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If you are looking for a cholesterol test that provides the kind of accuracy your healthcare provider can give, look for one that is FDA certified. The following sections describe the distinct purposes of at-home and physician-ordered cholesterol tests. Self monitor total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and glucose. People may purchase an at-home test kit from FDA-regulated companies collaborating with CLIA-certified laboratories. This indicates that companies have established quality standards for laboratory testing.
It’s also an affordable option — one meter is all that’s needed for repeated testing. You can choose a meter by itself or one that comes with lancets, strips, and blood collection droppers. However, there is a learning curve when you begin using a meter and inconsistent readings can occur.
How can you tell if your cholesterol is high without a test?
Then, once they collect their sample, they can send it to one of the Everlywell testing facilities. The LetsGetChecked website has an instructional video explaining how a person should collect the sample. An at-home cholesterol test that typically provides accurate results, with the exception of the glucose levels. Instructions vary for each home cholesterol test, but regardless of the type you choose, you must follow them step by step to get the most accurate readings. Although this is a one-time test, the accuracy and professional reading make it worth the cost of about $40 to $65 for many customers.
LDL can be calculated by hand based off of the results from other test strips. Separate drops of blood are required for each single-panel test strips. At-home tests may detect high cholesterol levels that can be discussed with your doctor.
Do I need follow-up tests?
There are several different kinds of at-home cholesterol tests. All of the test options require a blood sample that is taken by pricking your finger with a very small needle. However, tests vary based on how and where that blood sample is analyzed. What a person can eat the night before a cholesterol blood test depends on what a healthcare professional suggests. Provides quick results for both good and bad cholesterol levels with a savvy online report based on lab results.
Most cholesterol self-tests use a specialized test strip and a small device that can measure cholesterol levels. Some self-tests don’t use a device and instead use a test strip that changes color based on the amount of cholesterol in the blood. At the same time, you should not have an at-home cholesterol test if you have concerns or symptoms related to your health. In that case, you should talk with your doctor for specific guidance. Your doctor can also review the pros and cons of at-home cholesterol testing in your situation.
Meter tests
Cons Tracking results from the lab is tedious and can take some time. Pros Safe, quality-controlled cholesterol test you can start at home. Customers note a high rate of consistency in terms of the lab results and how they compare to their actual doctor's reports. Cons Lab reports are not always consistent in terms of delivery time. Includes a meter and 10 test strips, and can do an entire lipid panel.
Some kits offer dual capabilities for also testing glucose levels . Different medical organizations have distinct guidelines for using cholesterol testing for the early detection of cardiovascular risk. This type of home cholesterol test kit involves mailing your blood samples to a lab, where they are read by trained lab technicians. Though you only get one test for your money, these are the most comprehensive and accurate of the bunch . On the other hand, you may have to wait several weeks for the results.
With laboratory-based tests, people receive their at-home test kit with all the tools they need, such as alcohol swabs, collection tubes, and pre-addressed envelopes. Once they collect their blood sample, they can send it to a laboratory, where a healthcare professional performs the test. Whether conducted in a laboratory or at home, cholesterol tests rely on a blood sample. Virtually all tests measure total cholesterol, but the other components can vary depending on the specific test that is being taken. In addition, fasting may be required in some cases for both kinds of tests.
However, a person must follow the instructions carefully to ensure that they collect a valid sample. After purchasing the home kit, a person can register it on the Everlywell website. There, they need to include their order’s identification number.
If you test your blood without the appropriate fasting time, the results could be higher than they would have been had you fasted. This option typically has supplies to test your cholesterol levels several times and costs about $20 to $25 per kit. High levels of LDL cholesterol are the main culprit that can lead to the buildup of cholesterol in the arteries.
At-home cholesterol tests can measure the total amount of cholesterol in a blood sample and may also determine the levels of specific kinds of cholesterol. With self-collection tests, a person can use test strips that measure cholesterol levels. They need to add a drop of blood to the strip and read the color change. They can also buy an electronic meter, which requires them to add a drop of blood to a test strip, insert the strip into the meter, and read the results. A. Using a home cholesterol test to understand your numbers is a good option for saving money, especially for individuals who lack health insurance. As we mentioned, they are also helpful for monitoring your numbers in between tests by your doctor.
These easy-to-use kits typically include strips, a lancet, and blood collection droppers for several readings and give quick results. Depending on your at-home cholesterol test results, you may need follow-up tests. If your at-home test shows abnormal cholesterol levels, your doctor may want to perform a laboratory assessment of your cholesterol levels using a sample taken during a blood draw. The laboratory analyzes your blood and provides results that include your total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides. The test report also includes a calculation of the percent of total cholesterol that is made up of good HDL cholesterol.
However, at-home tests should never be used instead of doctor-prescribed tests or instead of discussing symptoms or cardiovascular risk factors with a health professional. There are numerous types of cholesterol testing, and this can create confusion for people trying to understand what makes each test distinct. The following sections compare at-home and in-lab cholesterol tests and provide links to learn more about other related cholesterol tests. When properly performed, at-home cholesterol self-tests can be about as accurate as laboratory lab tests conducted with a blood draw. However, products that are poorly manufactured or that provide inadequate instructions may suffer from reductions in accuracy.
Blood drawn from a vein is usually analyzed in tests that are conducted at a doctor’s office, lab, or hospital. At-home self-tests and self-collection tests rely on a smaller amount of blood obtained with a fingerstick. Cholesterol testing is common and generally dependable as part of cardiovascular risk assessment. Like any medical testing, though, cholesterol tests are not perfect. Everlywell’s test uses a dried blood sample that you obtain by pricking your finger with a tiny needle and placing drops of blood on a specially designed test paper. All the materials and instructions for this self-collection process are included in the test kit.
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