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Abstract
Background. Analysis of blood lipids should be repeated routinely in many patients, and limiting testing to total cholesterol may eliminate the need for fasting prior to sampling, thereby saving time and money. The primary aim was to investigate the sufficiency of S‐cholesterol analysis (TC) in monitoring all blood lipids. Material and Methods. The results of blood lipid measurement in blood samples taken at a primary care unit over a 10‐year period were studied retrospectively, and the probability of TC predicting acceptable levels of LDL, HDL and TG was calculated. Results. Blood lipid levels from two samples in 518 patients taken within an interval of 0.5 to 3 years were accessible for study. If TC, LDL, HDL and TG levels were previously acceptable within this interval, a single acceptable TC was a predictor of acceptable LDL (97 %), HDL (94–97 %) and TG levels (96 %). Conclusions. In patients requiring blood lipid monitoring, it may be concluded that if TC, LDL, HDL and TG levels are acceptable in one blood sample, this is sufficient to monitor TC levels. If TC levels remain acceptable, there is no need to analyse LDL, HDL and TG levels more than every second year.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Martin Gellerstedt for statistical advice from the start. Thanks also to Håkan Stakeberg for his good advice. The Västra Götaland medical executive board and primary health care in Fyrbodal contributed financially.