How Can I Check and Test My Cholesterol Levels at Home?
Medically reviewed on July 13, 2022 by Jordan Stachel, M.S., RDN, CPT. To give you technically accurate, evidence-based information, content published on the Everlywell blog is reviewed by credentialed professionals with expertise in medical and bioscience fields.
Table of contents
- Can I check my cholesterol at home?
- What is an at-home cholesterol test?
- What are the different types of at-home cholesterol tests?
- Tips for testing your cholesterol at home
- Test cholesterol at home the right way with Everlywell
Can I check my cholesterol at home?
For many of us, staying in tune with our health mostly happens at the office of our healthcare provider. But if you’re hoping to improve your wellness or simply want to know where you stand, it can help to have options that meet you where you are.Monitoring your cholesterol from home is now an accessible step in taking charge of your heart health. At-home cholesterol test kits provide a straightforward way to track your cholesterol levels—crucial markers for heart disease and high blood pressure. These kits, which can measure HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels, offer an alternative to the traditional blood test at a doctor’s office.
Whether you're keeping an eye on high cholesterol levels or assessing your risk for cardiovascular disease, these kits can help you stay informed. They come with everything needed for sample collection and provide a window into your heart health, enabling better disease control and a proactive approach to mitigating heart-related issues. With a variety of kits available, it's important to review what each offers and how they work to select one that aligns with your health monitoring goals.
What is an at-home cholesterol test?
Much like a cholesterol test you might take at a healthcare facility, at-home cholesterol test kits usually works by taking a sample of your blood. This blood test is used to measure the following: [1]
- HDL cholesterol – Also known as “good cholesterol,” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol consists of the lipids primarily responsible for transporting excess LDL cholesterol to the liver.
- LDL cholesterol – Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is sometimes called “bad cholesterol.” That’s because too much LDL cholesterol can result in arterial blockage, leading to a high risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart disease.
- Total cholesterol – Total cholesterol is the total measure of HDL and LDL cholesterol present in the body.
- Triglycerides – Triglycerides are excess calories that your body has converted into fats and stored in fat cells. Having high triglyceride levels may lead to health issues, from obesity to diabetes.
How much information the test kit provides depends on the type of test you choose. Some may only give a reading of your total cholesterol, while others may give a breakdown of HDL, LDL, and triglycerides. Understanding the difference between LDL vs. HDL cholesterol as well as comparing the different kinds of tests available, can help you determine which will provide the information you need—and in a way that works for you.
What are the different types of at-home cholesterol tests?
Cholesterol home test kits come in several different formats, and each one will require you to complete different steps during the process.
Your at-home cholesterol testing options include:
- Strip-only tests
- Meter tests
- Lab tests
Let’s dive into the details of each so that you can decide which at-home cholesterol kit best meets your needs.
The strip-only test
As their name indicates, strip-only cholesterol tests consist of strips of paper that contain color-changing enzymes. When you place drops of blood on these strips, the paper changes color, indicating your cholesterol levels.
Although strip-only tests might seem pared down in terms of medical technology, they’re actually quite technical and efficient. According to a 2020 study published in Frontiers in Chemistry, strip-only cholesterol tests are excellent in terms of their selectivity and sensitivity. [2]
What’s included
This test offers practicality in the sense that you need minimal supplies to complete it. Strip-only test kits typically include the following:
- Paper test strips – The paper test strips are the most important element of this type of at-home cholesterol test. These strips usually contain enzymes that change color to indicate cholesterol levels, as well as cerium oxide nanoparticles.
- Lancets – Lancets are small, needle-like blades that allow you to prick your finger to draw blood for testing purposes.
- Color guides – Color guides allow you to compare your test strip color to determine your cholesterol levels.
How to use strip-only tests
Most strip-only cholesterol tests follow the same steps to collect blood samples and analyze cholesterol levels. These steps include:
- Cleaning the finger from which you wish to draw blood. You want to make sure your blood sample isn’t contaminated by dirt and bacteria.
- Pricking your finger to draw a drop of blood and placing the blood droplet on a testing strip.
- Waiting a few minutes for the blood test to process.
- Observing the testing strip’s color and comparing it to the color guide to determine your cholesterol test results.
Advantages and disadvantages of strip-only tests
Strip-only tests are noted for their usability, convenience, and affordability. They can be an advantageous option if you want a test that requires minimal supplies, or need an easy option while traveling. However, their results may not be as accurate as other cholesterol kits—especially lab tests.
What’s more, strip-only kits may pose difficulties when it comes to interpreting results. Learning how to understand cholesterol test results is very important and with strip-only tests, it can be a challenge. While color-change mechanisms can give accurate readings, it can be difficult to interpret the results if the color on the test strip is dull or inconclusive.
The meter test
Imagine this scenario: after applying a drop of blood to your strip-only cholesterol test, the paper strip reveals a color that’s neither red nor orange—or that features only a faded, inconclusive hue.
While you could guess your cholesterol level based on this unclear color, you risk underestimating or overestimating your good and bad cholesterol levels. But what if there was a way to combine the convenience of strip-only testing with a more accurate reading?
This is where the meter test comes in handy.
Combining the simplicity of strip-only tests with the technical capabilities of modern-day labs, cholesterol meters (sometimes known as cholesterol monitors) provide an electronic meter that reads and analyzes your strip. [2] This can make it much easier to read and interpret your test result.
What’s included
Most meter kits include paper strips, lancets, and blood collection droppers. But if you want to know how to test lipids the electronic meter is the lipid-analyzing star of the show.
Similar to electronic glucose readers used to read blood sugar levels, cholesterol meter readers record the color change after you apply a blood droplet to a testing strip. [3] The meter then converts this color change into a numerical reading.
Additionally, the most advanced meters are capable of storing data from hundreds of tests. This stored data can provide a better picture of your cholesterol levels over time.
How to use meter tests
How your electronic cholesterol meter works may differ depending on the model you choose. For this reason, it’s always important to follow the instructions that come with your test.
That said, most meter tests follow the same procedure: [3]
- Prick your finger with a lancet and place the drop of blood on the meter’s cartridge.
- After a few minutes, pull the side tab on the meter to start the reaction.
- After 15 minutes, read the calibrated results.
- Compare the numbers on the meter to a chart to interpret your cholesterol levels.
Advantages and disadvantages of meter tests
Although most meter tests use the same strip and lancet technology as strip-only kits, they provide one distinct advantage: results that are clear and easier to interpret.
By giving you a numerical reading, meter tests provide more objective results. Some cholesterol meters can also test for more than one cholesterol type.
However, meter tests tend to be more expensive than strip-only tests—and depending on the meter’s technical aspects, it can also be more difficult to use at first. In addition, researchers have found that different cholesterol meters can vary in accuracy, so the precision of your results may differ depending on the meter available to you. [3]
The lab test
When it comes to at-home cholesterol kits, the lab test sets the standard for accuracy. That’s because lab tests involve multiple sets of eyes: yours, and those of certified physicians who analyze your results and provide you with verified cholesterol readings.
As a result, most at-home lab tests follow the same procedure:
- You collect a blood sample at home using a test kit.
- You mail the blood sample to a certified lab for analysis.
- The lab sends you your results in a couple of days.
While some labs will mail you your results, the best testing kits provide digital results in a much quicker timeframe. All you need to do is register your at-home cholesterol test kit with the testing company and send your sample to the lab.
What’s included
Your lab test kit may vary depending on the one you choose. However, the most comprehensive at-home lab kits typically include the following:
- Lancets and collection tools
- Gauze
- Bandage strips
- Alcohol pads
- Patient info sticker
- Blood sample return bag
- Prepaid shipping label
The only tool missing from these kits is the lab itself. After all, it’d be tough to mail board-reviewed physicians and state-of-the-art equipment to your doorstep. Fortunately, you can still gain their expertise with nothing more than some postage.
How to use lab tests
As stated above, most cholesterol lab tests rely on similar procedures. After collecting the sample at home, you send the sample to a certified lab for a detailed analysis. The lab then sends you your results in a couple of days.
One difference you may experience is the level of guidance provided after the test is complete.
Some at-home lab kits go further when it comes to analyzing your cholesterol levels. In addition to providing you with your cholesterol numbers, the best kits give personalized and actionable results.
Advantages and disadvantages of lab tests
Out of the three at-home cholesterol kits, lab tests provide the most accurate results. They’re also capable of testing for more than just total cholesterol—they also test for HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels.
However, lab tests do come with a few drawbacks. Some cholesterol lab tests can cost more than strips or meters and can take weeks to return your results.
That said, there are at-home lab tests for cholesterol that are both cost-effective and efficient: some return your results in a matter of days and offer affordable pricing options.
Tips for testing your cholesterol at home
Cholesterol kits provide a safe, accessible, and effective alternative to testing your cholesterol at your healthcare provider. If it’s your first time using an at-home test, however, it’s easy to wonder if you’re doing everything right.
To ensure your at-home testing experience goes smoothly, follow the below tips:
- Properly sanitize the area from which you will draw blood.
- Follow the kit’s instructions carefully, including whether you should abstain from food or drinks before the test.
- If you are to abstain from food and drinks, learn how long to fast for cholesterol test kits.
- Properly store your kit before and after use.
- Make sure you understand what are good cholesterol numbers and results
- Seek a professional’s opinion if your test results are unclear.
Test cholesterol at home the right way with Everlywell
Understanding how to test cholesterol at home is important if you wish to keep track of your cholesterol levels on your own schedule.
Fortunately, the Cholesterol & Lipids Test from Everlywell can make at-home cholesterol testing easier than you ever thought possible.
To begin, simply register your kit with Everlywell.com. Then, collect your sample and mail it back. We’ll take the rest from there—including sending your sample to a CLIA-certified laboratory for detailed analysis. You’ll then receive your results in just a couple of days.
Test your cholesterol accurately and confidently with Everlywell. It’s time to take the work out of bloodwork.
Related content
How to understand cholesterol test results
What are good cholesterol numbers?
How long to fast for a cholesterol test
References
- Cholesterol test. Mayo Clinic. URL. Accessed July 13, 2022.
- Reagent-Free Colorimetric Cholesterol Test Strip Based on Self Color-Changing Property of Nanoceria. PubMed Central. URL. Accessed July 13, 2022.
- Performance of commercially-available cholesterol self-tests. Annals of Clinical Biochemistry. URL. Accessed July 13, 2022.