With the rise of the internet comes the rise of knowledge and the ready availability of a variety of medical supplies and procedures that used to be available only in a doctor's office. You can get every kind of test now, from pregnancy tests to drug tests, in the mail. Cholesterol is not exception, you can even get those in the mail now, also.

Are they reliable? Some people don't think so. However, if you are worried about your cholesterol and have no insurance or can't afford to see a doctor, they may be a temporary solution for you top determine your risk factor for heart disease. Of course you can also just live a heart healthy lifestyle, eating better and exercising more, and it would be the smarter choice in the long run.

According to the Mayo Clinic, home test kits for LDL cholesterol levels do not work. The Mayo Clinic site warns potential users about their accuracy, consistency and reliability. Of course, as with anything, if you can't get to a doctor for whatever reason, and don't manage your health through diet, the home test kits may be your best alternative.

What should you look for in an LDL test kit? You want one that is going to be processed through a reputable lab, first and foremost. You should find a lab that sells their own test kits, and then do a little research to make sure that the kits are sterile and the lab is sterile and thorough in its procedures.

Each kit you order should test for all cholesterol levels, and the results should break them out for you into HDL, LDL, triglyceride levels and total cholesterol. this is called a "full lipid profile". If the test only checks your total cholesterol without breaking down the results, it isn't worth the money because it won't tell you what you need to know.

Each kit needs to have a sterile, individually wrapped finger prick, and a sterile container, also wrapped, to send the sample back to the lab in. Most test kits also include the correct mailer packaging for the sample, so that it is properly labeled for sending through the mail, as live fluids are often considered a hazard to postal workers.

Once you have pricked your finger with the lancet according to instructions, then packaged it and mailed it using the supplies provided, you will have to wait for results. this usually takes 2 - 4 weeks, and the results usually come with a breakdown of how to interpret them. One important thing to remember: if your results are in the red flag danger zone for high cholesterol, you need to make and appointment with a doctor and get on a monitored program to lower your cholesterol.

Ldl Cholesterol | Medical Disclaimer |