Cholesterol Test

Why use at-home Lipid profile test kits for heart health?

Cholesterol, also known as a lipid, is a fatty substance in your blood. It helps to make sure your cells work correctly, as well as make vitamin D and vital hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. Too much cholesterol, however, causes hypercholesterolemia, which increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. High cholesterol is usually caused by lifestyle factors such as eating too much fatty food and not exercising enough. Other factors can however also increase your risk. These include a thyroid condition, diabetes, and a family history of high cholesterol.

Our at-home finger-prick Cholesterol Blood Test can help check your blood levels of total cholesterol, good and bad cholesterol, as well as triglycerides, allowing you to take the appropriate steps to reduce high cholesterol levels. Be aware, that cholesterol levels are only one part of your heart health. You may still be at an increased risk of heart disease, even with healthy cholesterol levels, if you have other risk factors. Other medications such as steroids, diuretics, and beta blockers may also lead to falsely raised cholesterol levels.

How does a Lipid profile home test kit help monitor cholesterol?

There are a few different types of cholesterol, but total cholesterol contains mainly HDL (high density lipoprotein) and LDL (low density lipoprotein). The important factor here is how much HDL and LDL cholesterol you have, and the proportion of protective HDL cholesterol in your total cholesterol. The home Lipid profile test kits test for:

LDL cholesterol

LDL cholesterol, also called ‘bad cholesterol’, can cause fatty deposits to collect inside the artery walls. This may lead to atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Non-HDL cholesterol

Your blood contains more types of harmful cholesterol than just LDL, such as VLDL (very low-density lipoproteins) and other lipoproteins, thought to be more harmful than LDL cholesterol. Your non-HDL cholesterol is calculated by subtracting your HDL cholesterol from your total cholesterol and includes all the potentially harmful cholesterol in your blood, not just LDL. It is considered a better measure for cardiovascular risk than total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Your recommended non-HDL cholesterol level is below 4 mmol/L.

HDL cholesterol

HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) is also known as ‘good cholesterol’ as it removes cholesterol from the bloodstream, transporting it to the liver, where it is broken down and removed from the body. Your cholesterol/HDL ratio is calculated by dividing your total cholesterol value by your HDL cholesterol level to measure your cardiovascular risk.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are a type of fat converted by your body from excess calories, from fat or carbohydrates. These are then stored as fat in cells, which your body releases when energy is required.

The Cholesterol Blood Test gives you a full breakdown of your cholesterol status, including HDL, non-HDL and triglyceride levels. The ratio of these is used to assess your risk of cardiovascular disease. You can use the test to monitor how lifestyle changes can reduce your risk over time.

How to use a Lipid profile test kit at home

You can take our Cholesterol blood test at home, using our finger-prick test kit. We’ll send you everything you need, including instructions and a pre-paid return envelope for your blood sample.

Can Lipid profile home tests detect cholesterol imbalances?

Yes, some Lipid profile home test kits can detect cholesterol imbalances, but the accuracy of these results may vary.

Do at-home Lipid profile tests accurately measure HDL, LDL, and triglycerides?

Some home cholesterol tests are as accurate as those used by healthcare professionals, but the accuracy of the results will depend on the brand of the test and how well you follow the instructions.

Should you fast before taking a Lipid profile home test?

Your healthcare provider will tell you if you need to fast before taking a lipid profile home test.

What are the benefits of the Cholesterol blood test?

• The home test kits are assembled within the UK
• All test kits are security sealed with confidential health test results
• All laboratory testing is performed in an ISO:15189 accredited clinical laboratory

Frequently Asked Questions about Cholesterol blood tests

What is a normal cholesterol level?

As a guide, the NHS gives the following targets:

• Total cholesterol ≤ 5 mmol/L
• HDL ≥ 1 mmol/L for men; ≥ 1.2 mmol/L for women
• LDL ≤ 3 mmol/L
• Non-HDL ≤ 4 mmol/L
• Triglycerides ≤ 2.3 mmol/L

How does this cholesterol test measure bad cholesterol?

Our Cholesterol Blood Test measures bad blood cholesterol by subtracting your HDL cholesterol result from your total cholesterol.

Do men have higher levels of cholesterol than women?

Women have higher good cholesterol levels than men due to hormonal differences, but there is no difference in a man’s or woman’s predisposition for high levels of bad cholesterol.

What does a lipid profile home test kit measure?

A lipid profile home test kit measures your total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, and your triglyceride levels.

How accurate are home lipid profile tests compared to lab results?

Home lipid profile tests can be as accurate as those compared to lab results. However, the brand and how well you follow the instruction can affect the accuracy of the results.

Can I take a lipid profile test kit after eating or drinking?

You may need to fast for 10 to 12 hours before your lipid profile blood test. Your healthcare provider will tell you if you need to do this before taking your lipid panel home test.

How often should I monitor my cholesterol levels using a home test?

Adults at low risk and over the age of 20 should check their cholesterol every 4–6 years. A doctor may recommend checking your cholesterol levels more often if you are at a higher risk of developing heart disease, or already have heart disease.

How do I collect a blood sample for a lipid profile home test?

You can take our Cholesterol blood test at home, using our finger-prick test kit. We’ll send you everything you need, including instructions and a pre-paid return envelope for your blood sample.

What causes high cholesterol?

High cholesterol is caused mainly by lifestyle factors such as eating too much fatty food and not getting enough exercise. However, a family history of high cholesterol, thyroid problems and diabetes can also increase your risk.

What happens if I have high cholesterol?

High cholesterol may not cause any obvious symptoms and most people don’t realise they have high cholesterol until they develop a serious health condition, such as a heart attack. It is important to check your cholesterol levels on a regular basis to ensure you are not at risk.

Can I reduce high cholesterol?

Yes. A healthy diet and changes to your lifestyle can help. Eating more fibre and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and eating less saturated fat can help. However, lifestyle changes alone may not be enough and you may need medications like statins to help reduce your cholesterol levels.