subject: Self Testing Kits for High Cholesterol [print this page] Self Testing Kits for High Cholesterol Self Testing Kits for High Cholesterol
Did you know that high cholesterol is a serious problem in America? High cholesterol is part of a serious epidemic that can cause a heart attack or stroke, and your risk increases with age. So if you are over 25 years of age, you should visit the doctor on a regular basis to get your cholesterol level checked.
Ideally, you should aim to have your cholesterol checked every five years or so, but if you are at greater risk of heart problems because of family history or being overweight, you will probably want to go every year. If you keep monitoring your cholesterol levels throughout your adult life you can be aware of any increase in risk so that you can deal with it quickly, and before it grows into a serious problem.
Although the doctor's surgery is the best place to have your cholesterol checked, many people are turning to a home cholesterol testing kit so that they can test their levels in the privacy of their own homes. If you can't find a home testing kit local, either search online for one or check out some of the local pharmacies to try to locate one. If you discover that your levels are higher than they should be, you should then consult your doctor for advice on how to deal with it.
It is important to understand what the readings mean when you test your cholesterol so it is advisable to do some research before you test your own levels. First, you need to learn a little about cholesterol levels and what they tell you about your health. There are three or more different readings that the doctor will take. Your "good cholesterol" or HDL-cholesterol level should ideally be above 40. On the other hand, LDL-cholesterol, commonly called "bad cholesterol" should be around 130 for anyone in good health with no family history of cardiovascular disease or stroke, and at 100 or lower if you do have a family history of heart attacks or stroke. In the report that is generated you may see a number of other figures included, but your cholesterol numbers are the most important ones to monitor.
Most home cholesterol testing kits will only give you a "total cholesterol" reading, including an aggregate of HDL and LDL numbers and some other considerations as well. If this is the case, your total cholesterol number should be below 200 for the average person in good health. You may find that the kit shows that you have a completely normal cholesterol level, but sometimes these test kits can be very misleading. Some self-testing kits are now adding other options in an effort to make this process easier to understand, but if you aren't knowledgeable about the many different kinds of cholesterol, it can still be confusing.
Make sure that you follow all of the directions to the self-testing kit very carefully. If you do it correctly, you should be able to replicate the medical results accurately just as if the doctor had performed the test instead of you. It is important to recognize that some companies produce better products than others and take this into account when making your purchase; price, unfortunately, is not always a reliable indicator of the best kits available on the market.
The actual process is a blood test, so you will have to prick your finger to obtain a sample in order to test your cholesterol. If this is likely to make your squeamish, you can always let your physician do the test instead. In fact, these kits are designed as a quick and convenient way of checking your cholesterol at home, but they are not intended to replace a regular doctor's visit. It is always advisable to make an appointment with your doctor if you are uncertain about your cholesterol levels or if you think that they might be at an unhealthy level.
