{"product_id":"paul-d-thompson-cholesterol-check-frequency-4","title":"How often to check your cholesterol 4","description":"\u003ch1\u003eCholesterol Testing: First Checks, Treatment Response, and Follow-Up\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eJump To Section\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#first-cholesterol-check\"\u003eThe first cholesterol check\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#adult-retesting\"\u003eRepeat testing in adulthood\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#changes-in-cholesterol\"\u003eChanges that may affect cholesterol\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#starting-medication\"\u003eChecking the response to medication\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#stable-treatment\"\u003eFollow-up during stable treatment\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#full-transcript\"\u003eFull Transcript\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"first-cholesterol-check\"\u003eThe first cholesterol check\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCholesterol testing serves different purposes at different stages of life. Asked by Dr. Anton Titov, MD, how often a person should be tested, cardiologist Dr. Paul D. Thompson, MD, begins with the importance of identifying a high level early.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe recommends a first check during the teenage years, around puberty. His concern is an inherited tendency to high cholesterol that might otherwise go unnoticed. He connects this with cumulative exposure: how many years a person spends with a high cholesterol level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"adult-retesting\"\u003eRepeat testing in adulthood\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRepeat cholesterol testing does not necessarily mean annual testing for every untreated adult, in Dr. Thompson's account. He says levels often remain fairly stable after an initial measurement. He recommends another check in adulthood and keeping an eye on the result, rather than automatically repeating the test every year regardless of context.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"changes-in-cholesterol\"\u003eChanges that may affect cholesterol\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChanges in diet and life stage are part of that context. Dr. Thompson notes that a radical dietary change can affect the result. He also points out that women can experience changes in cholesterol levels during menopause. His explanation separates a stable result from circumstances in which the earlier measurement may no longer describe the current situation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"starting-medication\"\u003eChecking the response to medication\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStarting cholesterol medication changes the purpose of follow-up. Dr. Thompson says that a statin's effect begins quickly and that the cholesterol reduction is close to its maximum within two weeks. In his own practice, he generally measures cholesterol about three weeks after starting a patient on medication.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe also describes this early follow-up as roughly three weeks to a month after treatment starts. The point is to assess the response soon after the medication is introduced, rather than waiting for the next routine annual test.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"stable-treatment\"\u003eFollow-up during stable treatment\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStable treatment involves a different testing interval. Once the medication dose and cholesterol result are where he wants them, Dr. Thompson says he generally checks patients yearly, rather than monthly or every six months. He qualifies that approach by referring to patients who remain on the same medications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese intervals describe the approach he explains in this interview. His central distinction is between detecting an overlooked high level, assessing a new treatment, and monitoring an established treatment regimen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"full-transcript\"\u003eFull Transcript\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Anton Titov, MD:\u003c\/strong\u003e How often should I get my cholesterol checked?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Paul D. Thompson, MD:\u003c\/strong\u003e How often you get your cholesterol checked depends. First of all, you ought to get it checked sometime during your teens or so to figure out if you have a problem. We talked a little bit about pack years of cholesterol.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Paul D. Thompson, MD:\u003c\/strong\u003e In other words, how many years you have a high cholesterol level. If somebody inherited the wrong genes, it is nice to know that in childhood, so you ought to get it checked sometime about puberty at least. Once you get your cholesterol level checked, it does not change that much unless you make a radical change in your diet or a radical change in something else.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Paul D. Thompson, MD:\u003c\/strong\u003e Women, when they go through menopause, can often have changes in their cholesterol levels. You need to get it checked when you are an adult. You do not need to have it repeated every year and all that sort of stuff, but you should keep an eye on it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Paul D. Thompson, MD:\u003c\/strong\u003e The most important thing is: how often should you get it checked when you get treated with medicines? Believe it or not, when you start a cholesterol medicine like a statin, the effect is almost immediate. Within two weeks, you have got about the maximum reduction in cholesterol level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Paul D. Thompson, MD:\u003c\/strong\u003e I usually wait about three weeks after I start a patient on a medication, and then I measure the cholesterol level. Then I check them, not monthly, not every six months. I check people generally every year once I get them on a decent drug level and have that cholesterol level where I want it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Paul D. Thompson, MD:\u003c\/strong\u003e What are the rules? Get it checked sometime around puberty to make sure that you do not have a high level that is being missed. Then get it checked when you are an adult, when you have your physical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Paul D. Thompson, MD:\u003c\/strong\u003e If you get put on a medicine, have it checked soon after you go on that medicine, like three weeks to a month. Then have it checked every year or so, as long as you are on the same medications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Diagnostic Detectives Network","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48388494065820,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"KRW","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0599\/5449\/5644\/files\/2225146778-fd60343307257737b3faf7bcb4ea111e7755353faccbbf7eb7f5e3ec658445d0-d_1920x1080_83101746-a27c-40c1-9c48-1d90f12a76da.jpg?v=1794435336","url":"https:\/\/diagnosticdetectives.kr\/products\/paul-d-thompson-cholesterol-check-frequency-4","provider":"DiagnosticDetectives.Com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}