one cholesterol test isn't enough to determine a patient's cholesterol level
January 1996
Experts are re-emphasizing that one cholesterol test isn't enough to determine a patient's cholesterol level.
Just like physicians wait for several high blood pressure readings before diagnosing hypertension, two or more cholesterol tests should be performed before diagnosing high cholesterol.
This is mostly because individual cholesterol levels fluctuate. The test itself can also vary...depending on the type of test, when the patient last ate, their posture when the blood is drawn, etc.
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