Home Test Kits for Cholesterol Levels: Thoroughly Assessed by Experts
Cholesterol, a waxy, fat-like substance that travels through the bloodstream in the form of lipoproteins, plays a crucial role in the body. It helps generate vitamin D, produce bile acids for nutrient absorption, and produce hormones. However, an imbalance in cholesterol levels can lead to health issues, particularly high cholesterol.
Not all cholesterol tests require fasting. A person should only fast if their doctor or the test manufacturer recommends it. If fasting is necessary, this usually means they can only drink water for a certain amount of time before the test.
When it comes to testing cholesterol levels, there are two main options: professional lab tests and at-home cholesterol tests. While home test kits offer convenience, they are less reliable than professional lab tests. Studies show that some home tests can measure HDL cholesterol within about 12% and total cholesterol within 10% of lab results, with triglycerides less precise at about 15% variance. However, the accuracy differs significantly by brand, with some performing excellently, while others perform poorly.
Home test kits tend to lack standardization and regulation, resulting in inconsistencies in reliability. Many self-testing products have usability issues, errors with sampling, and interpretation difficulties that can lead to incorrect or misleading results. Research suggests that almost 60% of off-the-shelf medical tests, including cholesterol tests, may have errors leading to wrong results, and claims of 98% accuracy are often unsupported by robust evidence.
Therefore, while home cholesterol tests may be useful for preliminary monitoring, they should not replace professional evaluations. Laboratory testing by healthcare professionals remains the gold standard for accurate assessment, especially for individuals with cardiovascular risk factors or when precise diagnosis and treatment decisions are needed.
A doctor may recommend more frequent cholesterol screenings for people with a family history of heart attack and high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, or hypertension. A blood test is the only way to find out if a person has high cholesterol. If a person receives a positive cholesterol test result, they should consider seeking medical advice.
In addition to regular screenings, a doctor may prescribe medications such as statins to help lower cholesterol levels. They may also recommend specific home care strategies, such as exercise, reaching or maintaining a moderate weight, and following a balanced diet.
People who want to check their cholesterol levels can purchase an at-home test kit. These kits come with instructions and all the tools necessary to collect a sample. However, it's essential to interpret home test results cautiously and consult healthcare providers for confirmation and comprehensive assessment.
High cholesterol may cause fatty bumps on the skin called xanthomas and gray-white rings around the cornea. It may also have a genetic component and run in families. Total cholesterol levels should be under 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), with LDL cholesterol under 100 mg/dL and HDL cholesterol greater than or equal to 60 mg/dL. Triglyceride levels should be under 150 mg/dL.
Healthy adults should undergo a cholesterol test every 4 to 6 years. However, if you have any concerns about your cholesterol levels or are at a higher risk, it's always best to consult a healthcare professional.
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[2] Grundy, S. M., Brewer, H. B., Cleeman, J. I., Smith, S. C., Hennekens, C., McLaughlin, T., … Cholesterol Treatment Trialists' (CTT) Collaboration. 2019. 2018 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA/AHA/AHA Council on Cardiovascular Nursing; American Association of Diabetes Educators; National Association of Diabetes Educators; American Association of Kidney Patients; National Kidney Foundation; National Lipid Association; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines; American Academy of Family Physicians; American College of Physicians; American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists; and the Association of Black Cardiologists. 2019 ACC/AHA guideline on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: executive summary: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019;73(25):3170–3225. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2019.03.009
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- The imbalance in cholesterol levels, a significant medical condition, can lead to health issues, particularly high cholesterol.
- People with cardiovascular risk factors such as COPD, diabetes, obesity, or hypertension may require more frequent cholesterol screenings.
- Seekers of thorough cholesterol assessments should opt for professional lab tests over at-home cholesterol tests, which are less reliable.
- Digest the results of home cholesterol tests cautiously and consult healthcare providers for confirmation due to variations in brand accuracy.
- Predictive studies suggest that about 60% of off-the-shelf medical tests, including cholesterol tests, may yield incorrect or misleading results.
- A doctor may prescribe medications or recommend healthy lifestyle changes to manage diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol levels, which are risk factors for cardiovascular health and conditions like heart attack.
