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This is the reason it has earned the nickname “bad cholesterol.” Eating fried foods, too much animal fat, and processed snacks can contribute to LDL cholesterol. An optimal level of LDL cholesterol to shoot for is 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) or lower. It is important to consider the possible pros and cons of at-home cholesterol testing to determine if it is the right choice for you. Cholesterol testing can be a component of assessing cardiovascular disease risk. It is frequently prescribed by doctors, but it’s role as an at-home test is not clearly defined.
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.
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You don't have to draw a lot of blood to test, plus the results are fast. Cons Some users who have done the test repeatedly find the results vary greatly, sparking concerns about accuracy. The test kit from myLAB Box contains detailed instructions and all the materials you need to properly prepare your blood sample for analysis at a CLIA-certified laboratory. Home cholesterol tests that require a meter work similarly to blood glucose tests and provide a fast reading with a decent level of accuracy.
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.
Off CardioChek Cholesterol Analyzer Starter Test Kit
The only way a person can find out if they have high cholesterol is through a test. Doctors may recommend specific home care strategies, such as exercise, reaching or maintaining a moderate weight, and following a balanced diet. People should receive their results through the Everlywell online platform. They may also receive tips and additional resources to help them understand their results. It states that its laboratories are approved by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments and part of the College of American Pathologists program.
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.
Q. What are some dietary changes I can make to lower my cholesterol naturally?
To travel through the blood, lipids must attach to particles called lipoproteins, which are made up of a mix of proteins and fat. Testing.com is supported by readers and we may also earn commissions through products purchased using links on this page. Available shipping methods and charges will be displayed at the time of checkout, depending on your exact location. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
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.
It includes a small needle called a lancet, which you use to prick your finger to collect several drops of blood in a provided test tube. Then seal the tube in a biohazard bag and send it to the company’s laboratory in prepaid packaging. In a self-test, analysis of the blood sample happens at home, typically providing results within minutes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Your blood sample is analyzed within a few days after it arrives at a CLIA-certified lab. Results include total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides. More information about the uses of cholesterol testing and when they may be recommended can be found in our guides to total cholesterol tests and lipid panel tests. People with one or more risk factors usually start screening at a younger age and may have more frequent follow-up testing. Even people without risk factors are still usually advised to have occasional cholesterol testing. Your doctor can recommend a tailored screening schedule for your specific situation.
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.
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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