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Lipid profile · London

Private lipid profile in London, the modern cholesterol panel.

Total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, non-HDL and triglycerides - plus modern markers like ApoB and Lp(a) where they matter - interpreted by a specialist.

A stethoscope on a clinical desk

Indicative pricing

What a private lipid profile costs in London.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers and laboratories.

In short

£45–£90, with results in 24 hours.

Test or panel Indicative range
Standard lipid panel (TC, LDL, HDL, TG) £45–£90
Lipid panel + non-HDL £55–£110
Advanced lipid panel (+ ApoB, Lp(a)) £180–£360
Lipid panel + cardiology review £350–£700
Familial hyperlipidaemia work-up £400–£800
Post-statin monitoring £45–£90

Prices vary by laboratory, how many markers are included, whether ApoB and Lp(a) are added, and whether a phlebotomist comes to you.

The problem

A cholesterol number without context is not an answer.

Plenty of places will take your blood and email you a total cholesterol figure. Knowing what your target is, whether ApoB or Lp(a) matter for you, and what to do about it - that is the part that matters. That is the part worth asking about.

  • Worried about a result?

    Your clinician can explain how significant it is against your personal target and whether treatment needs to change.

What it shows

Find the panel that matches the question.

Lipid testing answers different questions depending on your history. These are the most common reasons people have lipid testing.

  • Asymptomatic CV screening

    Baseline cardiovascular risk assessment when you feel well and want a proper picture.

  • Established CV disease

    Monitoring targets after angina, MI, stroke or peripheral arterial disease.

  • Family history early MI/stroke

    Screening when a first-degree relative had a cardiovascular event before 55 (men) or 65 (women).

  • Statin monitoring

    Checking response to statin therapy and whether the dose needs adjusting.

  • Diabetes lipid check

    Annual lipid review in type 1 or type 2 diabetes as part of cardiovascular protection.

  • Familial hyperlipidaemia

    Work-up when cholesterol is very high, with tendon xanthomata or a striking family history.

  • Lp(a) - once-a-lifetime

    A genetically fixed marker of hidden cardiovascular risk, worth measuring once in every adult.

  • Red flag: acute chest pain - 999

    A lipid test is never the answer to chest pain now. Call 999 for suspected heart attack.

Popular panels

What each option is actually for.

  • Standard lipid panel

    Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides - the classic four markers.

  • Panel + non-HDL

    Adds non-HDL cholesterol, now the preferred NICE target for CV risk.

  • Advanced (ApoB, Lp(a))

    Modern markers that catch risk the standard panel misses.

  • Panel + cardiology consult

    Bloods plus a consultant cardiology review, with a written plan.

  • FH work-up + genetics

    For suspected familial hyperlipidaemia, including LDLR/APOB/PCSK9 genetics.

  • Post-statin monitoring

    Follow-up bloods 6–12 weeks after starting or changing a statin.

  • Post-MI intensive lipid panel

    Aggressive target monitoring after a heart attack, coordinated with your cardiologist.

  • Paediatric FH screen

    Screening children in families with confirmed familial hyperlipidaemia.

Preparation and practicalities

One of the safest tests in medicine.

Modern lipid testing is simple, but small things - alcohol, illness, thyroid function - can change a result. Follow the preparation instructions you are given.

  • Fasting is usually not required

    Non-fasting samples are acceptable for most lipid panels under current NICE guidance.

  • Fasting only if triglycerides rise

    A repeat 12-hour fasting sample is used when triglycerides come back elevated.

  • Continue your statin

    Take your statin as normal the morning of the test - the aim is to capture your on-treatment result.

  • Alcohol raises triglycerides

    Alcohol can push triglycerides up for around 72 hours. Avoid it for three days beforehand.

  • Acute illness lowers lipids

    Infection, surgery or a recent hospital admission temporarily lowers cholesterol - wait 6 weeks.

  • Pregnancy raises cholesterol

    Lipids rise significantly in pregnancy. Defer routine testing until well after delivery.

  • Thyroid dysfunction alters lipids

    Untreated hypothyroidism raises cholesterol. Thyroid function is often checked alongside where relevant.

  • Lp(a) - once-a-lifetime

    Lp(a) is genetically fixed and only needs measuring once in adulthood, ever.

  • Bring your prior lipids

    Trend matters more than a single number. Always share previous results if you have them.

Reading your report

A lipid report can look intimidating. It isn’t.

However many markers are run, the report follows the same four parts.

A UK consultant lipidologist reviewing a private lipid profile

A quiet reminder

Targets depend on your personal risk - reference ranges are only a starting point.

Ask the clinician who requested the test to talk you through it before your follow-up.

  1. 01 Header

    The indication and your medications

    Why the test was requested, and the lipid-modifying drugs you are on - statins, ezetimibe, fibrates or newer agents.

  2. 02 Technique

    Which markers were included

    Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, non-HDL, triglycerides, and - where requested - ApoB and Lp(a), with the lab methods used.

  3. 03 Findings

    Each marker against its target

    Every value compared to your personal target based on risk category, not a generic reference range.

  4. 04 Impression

    Read this first - normal, at target, or treatment change

    The bottom line: are you at target, and does anything need to change in your treatment.

Recognised by major UK insurers

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Frequently asked

Common questions about lipid testing.

Quick answers on cost, fasting, statins, ApoB, Lp(a) and familial hyperlipidaemia.

  • What does a lipid panel measure?

    A standard lipid panel measures total cholesterol, LDL (the harmful fraction), HDL (the protective fraction) and triglycerides. Modern panels add non-HDL cholesterol, ApoB and Lp(a) for a fuller picture of cardiovascular risk.

  • Do I need to fast before a lipid test?

    For most modern lipid panels, no. Current NICE and European guidance accepts non-fasting samples. A repeat 12-hour fasting sample is only needed if triglycerides come back elevated.

  • When should I test if I am on a statin?

    Take your statin as normal the morning of the test - the aim is to see your on-treatment result. A follow-up panel 6–12 weeks after starting or changing a statin is standard.

  • What is Lp(a) and why does it matter?

    Lp(a) is a genetically inherited lipid particle that raises cardiovascular risk independently of LDL. It is fixed by your genes, does not respond to diet or statins in a meaningful way, and only needs measuring once in a lifetime.

  • What is ApoB and is it better than LDL?

    ApoB counts every atherogenic lipid particle in your blood. Many lipidologists now consider it a more accurate risk marker than LDL alone, particularly in people with high triglycerides or diabetes.

  • How much does a private lipid profile cost in London?

    A standard lipid panel is £45–£90, an advanced panel with ApoB and Lp(a) is £180–£360, and bloods paired with a consultant cardiology review start around £350.

  • Do I need a referral?

    No. A lipid profile is self-referral.

  • How quickly do I get results?

    Advanced panels with ApoB and Lp(a) take 3–5 working days. Genetic FH panels take 2–3 weeks.

  • What is familial hyperlipidaemia?

    Familial hyperlipidaemia is an inherited condition causing very high cholesterol from birth. It affects roughly 1 in 250 people and dramatically raises the risk of early heart disease. Diagnosis combines cholesterol levels, family history and genetic testing.

  • When should I see a GP urgently?

    A lipid test is never the answer to chest pain, breathlessness or sudden weakness happening now. For suspected heart attack or stroke, call 999. A lipid profile is for risk assessment and long-term prevention, not acute symptoms.

Related tests

Looking for something else?

In practice, in London

How lipid profile tends to unfold when you go private

NHS waiting times for lipid profile vary by area and by how urgently the referral is graded. Some people choose to be seen privately instead; availability, cost and report turnaround vary between providers, so it is worth asking about them directly.

A private pathway for lipid profile usually involves a consultant appointment, any tests carried out at a CQC-registered facility, and a written report that is also shared with your GP. The format and speed of the report depend on the provider.

The right specialist depends on what you need - a second opinion, a definitive diagnosis, a bridge into treatment, or reassurance. Your GP can help you decide whether lipid profile is the right next step.