At what age should my child be tested for familial hypercholesterolemia?

People with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) usually have high total cholesterol and high low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) from birth. It is recommended that parents with FH allow their children to be tested for FH before school age. A confirmed diagnosis at a young age is important, as early changes in diet and eating habits can help reduce the impact of FH in later life. If a child's test is normal, there is no need to worry that FH will emerge in later years.