Also known as: Blood cholesterol
Formal name: Total cholesterol
Related tests: HDL-C, LDL-C, Triglycerides, Lipid profile, Cardiac risk assessment
To screen for risk of developing heart disease
Adults should be tested once every five years or more frequently if being treated for high cholesterol or have one or more risk factors for heart disease. Children and adolescents with risk factors should also have their cholesterol level checked.
A blood sample drawn from a vein in the arm or a fingerstick
If you are having this test performed as part of the Lipid profile, you will need to fast for 9-12 hours before the sample is collected; only water is permitted.