Features Of Selfcheck Cholesterol Test
- Provides a reliable estimate of the total cholesterol level in the blood
- Easy to follow instructions
- Early detection of potential raised cholesterol
- A visible result in three minutes
- Everything you need to complete the test at home
What’s included
*Please note: If your chosen pharmacy is in the North West, North East, Yorkshire, the Isle of Man, Channel Islands or Scottish Highlands and Islands your order will take an additional working day to these delivery times. To find out if your pharmacy is impacted .
Easily Discover Your Personal Levels Of Total Cholesterol Hdl Calculated Ldl And Triglycerides
Your results will contain your personal levels of Total Cholesterol, HDL, Calculated LDL, and Triglycerides and whether they fall within a low, normal, or high range. It is widely known that variance between labs can occur for any marker. This happens for either dried blood spot or serum samples, and we have ensured that the variation seen is within acceptable ranges according to widely accepted and regulated lab standards. We always encourage sharing the results of your test with your health care provider.
Everlywell can provide suggestions to jumpstart a healthier lifestyle. As always, we encourage you to share your results with your doctor, who can provide more specific guidance on lifestyle changes.
Are Cholesterol Home Test Kits Regulated By The Fda
The FDA does regulate certain cholesterol home test kits. There are home test kits for HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, too. However, not all cholesterol home test kits you can buy meet the FDA’s stringent guidelines.
If you are unsure about which cholesterol home test kit to purchase, the FDA has set up the Over-The-Counter Database. You can find it on the FDA’s website. This database is an excellent resource to search for FDA-cleared cholesterol home test kits. You can also use it to find other types of home test kits.
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What Do I Need To Know Before Getting Screened
A cholesterol test is a simple blood test. Your doctor may tell you not to eat or drink anything except water for 9 to 12 hours before the test. The results give you four measurements:1,3
- Total cholesterol. Less than 200 mg/dL is considered normal.
- LDL cholesterol. Less than 100 mg/dL is considered normal. LDL is sometimes called bad cholesterol, because it can build up and clog your arteries, eventually leading to heart disease or stroke.
- HDL cholesterol. It is best to have more than 40 mg/dL. HDL is sometimes called good cholesterol, because it can help clear arteries of cholesterol buildup.
- Triglycerides. This is a type of fat in the blood. Normal levels are typically below 150 mg/dL.
A: Yes You Can Now Check Your Cholesterol At Home
The bigger question is, âwhat do you want to check, and how?â.
Though the most common way to check cholesterol remains the inconvenient process of going to a doctorâs office and/or laboratory, there are now several options for checking cholesterol at home.
First, decide whether you really want to check your cholesterol yourself. Going to your doctor or a laboratory may continue to be the best option if you feel uncomfortable administering a small blood test on yourself, or feel like you do not understand what test you are purchasing. Increasingly, however, individuals are becoming more comfortable self-administering tests and learning about basic tests like cholesterol.
Weâve written a short article on what markers you should get results for and what tests are most common for at home cholesterol monitoring. If youâre interested in purchasing your own at home cholesterol test, be sure to read our quick guide to common testing options here.
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Home Blood Pressure Monitors
Home blood pressure monitors are a different story. They allow you to measure your blood pressure on a daily or even hourly basis, so you can gauge the effect of medication, activities, time of day, or even emotions on your blood pressure. They can be crucial if you tend toward high blood pressure, or if you have normal blood pressure, but get high readings at the doctor’s office, a condition called “white coat hypertension.”
Like blood pressure monitors in a doctor’s office, the at-home monitors measure the force of blood inside an artery in your arm. During the test, a cuff that is wrapped around your arm inflates, temporarily stopping the flow of blood in your arm. When the cuff is released, you will listen for the sound of blood flowing back into the artery.
You can choose from three different types of blood pressure monitors.
Performing A Home Cholesterol Test
Generally, there is only a single way of performing a cholesterol home test and that is through the finger prick blood test method. All popular test kit companies require that one of the two thumbs should be pierced. The process of the test is as follows:
It may take 7 to 24 days to get your test result processed after it has been received at the lab. How the results are presented depends on the company from which you ordered the kit.
The test will determine blood concentration of four biomarkers: total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides. Each biomarker will have a number that represents their concentration on your bloodstream. The generally recommended results are:
- LDL: 70 to 130 mg/dL
- HDL: more than 40 to 80 mg/dL
- Total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL
- Triglycerides: 10 to 150 mg/dL
Home cholesterol tests will normally divide their range into three categories for easy comparison: low, normal, and elevated. In the Everlywell test, the value, as well as where that value falls on the larger range, is shown.
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Types Of Home Cholesterol Tests
There are three basic types of home cholesterol tests that can be purchased online or at your local pharmacy:
- Test strips: These involve paper test strips that you read visually. You add a drop of blood from a finger prick and read the color change after several minutes.
- Electronic meters: The second type requires purchasing a small analyzer, much like a glucose meter. After placing a drop of blood on a test strip, the strip is inserted into the analyzer for a reading.
- Mail-in tests: The third type of test requires you to send tiny blood samples to a laboratory. You have to wait for them to return your results, but the analysis is done by professionals.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved several home cholesterol tests that measure total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides. There are other FDA-certified kits that measure low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. You need to check the product packaging to see which values are tested.
If you decide to opt for home testing, it is best to only consider comprehensive kits, which are almost invariably the most expensive.
Which Home Cholesterol Tests Are Best
Heart health matters. Cholesterol plays a vital role in the body, but too much can cause blocked or narrowed arteries. Testing cholesterol levels is essential for evaluating cardiovascular health. Between doctor visits, a home cholesterol test kit measures key lipid levels, which assists in assessing the impact of medicine, exercise and diet.
Accuracy, ease of use and affordability are all critical considerations for testing cholesterol at home. For accuracy and quick results, the top choice is the Solana Health FDA-Approved Cholesterol Test Kit.
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Walk In Labs Liver Tests
Walk In Labs offers several online tests that screen for different liver diseases. People can choose from tests that screen for hepatitis B and hepatitis C, liver enzymes, liver proteins, and bilirubin.
Unlike some other tests, a person who orders a test online needs to visit a partnered lab to see a healthcare professional who can draw their blood. The lab will run the tests and return the results within 3 days.
Are Results From A Cholesterol Home Test Kit Reliable
The reliability of cholesterol home tests varies, and the results can fluctuate. It depends on the maker of the kits. Many cholesterol home test kits advertise that they are greater than 95% accurate. Still, these cholesterol results should be considered approximations and should not take the place of a cholesterol test conducted by your health care provider.
In addition, even if you consistently get normal results from your cholesterol home kit test strips, it’s very important to consult with your health care provider. To determine your risk of heart disease, your health care provider will evaluate your cholesterol level along with other factors such as your weight, physical exam results, medical history, and family history. Your health care provider may conduct other tests aside from the cholesterol screening.
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How Is A Cholesterol Test Performed
To check your cholesterol levels, your doctor will need to get a sample of your blood. You will probably have your blood drawn in the morning, sometimes after fasting since the night before.
A blood test is an outpatient procedure. It takes only a few minutes and is relatively painless. Its usually performed at a diagnostic lab. In some cases, it can also be performed during a regular doctor visit, at a local pharmacy, or even at home. Walk-in clinic rates can cost anywhere from $50 to $100. Cholesterol testing at a local pharmacy can cost $5 to $25. An at-home test can cost anywhere from $15 to $25, while tests that need to be shipped to a lab can average $75 to $200.
There are very few risks associated with having your blood drawn for a cholesterol test. You may feel slightly faint or have some soreness or pain at the site where your blood was drawn. Theres also a very slight risk of infection at the puncture site.
Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood. Ideal results for most adults are:
- LDL: 70 to 130 mg/dL
- HDL: more than 40 to 60 mg/dL
- total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL
- triglycerides: 10 to 150 mg/dL
Can You Test Liver Function At Home
Liver tests are available for home testing. However, they may not be as extensive as a full liver panel that a healthcare professional may order. A person should follow up with their doctor if they receive any abnormal results a medical professional will likely order additional testing and review the individuals general health.
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Seeking Medical Advice And Care
What Does It Mean If I Have High Cholesterol
A high cholesterol level can mean that you face a higher risk of plaque buildup, heart disease, high blood pressure, and certain kinds of lipid disorders. This isnât always the case, though, since high levels of HDL can contribute to a high total cholesterol level. So itâs best to talk with your healthcare provider to understand what high cholesterol may mean for your health. Routinely taking cholesterol tests and reviewing your cholesterol numbers with your healthcare provider may help you better understand if you are at a greater cardiovascular risk.
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How And When To Have Your Cholesterol Checked
Getting your cholesterol levels checked is an important part of staying healthy. High cholesterol increases your risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the United States.
Knowing your cholesterol status can help you stay in control of your health. Learn about cholesterol screening and why it is important.
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that your body needs to make hormones and digest fats. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs, but you can also get cholesterol from eating certain foods, such as egg yolks and fatty meats. Having high blood cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, putting you at risk for heart disease and stroke. High blood cholesterol doesnt have symptoms, which is why getting your cholesterol levels checked is so important.
Learn more about cholesterol screenings.
You should get your cholesterol checked at least every 5 years. If you have cardiovascular risk factors, talk with your health care team about getting tested more often.
Automatic Blood Pressure Monitors
Powered by batteries, automatic blood pressure monitors have a cuff that is attached to your wrist or upper arm. An electronic monitor inflates and deflates the cuff, making this kind of device far easier to use than the manual ones. The monitor then displays your blood pressure. These blood pressure monitors generally cost between $40 and $100. Although they’re easier to use, they’re also sensitive and the readings can be influenced by your body position. Health professionals generally recommend having these devices adjusted at least once a year to make sure they’re still accurate.
Despite the problems with both kinds of blood pressure monitors, many doctors encourage their patients to use them, so that they can be aware of dangerous spikes in their blood pressure and take a more active role in their home care. But if you do decide to monitor your own blood pressure, remember:
- To avoid fraud, buy monitors only from reputable pharmacies or medical supply stores and be sure they are FDA approved.
- Follow the manufacturer’s directions to make sure you’re getting the most accurate readings.
SOURCES: Roger Blumenthal, director, Ciccarone Preventive CardiologyCenter, Johns Hopkins University. Amit Khera, MD, assistant professor ofmedicine, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School. American Academy ofFamily Physicians web site: “Blood PressureMonitoring at Home.” FDA web site: “Home Diagnostic Tests: The Ultimate HouseCall?”
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What Happens During A Cholesterol Test
The cholesterol test, or screening, requires a simple blood draw. You may need to fast for 8 to 12 hours before your cholesterol test. Be sure to ask your doctor how to prepare for the test.
The cholesterol test checks your levels of:
- Low-density lipoprotein or badcholesterol. Having high levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries and result in heart disease or stroke.
- High-density lipoprotein or goodcholesterol. HDL is known as good cholesterol because high levels can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Triglycerides, a type of fat in your blood that your body uses for energy. The combination of high levels of triglycerides with low HDL cholesterol or high LDL cholesterol levels can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke.
- Total cholesterol, the total amount of cholesterol in your blood based on your HDL, LDL, and triglycerides numbers.
Getting Started With A Home Cholesterol Test
Getting started with a home cholesterol test is one of the major determinants of a successful and accurate test. The steps are generally easy to perform. First, a home test will give you as many accurate results as a traditional lab test. You only just have to make sure that you ordered the kit from a reputable company and follow the instructions provided.
Most home cholesterol test kits come with essentially the same materials. Some of the test materials to expect from a lab test kit include:
- A DIY instruction material
- A medical grade collection card
- Envelope for returning both cards
- Lancets
- Wool
- Band aid
- Alcohol swab
Most test kit companies require that you register your kit online to receive a code that allows you access and view your results on their platforms. The code also lets you track your cards and whether they have been received.
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.
It is advised that you drink a lot of water during those 8 hours, if possible.
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When Should I Get An At
You can consider getting an at-home test if you are curious about your blood cholesterol. This can provide information about your current cholesterol levels and may help initiate a more in-depth conversation with your doctor about heart health and wellness.
At the same time, you should not have an at-home cholesterol test if you have concerns or symptoms related to your health. In that case, you should talk with your doctor for specific guidance. Your doctor can also review the pros and cons of at-home cholesterol testing in your situation.