Private Cholesterol Testing at Right Medicine Pharmacy
High cholesterol does not usually cause noticeable symptoms, so testing is the only reliable way to understand your cholesterol levels. Right Medicine Pharmacy offers convenient private cholesterol testing using the PocDoc five-marker lipid panel.
The service uses a small finger-prick blood sample and provides your results in approximately seven minutes. You will receive measurements for five cholesterol markers alongside a personalised cardiovascular health assessment.
The complete service costs £35 and takes under 10 minutes. Book an appointment to obtain a clearer picture of your heart health without waiting for symptoms to develop.
Why Is Cholesterol Testing Important?
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that your body needs to function normally. However, having too much of certain types of cholesterol can contribute to fatty deposits building up within the arteries. Over time, this can restrict blood flow and increase the likelihood of cardiovascular problems.
High cholesterol can affect people who otherwise feel healthy. Testing may be particularly useful if:
- You have not had your cholesterol checked recently
- A close relative has high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease
- You have high blood pressure
- You smoke or previously smoked
- You have diabetes or another condition that affects cardiovascular risk
- You are concerned about your diet, activity levels or weight
- You have previously received a raised cholesterol result
- You want to make informed decisions about your long-term health
A cholesterol result is only one part of your overall cardiovascular health. Age, blood pressure, smoking, medical history and family history can also affect your risk.
What Does the Cholesterol Test Measure?
The PocDoc test provides five measurements rather than reporting total cholesterol alone. Looking at several markers gives useful context and helps build a more complete picture of your lipid levels.
- Total cholesterol: the overall amount of cholesterol in your blood
- HDL cholesterol: sometimes called “good” cholesterol because it carries cholesterol away from the cells and towards the liver
- Non-HDL cholesterol: the combined amount of cholesterol carried by lipoproteins other than HDL
- Triglycerides: another type of fat found in the blood
- Total cholesterol-to-HDL ratio: a comparison between your overall cholesterol and HDL level
Individual figures should not be interpreted in isolation. A result that requires attention does not automatically mean that you have cardiovascular disease, and a result within a general reference range does not remove every other risk factor.
The pharmacy team will help you understand what the measurements mean and whether you should discuss them with your GP or another healthcare professional.
How Does the PocDoc Test Work?
The process is straightforward and takes place in the pharmacy:
- A trained Right Medicine Pharmacy team member will explain the service and confirm the relevant details.
- You will complete a cardiovascular health questionnaire using the PocDoc system.
- A small capillary blood sample will be taken from your fingertip.
- The sample will be applied to the PocDoc lipid test.
- After approximately seven minutes, your five lipid measurements and personalised health assessment will be available.
The finger-prick sample is similar to the small amount of blood used for blood-glucose testing. The complete cholesterol-testing process takes under 10 minutes.
You can learn more about the technology and the measurements included by visiting the PocDoc product information page.
Do I Need to Prepare for the Test?
Do not fast or change your normal medicines unless a healthcare professional has specifically instructed you to do so. If any preparation is required for your appointment, the pharmacy team will explain this when you book.
Before the test, be prepared to provide information about:
- Your current medicines
- Existing medical conditions
- Previous cholesterol or blood-pressure results
- Your smoking status
- Your family history of high cholesterol, heart attacks or strokes
- Relevant lifestyle factors
Bring details of any previous lipid results if you would like the team to be aware of them. If you also want to check your blood pressure, ask whether the pharmacy’s private blood-pressure service would be appropriate.
Understanding Your Results
Your results will be displayed in millimoles per litre, normally shortened to mmol/L. The PocDoc system presents each marker clearly and combines the results with information from your cardiovascular questionnaire.
The pharmacy team can provide general guidance and explain whether a result appears to require further attention. However, the test does not diagnose heart disease, prescribe cholesterol-lowering medication or replace a full medical assessment.
Depending on the findings and your wider risk factors, you may be advised to:
- Discuss the result with your GP
- Arrange repeat or laboratory testing
- Have other risk factors assessed
- Review aspects of your lifestyle
- Continue monitoring your cholesterol at an appropriate interval
Do not stop or change prescribed medication based solely on a pharmacy cholesterol result. Any decision about prescription treatment should be made with an appropriately qualified prescriber.
Supporting Your Cardiovascular Health
If your cholesterol is raised, the appropriate next step will depend on your complete health profile. General measures that can support cardiovascular health include eating a balanced diet, remaining physically active, stopping smoking and limiting alcohol intake.
Some people may require prescription treatment as well as lifestyle changes. This decision should be based on an individual medical assessment rather than one cholesterol measurement alone.
For broader support with medicines you already use, visit our Medicine Advice page. You can also contact the pharmacy team if you are unsure whether this test is suitable for you.
When Is Cholesterol Testing Not Enough?
This service is intended to assess cholesterol markers in people who are not experiencing an acute medical emergency. It is not designed to investigate chest pain, severe shortness of breath, sudden weakness, facial drooping, confusion or difficulty speaking.
Call 999 immediately if you or someone else develops symptoms that could indicate a heart attack or stroke. Do not wait for a cholesterol-testing appointment.
Children and young people should only undergo cholesterol testing when advised by an appropriate healthcare professional. Contact the pharmacy before booking for anyone under 18 so the team can confirm whether the service is suitable.
Discover Your Cholesterol Levels in Minutes
Take a practical step towards understanding your cardiovascular health with a £35 five-marker cholesterol test. A small finger-prick sample provides results in approximately seven minutes, with guidance on what your figures may mean and whether further assessment should be considered.
Choose an available cholesterol-testing appointment or find your nearest Right Medicine Pharmacy for further information.