Maintaining your cholesterol numbers in a healthy range is an important part of maintaining good cardiovascular health. High cholesterol can increase your risk for stroke and cardiac disease. Getting it checked regularly through cholesterol screening allows you to keep track of your levels and take steps to lower your cholesterol if needed.
Traditionally, cholesterol screening requires visiting your healthcare provider and having blood drawn at a lab. However, at-home cholesterol screening kits provide a convenient way to check your cholesterol from the comfort of your home. These test kits are fairly easy to use and deliver results quickly.
Understanding Cholesterol Readings
Before using an at-home cholesterol testing kit, it helps to grasp what the results mean. A standard cholesterol reading provides your total cholesterol level along with levels of LDL (“bad” cholesterol), HDL (“good” cholesterol), and triglycerides.
The ideal levels are:
- Total cholesterol: beneath a reading of 200 mg/dL
- LDL cholesterol: under a reading of 100 mg/dL
- HDL cholesterol: 60 mg/dL or a higher reading
- Triglycerides: under a reading of 150 mg/dL
Keeping your cholesterol within healthy ranges reduces your risk for plaque buildup in the arteries, heart attack, and stroke. If your results show elevated cholesterol outside these ranges, you may need treatment to lower your levels.
Types of At-Home Cholesterol Screening Kits
There are a few options when it comes to at-home cholesterol test kits. The most convenient choice is a home test system that allows you to take a small blood sample and receive instant results. Other choices include test kits you mail to a lab and test strips that change color to gauge your cholesterol level.
Home Test Systems
Home cholesterol test systems provide an easy way to check your cholesterol at home. These systems come with a meter and testing supplies. To use it, you prick your finger with a lancet to get a blood sample, then insert the test strip in the meter to get your results within minutes.
Some test systems that are FDA-approved for home use are CardioChek, Curo L5, and PT Program. When choosing a system, look for one that tests total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides for a complete lipid profile.
Mail-In Test Kits
With mail-in test kits, you collect a blood sample at home and then mail it off to a certified lab for cholesterol analysis. The kit comes with all the supplies you’ll need to collect your sample, including labels, collection tubes, Band-Aids, and return packaging.
Once you’ve collected your sample, you mail it back for testing and then receive your cholesterol test results confidentially online or by phone. Some popular mail-order tests are available through companies such as LetsGetChecked and Everlywell.
Test Strips
Cholesterol test strips provide a simple option for home testing. These test kits include strips that shift color after applying a blood drop. You match the color to a guide to gauge your total cholesterol level. Test strips don’t provide complete results that include LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. But they offer easy at-home checks for total cholesterol.
Are At-Home Tests Accurate?
The big question about at-home cholesterol tests is whether they’re accurate compared to tests performed by a laboratory. According to FDA testing standards, approved at-home cholesterol tests must be as accurate as traditional lab testing when used correctly. Thus, the kits themselves are typically highly reliable.
Accuracy comes down to proper use. It’s important to diligently follow all instructions when collecting your blood sample and performing the test. Factors including not properly filling the test strip, expired test materials, or not fasting beforehand can affect results.
Tips for Getting Accurate Results
To get the most accurate at-home cholesterol test results:
- Choose an FDA-approved test kit
- Check the expiration date of test materials
- Follow all sample collection instructions precisely
- Fast for 12 hours beforehand (if specified by instructions)
- Repeat the test if you have unexpected results
Using At-Home Cholesterol Screening Results
It’s important not to rely solely on at-home cholesterol test results when making healthcare decisions. Consider your at-home cholesterol test as a starting point, with follow-up through your healthcare provider being essential.
Schedule a meeting with your physician to discuss your complete health history and your at-home test results. Your doctor can help interpret your cholesterol numbers in the context of your overall heart disease risk. They can also determine if you need repeat testing in the lab or treatment based on multiple factors.
Tracking Changes Over Time
For patients already diagnosed with high cholesterol, at-home cholesterol test kits can provide a useful option for monitoring changes over time. After beginning cholesterol-lowering treatment through lifestyle changes or medication, periodic at-home testing allows you to see how your levels respond.
Discuss the ongoing use of at-home test kits with your physician to determine the best frequency. They can advise you on how often to check your cholesterol to assess if your management plan is working effectively.
Take the Next Step After At-Home Cholesterol Screening With Imperial Center Family Medicine
Has your at-home cholesterol test revealed any concerning numbers? Imperial Center Family Medicine’s experienced healthcare providers have specialized expertise in holistically treating and preventing heart disease.
Contact us today at 919-873-4437 or schedule your evaluation online to review your test results, understand your risks, and create a personalized cholesterol management plan.