Rather, they are either substantially similar to an approved device certified or are not subject to premarket review registered. Although at-home tests are improving in their sensitivity and accuracy, they cannot provide the information needed to assess your cardiovascular risk or decide when treatment is needed.
Regular cholesterol testing through your healthcare provider's office can. According to the FDA, home-use tests are best interpreted when they are evaluated alongside your medical history, a physical exam, and other tests. The biggest challenge associated with home cholesterol testing is user error. It is not like a home pregnancy test where you only need a positive or negative result.
Just because you are able to get a reading doesn't mean you did it right or that the reading is accurate. Here are just some of the things that can go wrong:. This shouldn't suggest that the test is complicated that no one can do it. It is only meant to suggest that one or two errors can lead to false results or misinterpretations. If you get inconsistent results, see your healthcare provider who can check the values of your device or kit against an in-office point-of-care test.
The FDA has stated the at-home tests they have approved are about as accurate as the tests done by your healthcare provider if you follow the instructions correctly. These tests have their accuracy data printed on the product label. For the majority of these devices, there is little data regarding the accuracy of at-home cholesterol tests.
Even those approved by the FDA are based on data submitted by the manufacturers. Of the available research, a study from Italy evaluated the three-year performance of the point-of-care version of CardioChek. The researchers noted the device, first introduced in , had "limited published evidence of performance levels. It is unclear whether the at-home version meets the same standard. The same applies to mail-in services, many of which do not advertise the type of technology they use.
A review of studies from Columbia University highlighted some of the pros and cons of at-home cholesterol testing, specifically in response to an electronic device called the AccuMeter Cholesterol Test. At-home cholesterol tests can vary widely in price. Another name for this test is a triacylglycerol test.
Triglycerides are a type of lipid. These triglycerides circulate in the blood to provide energy for your muscles to work. Extra triglycerides enter your blood after you eat. If you eat more calories than your body needs, your triglyceride level may be high. Very low-density lipoproteins VLDLs carry triglycerides through your blood.
VLDL measurements can be helpful information to have if you and your doctor are talking about ways to lower your triglyceride level. The triglyceride level test will help your doctor determine your risk of developing heart disease. It helps estimate the level of LDL cholesterol in your blood. Atherosclerosis occurs when fat builds up inside your arteries. It can increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. You should have a lipid profile done every five years as part of your regular medical exam.
The lipid profile tests your levels of the following:. This includes children who are overweight or who have a family history of heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure. Children at increased risk of developing heart disease will need this test between 2 and 10 years of age. Children under 2 are too young for testing. You should fast for 9 to 14 hours before the test and drink only water during that period.
Your doctor will specify how much time you should fast before the test. LDL cholesterol can deposit in the arteries and lead to a condition known as atherosclerosis. LDL can be calculated mathematically using triglycerides and total cholesterol values or it can be measured directly.
This test measures calculated LDL. HDL, high-density lipoprotein, is considered the "good cholesterol" because it is able to carry cholesterol deposits away from arteries and back to the liver where it can be broken down and cleared from the body.
Triglycerides are the primary form of fat in the blood. Excessive levels of triglycerides may lead to damage to organs such as the liver and pancreas. Excessive levels may also lead to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
This means they have to meet high standards to obtain both state and federal certifications and submit themselves to regular inspections. Everlywell tests are reviewed and approved by an independent board-certified physician within your state. We use state-of-the-art, bank-grade encryption to ensure your data is stored securely, and under no circumstance do we ever sell your data.
Having a combined cholesterol and lipids test is one of the most common ways to assess your overall heart health. High levels of cholesterol and lipids especially LDL cholesterol and triglycerides have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. Monitoring your blood cholesterol and controlling high cholesterol levels can be key to reducing your risk for these disorders. This mail-in cholesterol test kit evaluates the four key components of a lipid panel: total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein HDL , calculated low-density lipoprotein LDL , and triglycerides.
Kroll says that if there are significant weight changes, significant dietary changes or the introduction of new medications, at-home testing could be done every three months.
Any significant change in at home cholesterol levels should be confirmed by a commercial laboratory, he adds. Over the years, she has reviewed dozens of products, from athletic recovery aids to condition-specific products to homeopathic essential oils, to help readers like you discover products that can help you live your best life.
Additional reporting to this story by Jennifer Nied. As a seasoned health writer, Jennifer Nied understands how vital quality product recommendations are for treating symptoms safely and effectively at home. For over 10 years, she has reviewed products, interviewed experts, scrutinized ingredients, and pored over research studies and claims, to help readers like you understand what works for your specific conditions.
Every product in this piece was selected taking into account recommendations from doctors, published research, and real customer reviews. Looking to start a diet to better manage your cholesterol? Changing lifelong eating habits can be scary at first, but our guide will make it easier. American Heart Association. How to Get Your Cholesterol Tested.
Updated November 9, Lopez-Jimenez F. Cholesterol test kits: Are they accurate? Mayo Clinic Expert Answers. Your Privacy Rights.
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