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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.
As we mentioned above, high cholesterol levels are not beneficial to your health and can lead to serious trouble, including atherosclerosis , stroke, angina, and heart attack. This form enables patients to ask specific questions about lab tests. Your questions will be answered by a laboratory scientist as part of a voluntary service provided by one of our partners, American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. Please allow 2-3 business days for an email response from one of the volunteers on the Consumer Information Response Team. A principal difference between these tests is how the blood sample is obtained.
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.
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.
Do I need follow-up tests?
You also have the opportunity to consult with a physician if you have any outstanding questions about the results of your test. Non-HDL cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, is harmful in high amounts. Non-HDL cholesterol is a quick way of measuring the bad cholesterol in a person's body.
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.
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.
Shop the best CardioChek Home Basic Analyzer; Portable Blood Cholesterol Tester; PTS Panels #730 by CardioChek at Medical Supplies & Equipment online store. Not all products shown on this website may be approved in all regulatory jurisdictions. Consult with your local sales representative, distribution company or PTS Diagnostics customer support for details.
Off CardioChek Cholesterol Deluxe Refill Kit
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.
For any questions about the accuracy of specific at-home tests, you can ask the test provider for available documentation related to the testing method and results accuracy. Your doctor can also discuss any factors in your case that could affect cholesterol test results. An at-home kit with one of the fastest turnaround times for receiving results is the Cholesterol and Lipids Test from myLAB Box. The company includes free two-day shipping of your test kit, prepaid rapid return shipping, and a results time frame of 2 to 5 days once your sample reaches the lab.
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.
High fat levels in the blood can come from eating high-fat, high-sugar diets. When this happens, triglyceride levels go up and can contribute to heart disease. When a standard blood draw and cholesterol test is ordered by a doctor, some or all of the charges are often covered by insurance. In contrast, most at-home cholesterol tests are not covered, requiring you to pay the full cost out-of-pocket.
It is important to look closely at any at-home test to know exactly which cholesterol levels will be included in the test report. A person uses the lancet to prick a finger and get a small blood sample. The package also includes cholesterol strips, lancets, a manual, batteries, and an EziTube blood applicator. At-home sample collection that is then sent to a lab for cholesterol level analysis.
In most cases, accuracy of at-home and in-lab tests is comparable. In addition to repeat testing of your cholesterol levels, other tests may be considered based on your specific situation. These could include more detailed cholesterol tests like a direct LDL-C test or other types of expanded lipid analysis. In some cases, a cardiac stress test or other kinds of imaging tests may be used to assess heart health.
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.
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