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Includes analyzer, box of 3 total cholesterol, box of 3 HDL, box of 3 triglyceride test strips, 9 lancets, and 9 capillaries. A person should only fast if their doctor or the test manufacturer recommends it. However, risk factors include having overweight, not exercising regularly, eating fatty foods, and drinking and smoking. High cholesterol may also have a genetic component and run in families.
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.
Low-Cost Portable Whole Blood Test System For Standard Home Users
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.
However, higher levels of HDL in the blood actually provides some protection against “bad” cholesterol. We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
Cardiochek Home Basic Analyzer Portable Blood Cholesterol Tester
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.
At-home tests should not be used in lieu of having your cholesterol checked by a doctor. People may seek guidance from a doctor if they have other health conditions or a family history of heart disease and high cholesterol. These people may need to check their cholesterol levels regularly. The CardioChek ST analyzer requires a separate purchase of test strips. The CardioChek ST analyzer MEMoChip is sold with the test strips and must be used according to each test strip used. The lower-cost CardioChek ST analyzer & any of 3 single-panel test strips to test total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides is perfect for the home user.
What was the lowest price for the Cardiochek Home Basic Analyzer Portable Blood Chol?
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.
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.
Ask a Laboratory Scientist
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 .
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