Review: Home Cholesterol Tests

Those who have high cholesterol should check their levels on a regular basis. This can of course be done at a doctor's office in a clinical setting, but using a home cholesterol test kit can be as effective if a good test kit is used. A home cholesterol test is quick and easy, and there are many to choose from. Here are some of the products available to test cholesterol at home.

The Home Access Instant Cholesterol Test is affordable and includes a help line to call if any problems or questions arise. The kit itself includes everything needed for one home cholesterol test: one testing device, one cholesterol results chart, two lancets, one gauze pad, one bandage, and one instruction insert. Only one drop of blood is needed from a finger stick and results can be seen in 15 minutes.

The CholesTrack home cholesterol test kit also uses the finger stick method, as do most test kits. Their kit is designed to be read like a non-digital thermometer. One or two drops of blood on the unit is required, with results available in 12 minutes. They claim to have an accuracy rating of 97% and carry 16 U.S. patents for their home cholesterol test.

Craig Medical Distribution Inc. offers their Venture home cholesterol test, which also reads like a thermometer and has built-in indicators that show the test is working and when the test is done. It also includes a comparison chart for test results. They claim a 97% accuracy rate for testing cholesterol levels between 125 and 325 mg/dl.

Another way to test cholesterol at home is to use shat is known as a panel test. The BioIQ home cholesterol test kit requires an actual collecting of a blood sample, which is then sent into their certified testing lab. They respond with results of the test and recommended steps to take in 4 to 8 business days. They include an instructional video for collecting the blood sample, which will make the test seem less daunting and easier to administer.

There are also products available to test cholesterol at home while checking for other blood-related conditions. The Accu-Chek Instant Plus is a kit that provides a way to test for cholesterol as well as glucose levels, which is important for those concerned about diabetes. The test results for cholesterol are ready in 3 minutes when using their test kit.