7 best at-home cholesterol test kits for 2022

This is why Dr. Eckel says it's still best to limit or avoid meat, dairy and baked goods. Until recently, it was though that eating lots of cholesterol-rich foods played a significant role in causing high blood cholesterol. The results of home cholesterol tests are about 95% accurate -- very close to the accuracy of a doctor's (or laboratory's) test.

can i test my cholesterol at home

There is a good kind of cholesterol called high-density lipoprotein , and a bad cholesterol called low-density lipoprotein . LDL builds up in the walls of the arteries, blocking blood flow and increasing the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Theres good cholesterol, known as high-density lipoprotein .

Do I Need To Call My Doctor For My Test Results

The person then returns the sample in the prepaid packaging that the company usually provides. Researchers say statins can help reduce the risk of a common subtype of stroke known as an intracerebral hemorrhage. If you’re using a metered test, you’ll place a droplet of blood directly on one or more test strips. The test strip is inserted into a meter that contains a computer chip. The computer in the meter analyzes the test strip and displays your results on a screen. If you have concerns about blood sugar and cholesterol and wish to test often at home, this meter may be an appropriate choice for you.

can i test my cholesterol at home

Share your at-home results with your doctor, especially if they’re high. At-home tests can help you determine if your cholesterol is high, but they can’t provide you with personalized medical advice like your doctor. If your test results are outside of the healthy range, definitely call your doctor.

SDBIO CURO L7 Professional Grade Lipid Blood Cholesterol Test Home Kit

Read more on how people can test at home and what the results mean. People who smoke or have a high body mass index have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular health issues. The downsides of the test include that it does not check particle sizes or distinguish between small and large LDL.

can i test my cholesterol at home

It is recommended that you do not eat or drink 812 hours before performing the test. You should take the test in the morning while ensuring that the time of the last meal, the previous day, is no less than 8 hours. Some kits are not fasting cholesterol tests so its important to follow the instructions. You may also be able to use an at-home kit to test for cholesterol. While instructions may vary between brands, your kit will include some kind of device to prick your finger. Youll use this device to collect a drop of blood for testing.

Related to Cholesterol & Triglycerides

This can lead to false-positive results, potentially leading a person to take cholesterol medication unnecessarily. According to the FDA, at-home tests for cholesterol vary in accuracy from brand to brand. This dilutes the blood sample with tissue fluid and can break down or destroy red blood cells, skewing your results. This lightweight, battery-operated meter has a storage capacity for 500 readings. This enables you to keep track of your progress over an extended period of time.

Don’t "milk" your finger by squeezing it in order to force out blood that doesn't want to flow onto the test strip. Try with a different finger and, if that doesn’t work, have the test done by a medical professional. Wash your hands and open an alcohol swab, test strip, and lancet packet. Use soap and water to wash your hands and a clean towel to dry them. Open one of the sealed, sterile packages in your kit that contains a test strip, as well as one packet containing an alcohol swab. Nearly all kits use lancets that are pre-loaded into individual “lancet pens.” Pop the cap off of the pen, if necessary, as directed by the kit’s instructions.

After three minutes, you can check the colour of the test area against the comparative colour chart and read your result. LDL and HDL stand for ‘low density lipoprotein’ and ‘high density lipoprotein’. These are two categories of the lipoproteins that carry cholesterol in your blood. Cholesterol is carried in our blood by substances called lipoproteins, and there are several different types, carrying cholesterol for different purposes.

can i test my cholesterol at home

Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. However, a person must follow the instructions carefully to ensure that they collect a valid sample. This increases the likelihood of receiving an accurate result. Furthermore, the company claims that customer care agents are available for individuals who may need to ask questions. It also provides video demonstrations for people who may need help with using the SDBIO cholesterol kit. According to the CDC, people aged 20 years or older and who have a low risk of cardiovascular disease should undergo a cholesterol test every 5 years.

If you have high cholesterol, your body may store the extra cholesterol in your arteries. These are blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. A buildup of cholesterol in your arteries is known as plaque. Over time, plaque can become hard and make your arteries narrow. Large deposits of plaque can completely block an artery.

can i test my cholesterol at home

You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment. Invest in a digital tester if you need to check your cholesterol regularly. If you’re interested in tracking your cholesterol over time and you want specific readings for different types of cholesterol, make this your choice. Wait the designated amount of time for the test strip to change colors. Color-coded strip kits usually take several minutes to produce results.

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