Dr. Michael Davidson Calls New Cholesterol Test “Reasonable”

Cholesterol levels are important for heart health

If you’ve ever had your cholesterol levels tested, you know that there are three numbers you need to be concerned with: your level of HDL (good cholesterol), your level of LDL (bad cholesterol) and your total cholesterol level.

But according to a story released by CBS News today,

” Increasingly, doctors are going beyond standard cholesterol counts, using another test to take a closer look at the bad fats – a count of particles that carry LDL through the blood.” (CBS)

Dr. Michael Davidson, Committee Chair of the National Lipid Association, said the new test is “reasonable to assess which at-risk patients might need to start or intensify cholesterol treatment.” (CBS) This is because, in cases where a patient may have a low level of LDL, the particle level may be high.

Before asking your physician to tack this new test on to your profile, consider the following:

• The meeting of the National Lipid Association in which the new test was deemed to be “reasonable” was paid for by eight pharmaceutical companies, including the makers of the test.
• The new test adds an additional $150-$200 to the cost of a regular lipid profile.
• No major heart organizations recommend the test at this point.
• A look at triglycerides, already a standard part of cholesterol testing, can also reveal hidden risk in a patient whose LDL level is low.

To learn more about what cholesterol test is right for you, schedule an appointment with your cardiologist and make sure to consult our Cholesterol Patient Guide before your visit.