Saturday, December 5, 2020

Cholesterol testing at home: It may be faster, but is it better?

Standard blood tests from your doctor will generally give you the levels of both HDL and LDL . ✅ How can the test help you – Find out if your cholesterol and triglyceride levels are within the green range. Learn how you can change your LDL cholesterol by changing your lifestyle. ✅ PROFESSIONAL GRADE TESTING AT HOME - Our CURO L7 device provides the closest and most accurate Cholesterol breakdown to a lab test from home! This cutting edge monitor will give you reliable consistent results that you can depend on. If you get inconsistent results, see your doctor, who can check the values of your device or kit against an in-office test.

can you check cholesterol at home

At-home cholesterol tests require a small sample of blood. To get your sample, you’ll prick your finger with a lancet or lancing pen. Read on to learn about the best at-home tests for checking cholesterol levels. High cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Luckily, there’s a lot you can do to reduce high cholesterol.

HDL

Cholesterol test kits have come a long way since the early 1990s, and some of them can give you an electronic readout - taking out the guesswork of interpreting your results. You should also select test kits that are approved by the FDA since they have been tested for accuracy and use. According to the Food and Drug Administration , at-home cholesterol tests are as accurate as tests doctors provide in a clinic. The FDA recommends that people follow the manufacturer’s instructions to help prevent inaccurate results.

You can use test strips to read visually by comparing them with a color change chart. Marley Hall is a writer and fact checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Researchers say statins can help reduce the risk of a common subtype of stroke known as an intracerebral hemorrhage.

What Should You Not Eat When You Have High Cholesterol

These kits come with instructions and all the tools a person needs to collect their sample. HDL is known as good cholesterol because high levels can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. 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. How the results are presented depends on the company from which you ordered the kit.

can you check cholesterol at home

As soon as you see 1-2 drops of blood well up from your finger pad, smear the blood onto the clearly-marked testing area of the test strip. Wrap a clean tissue around your finger pad if needed to stop the bleeding, but don’t put the test strip down in the process. 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. People may purchase an at-home test kit from FDA-regulated companies collaborating with CLIA-certified laboratories.

Home Health Test Kits Can Check Cholesterol Food Intolerances And Cancer Risks But Are They Worth It

This kit comes with 10 total cholesterol testing strips—the others must be purchased separately. At-home testing is a tool that can provide clarity about your cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease. Knowing your numbers may be a catalyst for making healthy changes, such as exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet. Some new cholesterol home test kits have an electronic meter.

can you check cholesterol at home

Before purchasing one, check which lipid values are included in the test and whether the test is FDA-approved or, at the very least, FDA-cleared. It often helps to ask a pharmacist which test they recommend and why. If you get inconsistent results, see your doctor, who can check the values of your device or kit against an in-office (point-of-care) test. It is essential for people to follow all manufacturer’s directions to get the most accurate results.

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"Doctors often prescribe statins for people with high cholesterol to lower their total cholesterol and reduce their risk of a heart attack or stroke," says the Mayo Clinic. When you have your blood cholesterol levels tested, it is these lipoproteins that are being measured. Instead, typically a combination of various lifestyle factors is to blame. Obesity, lack of exercise, diabetes, alcohol and cigarettes all play a role. Some people are also genetically predisposed to have high cholesterol levels.

But you should know that one or two errors can lead to false results or misinterpretations. However, note that for the majority of these devices, there is little published research about their accuracy. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts.

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. Getting started with a home cholesterol test is one of the major determinants of a successful and accurate test. 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.

can you check cholesterol at home

Take a good look at both the pen and the product instructions so you’re sure how to use the lancet correctly. If you need further guidance, talk to your pharmacist. “mg/dl” refers to milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood. The higher your mg/dl is, the more susceptible you are to developing blockages in your arteries. Assessing a color-coded test strip too early or too late could give you an incorrect result.

Non-urgent advice: Ask your GP surgery or pharmacy for a cholesterol test if:

The deposits may narrow the arteries and increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke — two leading causes of death in the United States. This article examines why people should measure cholesterol, the home testing process, accuracy, and what the results may mean. They may also work out your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years. This is a check-up that can help spot early signs of problems like heart disease and diabetes. Most healthy adults should have their cholesterol checked every 4 to 6 years. Many people have never had their cholesterol checked, so they don’t know whether they are at risk.

can you check cholesterol at home

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