Cholesterol Test and PSA Test
Home Test - €149
As a laya healthcare member you may be entitled to claim some or all of the cost of your home test kits (subject to your outpatient excess). Simply log onto your dedicated Member Area on layahealthcare.ie and check under everyday medical expenses.
Because of the large effect that both heart disease and prostate cancer have on men, it is important to monitor cholesterol levels, which affect the heart, and Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) levels, which may indicate the need for further testing. This can be easily done at home with one simple test kit.
Heart disease and prostate cancer are leading causes of death in men. Heart disease and stroke are related to 50% or more of all deaths in Ireland, while prostate cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer among men.
There are several factors that contribute to the high mortality rate associated with heart disease - one of which is high blood fats (cholesterol). A lipid profile will measure your blood cholesterol levels and triglycerides. After learning this information, you can begin to take action to improve your health, as high cholesterol can be lowered by both dietary change and medication.
Click the button to get started and order your Lipid Profile and PSA Test today.
Which gender is the test for?
Males only.
What are the tests for?
The first test is a lipid profile, or cholesterol test, to measure the levels of cholesterol in your blood, which can point to your risks for heart disease and other conditions.
Your blood is also given a PSA test to measure levels of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) in the blood. PSA levels that show elevation over time may indicate a need for further testing for signs of prostate cancer.
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fatty substance which is present in every living cell of all of the tissues in the body. Although it is essential for life, high levels can lead to serious health conditions, including heart disease and stroke. This lipid profile, or cholesterol test, can help you understand whether you are at risk.
What is the PSA?
PSA is Prostate-Specific Antigen, a substance produced by the prostate gland in men. The PSA test, when combined with a digital rectal examination, may be useful in determining if further investigation and assessment of the prostate gland is advised.
Who should have the Cholesterol Test and PSA Test?
All men over the age of 40 years.
Why should I have the Lipid Profile and PSA Test?
A lipid profile, by measuring your blood cholesterol levels and triglycerides, will indicate if you need to take action to lower the levels of blood fat and so lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.
The PSA test is not specific or sensitive enough to be used as an accurate predictor for the presence or absence of prostate cancer. However, knowing your PSA level is useful, as levels measured over time may indicate a rising trend that needs to be further investigated. Therefore, the PSA is a monitoring test rather than a diagnostic test.
How are the Cholesterol Test and PSA Test done?
This is one test that is easily completed from the comfort of your home through a finger prick blood test using the kit provided. Then, the sample is posted by you to the Lab where it is tested for cholesterol and PSA levels.
How will I get the results?
The results of your lipid profile and PSA test will be delivered to your confidential medical file on the careoncall.ie website. The results will be assessed by one of our Irish-registered doctors, and you will be advised about whether further action is necessary.
What causes heart disease?
The three primary factors are tobacco smoking, high blood pressure and high blood fats (or cholesterol). Taking a cholesterol test is a big step toward determining your risk factors and taking action on your heart health.