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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.
Our pick for the most affordable cholesterol test is the Cholesterol and Lipids Test from Everlywell. It includes the standard cholesterol measurements of a lipid panel at an approachable price-point that includes free shipping both ways. A test may measure only total cholesterol or may include other levels like HDL-C, LDL-C, and/or triglycerides. In a self-collection test, your blood sample must be mailed to a laboratory where it can be analyzed. Results are usually available within a few business days through a smartphone app or secure website.
What was the lowest price for the Cardiochek Home Basic Analyzer Portable Blood Chol?
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.
In many cases, a doctor recommends cholesterol testing for screening. This means that it is used to look for a health problem before any symptoms have occurred. Looking at cholesterol levels may provide an early warning sign of an increased risk of serious heart problems or cardiovascular disease.
Interpreting At-Home Cholesterol Test Results
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.
The LetsGetChecked Cholesterol Test is our pick for the best overall at-home test to check your lipid levels. This test combines all the main elements of a lipid panel with a quick turnaround time and an affordable price. The LetsGetChecked product is a self-collection test, which means you obtain a blood sample at home and send it to a lab for analysis. A doctor may order cholesterol testing to monitor the cardiovascular health of people who have had heart problems or abnormal cholesterol levels in the past. Periodically checking cholesterol levels can be used to assess changes to cardiovascular risk or an individual’s response to treatments meant to lower that risk. At-home cholesterol testing is a method of checking your blood cholesterol levels, which can offer information about your cardiovascular health.
HDL cholesterol
Some require sending a sample to a laboratory, and others analyze your blood on-site to provide rapid results. At-home tests may measure only the total amount of cholesterol or may determine total cholesterol along with levels of different kinds of cholesterol. Using at-home cholesterol tests is a convenient way for people to test their cholesterol levels without needing to make an appointment with a healthcare professional. This inexpensive home cholesterol test is the most basic and involves placing drops of blood on test strips.
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.
Questions for your doctor after at-home testing
Pros Tests for HDL proteins, total cholesterol levels, LDL proteins, and triglycerides. Cons You have to send your samples to a lab, so the process of getting results could take a week or more in total. This kit allows you to conduct cholesterol tests yourself and then mail away for professional analysis. Comes with all the testing bells and whistles from blood collection units to pre-paid return envelopes. Cons Some customers note the analysis comes back incorrect and doesn't pair to a doctor's exam. Pros Tests for cholesterol and lipids profile, insulin resistance, visceral fat, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
Kits include lancets, blood collection device, and detailed instructions. Some kits also come with alcohol swabs, gauze, and bandages, and include pre-paid envelopes. Note that lab tests are not valid in some states that have regulations against this type of testing. Home cholesterol test kits provide an easy way to test various forms of cholesterol and triglycerides. Many tests available on today’s market offer a high degree of accuracy, and some are even approved by the Food and Drug Administration .
A. For the most accurate results, you should fast from nine to 12 hours before taking your blood to test your cholesterol. Following the instructions precisely will increase its accuracy. Keep in mind that you’ll have to prick your finger to get blood to perform home cholesterol testing. Although just a few drops are required, this may not be for the faint of heart.
Results are provided online through a secure site and are usually available 2 to 5 days after the sample is received. While the LetsGetChecked site and smartphone app clearly display your levels, you can also consult with the company’s nursing support team if you have questions. The main purpose of at-home cholesterol tests is to gather information about the levels of cholesterol in your blood. Evidence is limited about what role, if any, at-home cholesterol testing can play in your health care. Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is essential to normal functions of nearly all of the cells in the body. In the blood, though, the buildup of too much cholesterol can heighten the risk of cardiovascular problems like heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke.
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.
Medical News Today does not rank products or recommend one over another. LDL, or “bad cholesterol,” makes up most of the body’s cholesterol. This simply refers to an overall number that includes LDL and HDL cholesterol and should ideally be 200 mg/dl or less.
Can I test cholesterol myself?
Results from at-home self-tests are usually immediate, and self-collection tests generally have results available within a few days. Cholesterol levels are reported in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Most cholesterol testing is ordered by a doctor and performed in a medical office, hospital, or other medical setting. The purpose of cholesterol testing overseen by a health professional is better defined than at-home testing. However, always follow up with a healthcare professional for advice and any necessary treatment.
Since fasting is necessary to get the best results, you’ll want to test your cholesterol first thing in the morning before you have had breakfast. Although it’s bad for the heart when numbers aren’t in normal ranges, it also serves many vital roles in the body, such as cell protection. It's not a good time to buy now, there's a 82% probability this price will decrease.
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