more vegetables and fruit as they do not have cholesterol;
  • choose lean dairy products;
  • replace frying with stewing;
  • avoid high-sugar foods;
  • drink enough liquids;
  • eat dark rye bread with grains;
  • choose vegetable oil (avoid coconut and palm oil);
  • include more fish products, as omega-3 acid in fish helps maintain good cardiovascular system function;
  • choose soy products, oats, barley and other whole grains;
  • eat nuts as they are rich in plant-based protein;
  • incorporate products rich in unsaturated fat (olives, avocados, sunflower seeds);
  • eat foods low in salt;
  • eat avocados as they help increase the levels of good cholesterol and decrease the levels of bad cholesterol.
  • cheese (fermented)
  • mayonnaise
  • caviar
  • yolks (in chicken eggs)
  • butter
  • sour cream
  • salo (bacon), lard, cracklings

There are some myths that cholesterol-lowering medications are very harmful. The truth is, side effects are very rare. According to the cardiologists at our Centre, the benefit of using the medication greatly exceeds the risk of side effects. When prescribing cholesterol-lowering drugs, doctors prescribe periodic blood tests to ensure that taking a particular medication is safe for that person. The consequences of dyslipidemia left untreated can be fatal, therefore, cooperation between the doctor and patient and mutual effort to stop the disease from progressing are absolutely necessary. 

Medication is prescribed based on the cholesterol test results and on how much the cholesterol level has to be brought down; concurrent diseases are also taken into account. Sometimes the use of cholesterol medication is temporary and can be discontinued once the disease which caused the lipid imbalance is cured. However, patients who have chronic incurable diseases might have to take medication all their lives.

Even whilst on medication, it is crucial that the patients change their lifestyle and make healthier choices: watch their diet, be physically active, quit habits damaging the cardiovascular system, such as smoking and alcohol use. These measures help mitigate cholesterol imbalance.

Please do not postpone important decisions - take care of yourself now!

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