how to check cholesterol at home without kitstuart weitzman returns

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Talk to your pharmacist if you need additional help.

Common target levels for different types of cholesterol include: These numbers provide a general reference for target cholesterol levels, but targets for any individual can depend on their specific circumstances.

If you just want to test your cholesterol out of curiosity or only occasionally, this may be the right option for you.

Should I consider any treatments or lifestyle changes related to my cardiovascular health. The purpose of cholesterol testing overseen by a health professional is better defined than at-home testing. Doing this can throw off your results.

Getting your cholesterol checked. The lancets themselves look a bit like large sewing needles, but few if any test kids use lancets that arent pre-loaded into individual pens.

If your at-home test shows abnormal cholesterol levels, your doctor may want to perform a laboratory assessment of your cholesterol levels using a sample taken during a blood draw. With these readings, you can use a straightforward equation to calculate your LDL-C level. At-home cholesterol tests can measure the total amount of cholesterol in a blood sample and may also determine the levels of specific kinds of cholesterol. UpToDate. Accessed August 2, 2021. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/lipid-abnormalities-in-thyroid-disease, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Dont "milk" your finger by squeezing it in order to force out blood that doesn't want to flow onto the test strip. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Like any medical testing, though, cholesterol tests are not perfect. Lipoprotein classification, metabolism, and role in atherosclerosis. This article was medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS and by wikiHow staff writer, Christopher M. Osborne, PhD.

Cholesterol testing is common and generally dependable as part of cardiovascular risk assessment. The user interface of Everlywells online platform clearly displays your results alongside reference ranges. 2013;87(4):223-228. doi:10.1159/000348438, MedlinePlus: National Library of Medicine. Sample: Blood (fingerstick) Dyslipidemia. Your fingertip is a sensitive area, so pricking it with the lancet will hurt a littlebut only for a few seconds. 2005;16(2):112-117. You can read more about how we make money here. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and/or triglycerides that are abnormally high are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. It is also important to remember that at-home testing may not use the same methods for measuring cholesterol that are used in tests ordered by your doctor. These could include more detailed cholesterol tests like a direct LDL-C test or other types of expanded lipid analysis.

In: Freeman MW, ed. Kafonek SD, Donovan L, Lovejoy KL, Bachorik PS. Laboratory methods for analyzing monoclonal proteins. After you have taken an at-home cholesterol test, you can review your results with your doctor and raise some of the following questions: 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 introduce our top picks for the best at-home cholesterol tests, including options for both self-tests and self-collection tests. Did you know you can get answers researched by wikiHow Staff? Eating more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, and fewer foods containing added sugars and unhealthy fats. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 23,328 times. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Read the product instructions carefully, especially for using the lancet pen. Results timeline: Typically within 5 business days. Looking at cholesterol levels may provide an early warning sign of an increased risk of serious heart problems or cardiovascular disease. Take a good look at both the pen and the product instructions so youre sure how to use the lancet correctly. Medical Encyclopedia. Accessed August 2, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/cholesterol_screening.htm, Chrostek L, Supronowicz L, Panasiuk A, Cylwik B, Gruszewska E, Flisiak R. The effect of the severity of liver cirrhosis on the level of lipids and lipoproteins. BMC Public Health.

No matter your result, your best option is to share the information with your doctor. For both in-lab and at-home cholesterol measurement, certain issues can influence the accuracy of the test: For any questions about the accuracy of specific at-home tests, you can ask the test provider for available documentation related to the testing method and results accuracy. Your blood sample is analyzed within a few days after it arrives at a CLIA-certified lab.

Tests for: Total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, Triglycerides

Accessed August 2, 2021. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/measurement-of-blood-lipids-and-lipoproteins, Rosenson RS.

Cardiovasc J S Afr. Updated July 6, 2017. Sample: Blood (fingerstick) Never re-use a lancet pen. The following sections describe the distinct purposes of at-home and physician-ordered cholesterol tests. Accessed August 2, 2021. https://arupconsult.com/content/cardiovascular-disease-traditional-risk-markers, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page.

In: Cooper DS, ed. For this reason, it is best to discuss any cholesterol test results with a doctor who can best explain its significance in your case. 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines [published correction appears in J Am Coll Cardiol. In many cases, a doctor recommends cholesterol testing for screening.

Our pick for the most affordable cholesterol test is the Cholesterol and Lipids Test from Everlywell. A test may measure only total cholesterol or may include other levels like HDL-C, LDL-C, and/or triglycerides. This test combines all the main elements of a lipid panel with a quick turnaround time and an affordable price. The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment.

Whether you choose a color-coded strip kit or a digital readout kit, use your findings as a starting point and work with your doctor to make any changes necessary to improve your cholesterol levels and overall health. Clin Exp Med. All of the core components of a standard lipid panelincluding total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglyceridesare part of the final test report, which also includes the labs normal reference ranges.

January 16, 2020. Published 2014 Sep 6. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-14-921, Rosenson RS.

Most cholesterol self-tests use a specialized test strip and a small device that can measure cholesterol levels. If so, what tests should I take and how often should I take them? At-home tests may detect high cholesterol levels that can be discussed with your doctor. Above all, make sure that the blood only goes onto the test strip and that any blood-tainted items go straight into the trash. Accessed August 2, 2021. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/lipoprotein-classification-metabolism-and-role-in-atherosclerosis, Rosenson RS, Durrington P. HDL cholesterol: Clinical aspects of abnormal values. They may be able to answer any questions you have and will likely have insight into which kit is the most popular. 1996;42(12):2002-2007. Were any of my cholesterol levels abnormal? UpToDate.

Depending on your at-home cholesterol test results, you may need follow-up tests. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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