Check any medicine cabinet in America, and you'll find do-it-yourself health tests of all kinds. Ovulation, gynecological infections and high blood sugar can all be detected with simple home tests. Cholesterol tests are also available for home use. The options range from single-use, disposable tests to sophisticated digital monitors. They're about as accurate as the test your doctor gives and only require a small finger-prick and a few minutes to work.
But before you buy one, here are some things to think about:
It may not be a complete test
The American Heart Association recommends having a fasting lipoprotein panel every five years, starting at age 20. This is a complete test that gives four results: total cholesterol,
LDL ("bad") cholesterol,
HDL ("good") cholesterol and triglycerides.
All of these measures provide important information for your overall cardiovascular health. But some home cholesterol tests only give one or two, providing an incomplete picture of how cholesterol may be affecting you.
It may not be as easy as it looks
Tests can require several drops of blood for a reading, and you may have only a few minutes to get them. If you're not used to pricking your finger for a blood sample, you may end up with a sore finger and an invalid test.
It doesn't come with professional, personalized advice
Getting your results from your doctor's office means learning what those numbers mean for you, given your medical history, lifestyle, age, gender and current health. Reading a test strip in your bathroom doesn't tell you whether it's time to go on medication or how to change your diet.
It may not be worth the time or expense
If you're in good overall health, your cholesterol only needs to be tested every five years. If you're at a high risk for cardiovascular disease, your doctor may recommend more frequent testing -- but it's unlikely to be so frequent that office visits aren't possible. The most thorough cholesterol monitors can cost up to $200, which seems steep compared to the co-pay at your doctor's office.
Still, a home test may provide useful information. If you're uninsured or can't easily arrange doctor's appointments, a home cholesterol test can help you decide when it's time to schedule one. Even the less thorough tests can be of some use. For example, a troubling total cholesterol reading -- 200 mg/dL or more -- means a full lipoprotein panel should be your next move.
If you decide to try a home cholesterol test, here are some things to keep in mind:
Choose wisely
Accuracy can vary from brand to brand, so read the packaging carefully. If you're buying online, check user reviews before you decide.
Follow the directions carefully
The accuracy of a home test depends on performing each step precisely.
Do the test at the right time
Tests should be done after at least nine hours of fasting. (First thing in the morning is easiest.) Also, don't test during pregnancy or at times of extreme physical stress, such as after surgery or a serious accident.
Sources:
"Cholesterol, Home Testing Devices." americanheart.org. 2008. American Heart Association. 5 Oct. 2008 <http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4501>.
"Cholesterol: The Test." labtestsonline.org. 26 Sep. 2008. American Association for Clinical Chemistry. 5 Oct. 2008 <http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/cholesterol/glance.html>.
"Home-Use Tests -- Cholesterol." fda.gov. 1 Feb. 2003. Food and Drug Administration. 5 Oct. 2008 <http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/oivd/homeuse-cholesterol.html>.
