Cholesterol health detection health test (7 health indicators)-in store/ home

The Cholesterol Profile is a private blood test giving a complete lipid picture across 7 indicators — total cholesterol, HDL, HDL percentage, LDL, non-HDL cholesterol, total:HDL ratio and triglycerides — processed by London Medical Laboratory (LML), a UKAS-accredited ISO 15189 laboratory, and sold by Ways Pharmacy (UK).

Key facts

Who it is for

• Adults who want to know their cholesterol level, which can only be found out with a blood test
• People with a family history of high cholesterol, heart attack or stroke
• People who are overweight, smoke, or have other cardiovascular risk factors
• People making diet or lifestyle changes who want before/after lipid data
• People on cholesterol-lowering treatment monitoring their response, as advised

Not suitable for: people having chest pain or symptoms of a heart attack or stroke — call 999; use as a substitute for clinical assessment by a doctor.

What is measured

• Total cholesterol — the overall amount of cholesterol in your blood
• HDL cholesterol — the "good" cholesterol that helps clear other cholesterol from arteries
• HDL percentage — HDL as a proportion of total cholesterol
• LDL cholesterol — the "bad" cholesterol that can build up in artery walls
• Non-HDL cholesterol — all the non-protective cholesterol combined
• Total:HDL ratio — a combined measure used in cardiovascular risk assessment
• Triglycerides — a blood fat linked to diet, weight and heart risk

How it works

1. Order online and choose your option: an in-store appointment or an at-home self-collection kit.
2. In store: attend Ways Pharmacy, 77 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4ET, where a trained phlebotomist takes a venous blood sample. At home: a finger-prick self-collection kit is posted to you; collect your sample and return it in the prepaid packaging.
3. Your sample is sent to London Medical Laboratory (LML) for analysis.
4. You receive a written report with results and reference ranges, typically within 3–5 working days of the lab receiving your sample, with out-of-range values flagged.

Frequently asked questions

How long do results take?

Results are typically available within 3–5 working days from when the laboratory receives your sample. You receive a written report showing your seven lipid markers against reference ranges.

Where is the blood test done?

You can have the sample taken at our Holborn pharmacy (77 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4ET) by appointment, or order an at-home self-collection kit that is posted to you and returned to the lab in prepaid packaging.

Is the laboratory accredited?

Yes. Your sample is processed by London Medical Laboratory (LML), a UKAS-accredited laboratory working to the ISO 15189 standard for medical laboratories.

Do I need to fast before a cholesterol test?

For total cholesterol and HDL, fasting is not usually required. If triglycerides are a particular concern, some people are advised to fast beforehand — the pharmacist can confirm what is best for your situation when you book.

What happens if my cholesterol is high?

Your results are reported with reference ranges and reviewed before release. If your levels are raised, the pharmacist can explain what they mean and discuss diet, lifestyle and GP follow-up where appropriate. This test is not a diagnosis.

When to seek further advice

• Chest pain, breathlessness or stroke symptoms are emergencies — call 999.
• Discuss your results with a clinician; abnormal results should be followed up with your GP.

This is a private health-screening service. Results are reported with reference ranges and are not a diagnosis. Discuss your results with a clinician; abnormal results should be followed up with your GP.