The best home cholesterol test kit - inews71

Your cholesterol may be measured at your doctor's office, but some of us require more routine cholesterol monitoring at home. There are a number of reasons to invest in a home cholesterol test kit. More than anything, cholesterol monitoring is a preventive approach to heart health. Once you get on the path of cholesterol monitoring, you're able to make dietary and lifestyle changes to improve your health. Daily monitoring lets you tailor your food intake based on readings, and occasional cholesterol checks ensure you're on track with your changes.

We're here to help you choose a home cholesterol test kit with our definitive buying guide.

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We're also including our top test, Solana Health's Home Cholesterol Test, which has a low margin of error comparable to that of formal lab tests.

Considerations when choosing home cholesterol test kits

Kinds of cholesterol

LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein)

LDL cholesterol is often referred to as "bad cholesterol," as it can build up in arteries and contribute to heart disease. LDL is found in fried and processed foods, as well as animal fat.

To remain heart-healthy, limit daily intake of LDL to stay within the recommended range of 100 ml/dl or lower.

HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein)

HDL cholesterol is considered "good cholesterol" since it combats bad cholesterol. It's found in lean meats, fruits and vegetables, and some grains. Optimal levels are 60 mg/dl or higher for adults.

Triglycerides

Triglyceride levels increase when you maintain a high-sugar, high-fat diet, which in turn creates high-fat levels in the blood. Foods that contribute to elevated triglyceride levels contain white flour, sugar, and high starch. It's important to eat these foods in moderation to stay below 150 mg/dl.

Total cholesterol

The combined number of LDL and HDL is called total cholesterol, which should be 200 mg/dl or less. Some people find success in adopting the DASH diet, which is a lower-sugar, lower-fat diet featuring heart-healthy recipes.

Kinds of cholesterol tests

Strip-only tests

These are the easiest to use and most affordable tests available. They require a lancet and a couple drops of blood to obtain a reading. Since strip tests give results in minutes, they're convenient if you're on the go and need to know your cholesterol levels.

The downside is that they have higher reports of inaccuracies, so they're not the best if you have to make health and diet decisions based on your immediate cholesterol reading. Strip tests can be difficult to hold for those with dexterity problems; if you need a steady hand, you may need help from another person.

Meter tests

Meter tests are more consistently reliable than strip-only tests. They often come in streamlined kits with lancets, strips, and droppers. There are dual meters which also measure glucose levels, so you're able to optimize your overall daily testing.

The primary drawback here is that It's an ongoing expense to buy supplies, which depending on the device's manufacturer, can get expensive. There's also a bit of a learning curve with them, meaning it's not uncommon to burn through extra supplies — sometimes pricey ones — while you learn.

Lab tests

These tests are by far the most accurate, as they're processed and interpreted by lab technicians. The readings are more detailed and more closely resemble those performed in medical offices.

However, because these tests are mail-away, there's a decent wait time for results. With some tests, it takes several weeks to receive them. If the sample is contaminated or was inconclusive, you have to restart the process — and pay for it, too.

FAQ

Q. My results say "inconclusive." What happened?

A. There are several possibilities, including an insufficient sample size or sample contamination. There is also the chance that the device or laboratory-made an error on their side of the test.

Q. Does it matter if my home cholesterol test kit is FDA-approved?

A. An FDA-approved test may be more accurate than one that isn't. To obtain FDA approval, medical testing devices like home cholesterol test kits are subjected to rigorous testing before hitting the consumer market, including accuracy testing.

Home cholesterol test kits we recommend

Best of the best: Solana Health's Home Cholesterol Test

Our take: It takes only minutes to complete the test in this FDA-approved mail-away test kit.

What we like: Accurate option if you lack health insurance and can't afford a lab test. The consistency rate is impressive and comparable to formal lab results.

What we dislike: Since you're mailed the results, delays in the mail service means it can take a while.

Best bang for your buck: Everly Well's At-Home Cholesterol & Lipids Test

Our take: Submit your sample and access your results online.

What we like: Well-designed test kit that comes with prepaid test envelopes. User-friendly.

What we dislike: Not permitted for use or sale in NY, NJ, or RI. The inconsistent analysis is common.

Choice 3: Healthy Europe's PRIMA Cholesterol Test Strips

Our take: Get reading in minutes with these test strips for the PRIMA test meter.

What we like: Accurate way to figure out when your cholesterol spikes after eating certain foods.

What we dislike: You're drawing your own blood — make sure you're prepared for that aspect of the test.

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