Private cholesterol test 2026: price, lipid profile, fasting

indekscen.pl editorial team · published 30 September 2026 · prices according to the 5 October 2026 index

A private total cholesterol test most commonly costs PLN 15, and half of laboratory price lists fall within the PLN 14 ‑ 21 range. The test is free with a doctor's referral. A full lipid profile, comprising total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides, is priced separately by laboratories and costs more than a total cholesterol test alone.

A cholesterol test is one of the cheapest blood tests available from a private laboratory, but also one of the easiest to overpay for: people may immediately buy an expensive package instead of a single test, or have to repeat the blood collection because they did not fast. We collect prices from public laboratory price lists and explain what to choose and how to prepare.

How much does a private cholesterol test cost?

A private total cholesterol test most commonly costs PLN 15, and half of the price lists fall within the PLN 14 ‑ 21 range. You will pay from PLN 12.20 at the cheapest collection points and up to PLN 40 at the most expensive. This is the median from 3 laboratory price lists collected by indekscen.pl. Details and sources are available on the cholesterol test page.

The same laboratory network may charge different prices at different collection points, so the difference between the cheapest and most expensive price lists can be considerable. Some facilities also charge a separate blood collection fee, so ask for the final price when comparing options.

How much do cholesterol and triglyceride tests cost?

Cholesterol and triglyceride testing usually means a lipid profile, a package comprising total cholesterol, HDL and LDL fractions, and triglycerides. A lipid profile costs more than a total cholesterol test alone, which costs about PLN 15, but less than purchasing each test separately. We do not yet publish a separate median price for a lipid profile, so check the package price in your chosen laboratory’s price list and compare it with the combined cost of the individual tests.

In many laboratories, LDL cholesterol is not measured directly but calculated from the other lipid profile results. A test for LDL alone therefore usually still means buying the full package or a separate direct test, which can be more expensive. It is best to ask your doctor which tests you need.

Cholesterol, glucose and full blood count: blood test price comparison

Total cholesterol, fasting glucose and a full blood count are three of the cheapest and most commonly combined routine tests, and they can all be performed using a single blood collection. These are their laboratory prices according to price lists collected by indekscen.pl:

Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

Test	What it shows	Fasting?	Typical price
Total cholesterol	amount of cholesterol in the blood	usually yes	PLN 14 ‑ 21
Glucose	blood sugar level at the time of collection	yes	PLN 14 ‑ 17
Full blood count	red and white blood cells, platelets	recommended	PLN 23 ‑ 29
Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c)	average blood sugar over recent months	no	PLN 56 ‑ 65
Liver function tests	liver enzymes	recommended	PLN 90 ‑ 110

You can read more about blood sugar testing in our article fasting glucose test, and about full blood counts in full blood count with differential: price.

Fasting cholesterol test: how many hours should you go without food?

Laboratories usually recommend not eating for 8 to 12 hours before a cholesterol test, particularly if triglycerides are also being tested, as their level rises considerably after a meal. In practice, this means having a light evening meal the day before and having your blood collected in the morning. In some situations, a doctor may order a non-fasting test, in which case follow their instructions.

What should you avoid before a cholesterol test?

Before a cholesterol test, you should not eat or drink sweetened beverages or coffee. It is also advisable to avoid alcohol and very fatty meals the day before. Follow these steps:

1. Eat your last meal in the evening, 8 to 12 hours before the blood collection, and keep it light.
2. Drink only water. Still water does not affect the result and makes it easier to collect blood.
3. Do not drink alcohol on the day before the test, as it raises triglyceride levels.
4. Avoid strenuous exercise on the previous day.
5. Take your medication as usual, unless your doctor has told you otherwise, and tell the staff at the collection point what you take.

Is a cholesterol test reliable after drinking coffee?

A cholesterol test taken after drinking coffee may produce an inaccurate result, particularly if the coffee contains milk or sugar, making it effectively a small meal. Even black coffee stimulates the metabolism, so laboratories recommend drinking water only before blood collection. If you have had coffee, ask the collection point whether you should reschedule the test: repeating it will cost another PLN 15.

Cholesterol test from a finger prick or a vein?

A finger-prick cholesterol test, using a test strip from a pharmacy or a home analyser, provides an indicative result. To assess risk and make treatment decisions, a doctor needs a laboratory test using venous blood. A laboratory total cholesterol test is also inexpensive, usually PLN 14 ‑ 21. If you find it difficult to reach a collection point, some laboratories can collect blood at your home for an additional fee of about PLN 70, plus the cost of the tests.

Cholesterol test through the NFZ or privately?

A cholesterol test through the NFZ (Polish public health insurance) is free but requires a doctor’s referral. A private test usually costs PLN 14 ‑ 21 and can be taken immediately without an appointment. The choice mainly depends on whether you are already planning to see a doctor. Here is a comparison of the two options:

	Through the NFZ	Privately
Cost of total cholesterol test	free	PLN 14 ‑ 21
Referral	required	not required
Tests included	as ordered by the doctor	chosen by you
Appointment	depends on the clinic	usually available immediately

A private test makes sense if you want to check your result quickly before an appointment or repeat the test after changing your diet. It is still worth showing the result to your doctor, as your cholesterol level is assessed alongside other risk factors such as blood pressure, blood sugar and smoking.

How often should you have your cholesterol tested?

How often you should have your cholesterol tested depends on your age, previous results and medical conditions, so it is best to agree the frequency with your GP. Adults without health problems usually have the test every few years, while people with elevated results, diabetes or heart disease are tested more often, as recommended by their doctor. If you are receiving cholesterol-lowering treatment, your doctor will set the dates for follow-up tests.

How can you avoid overpaying for a cholesterol test?

• Ask your doctor whether you need a lipid profile or whether a total cholesterol test is enough.
• Use a referral. A GP can order cholesterol and lipid profile tests free of charge, and blood tests are also included in preventive healthcare programmes for adults.
• Compare collection points, as prices for the same test range from PLN 12.20 to PLN 40.
• Combine tests in one blood collection. Cholesterol, glucose and a full blood count together still cost relatively little, and you avoid a second trip.
• Check online ordering. Some laboratories offer lower prices when tests are purchased online.

„Dieta w hipercholesterolemii. Co jeść, a czego unikać przy wysokim cholesterolu? Przykładowy jadłospis | od 15 zł”

ALAB Laboratoria, source

„Cena badania cholesterolu całkowitego waha się od 15,00 zł do 40,00 zł, w zależności od punktu pobrań.”

Synevo, 2025-09, source

„Cholesterol HDL, 12.20 zł, 12.20 zł”

kb.pl, 2026, source

Unlike individual laboratory price lists, we show the median from several sources and the prices of tests commonly performed together with a cholesterol test. Always discuss your result with a doctor. You can find more test prices in the health category.

The prices in this article come from public laboratory price lists and articles. Each price has a source, date and verbatim quotation on the service page.

Frequently asked questions

Can you have a cholesterol test without a referral?

Tak, badanie cholesterolu można zrobić prywatnie bez skierowania w każdym punkcie pobrań, płacąc zwykle PLN 14 ‑ 21 za cholesterol całkowity. Ze skierowaniem od lekarza rodzinnego badanie jest bezpłatne.

How long does it take to get a cholesterol test result?

Wynik badania cholesterolu laboratoria wydają zwykle tego samego dnia albo następnego dnia roboczego, często online. Samo badanie kosztuje prywatnie około PLN 15.

How much do cholesterol and blood sugar tests cost together?

Cholesterol całkowity kosztuje około PLN 15, a glukoza na czczo około PLN 14. Oba oznaczenia robi się z jednego pobrania krwi, na czczo.

How can you check your cholesterol level at home?

Poziom cholesterolu w domu sprawdza się testem paskowym z apteki albo domowym analizatorem z krwi z palca. Wynik jest orientacyjny, a do oceny ryzyka lekarz potrzebuje badania z laboratorium, które kosztuje zwykle PLN 14 ‑ 21.

What are the symptoms of high cholesterol?

Podwyższony cholesterol zwykle przez długi czas nie daje żadnych objawów, dlatego jedynym sposobem, żeby go wykryć, jest badanie krwi. Jak często je powtarzać, najlepiej ustalić z lekarzem.

Translation of the original Polish article dated 30 September 2026. Quotations from price lists are in Polish, as published by the companies. Read the original in Polish.

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