Most Accurate Home Cholesterol Test Kits That Are Easy to Use
Keep track of your levels at home!
If your cholesterol is high, or if you’re trying to maintain a healthy level, the more you know the better. Using a home cholesterol test kit is a great way to keep track of your numbers in between doctor visits. Below, learn more about the accuracy of at-home cholesterol testing kits and whether or not they’re approved by the FDA. Then discover some of the highest customer-rated at-home cholesterol test kits and why people love using them to monitor their cholesterol.
Are All Home Cholesterol Tests Accurate?
Home cholesterol tests are more accurate and convenient than ever before. In fact, WebMD claims over-the-counter cholesterol tests are 95 percent accurate. While that isn’t as accurate as your doctor’s reading (and should never replace doctor-ordered bloodwork), the ease of use and affordability of home tests make them worth the money. They range in price from $50-$300, and come with all the tools you need to quickly check your cholesterol levels. While it can take weeks to learn your ordered test results, home tests can take as little as five minutes to read and report your levels.
Are All Home Cholesterol Test Kits FDA-Approved?
Not all test kits are FDA-approved, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t effective. Only one of the three top tests we’ve reviewed below is FDA-approved (and its price reflects that!). But because home tests aren’t meant to replace doctor-ordered panels, non-FDA-approved tests can be used as a guide, as well as to raise an alarm if your levels were to spike or dip. The FDA recommends that whichever test you choose offers test strips that 1. are not expired and 2. are made in the USA.
Best At-home Cholesterol Kits
- best fda-approved home cholesterol test kit: CURO L7 Professional Grade Lipid Blood Cholesterol Test Home Kit
- best mail-in home cholesterol test kit: Everlywell Cholesterol and Lipids Test
- Best Comprehensive At-Home Cholesterol Test: ACCU-ANSWER 4 In 1 Hemoglobin Test Meter Kit
- High Accuracy Cholesterol Test Kit : 5-in-1 Total Cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, Glucose, and Triglyceride Meter
- best quick-read HOME CHOLESTEROL TEST KIT: CURO L5 Digital Cholesterol Test Kit Home
How long to fast before a cholesterol test
Fasting isn’t always necessary before a cholesterol test. Some doctors might recommend fasting if you take statins, or cholesterol-lowering drugs. But cholesterol can be tested without fasting, especially if you aren’t on medication for cholesterol. Your doctor will guide you about whether or not you should fast before getting a cholesterol test or taking one at home. If it is recommended you fast, avoid eating for 9-12 hours before the test.
How to test cholesterol at home
At-home cholesterol test kits are a convenient and safe way to monitor your levels without having to go to the lab or doctor’s office. Most of the time, these results appear in a matter of minutes (or seconds with some tests!) instead of hours or days.
Usually cholesterol test kits come with a lancet for drawing blood, test strips, and the device that will read those strips and provide your results. Here’s how to use your at-home cholesterol kit:
- Prick your finger with the lancet.
- Place the blood droplet on the test strip, which will change colors after a few minutes.
- Match the color against the guide included with your kit or insert the strip into the mechanism and await your results to find out how much cholesterol is in your blood.
Scroll for the best home cholesterol test kits we’ve found that got great reviews.
CURO L7 Professional Grade Lipid Blood Cholesterol Test Home Kit
- Description
- Pros
$199, Amazon
This FDA-approved, professional-grade home cholesterol test kit works in as little as three minutes, and is a great investment if you’re trying to lower your cholesterol. One drop of blood tests six levels (Total cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL, LDL, LDL/HDL and non-HDL Cholesterols). The instructions are clear and easy-to-follow, but if you need extra support, an 800-number is provided for free assistance. Bonus tip: For best results, reviewers suggest filling the draw tube completely to the line before dispensing on the test strip. When you insert the test strip, make sure that the lid is closed and the power is on.
Promising review: “This works better than the competition — having just one panel-worth of blood means much less sticking, squeezing, and pain. Good results. Saves me a LOT of hassle getting tests at a lab!”
- FDA-approved and CRMLN certified
- Tests in 3 minutes
- Comes with 10 test strips and lancets
Everlywell Cholesterol and Lipids Test
- Description
- Pros
$49, Everlywell
This mail-in home cholesterol kit functions the way other tests do by testing a drop of your blood, and it measures four levels: Total Cholesterol, HDL, Calculated LDL, and Triglycerides. After mailing in your blood sample to a CLIA-certified lab (prepaid shipping is provided), an independent board-certified physician reviews your test and writes a customized report. The results can be viewed on the Everlywell website with your unique kit ID, and can even downloaded to be shared with your physician.
Promising review: “What’s great about this is it is clean, easy, and quick to use. I found that a hot shower first helped get the blood drops flowing and for me and made the process easier. Results arrive quickly and result explanations are very well done, accurate, informative, and offer educational consults if needed.”
- Mail-in test with prepaid shipping
- Get personalized results within days
- CLIA-certified (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments)
ACCU-ANSWER 4 In 1 Hemoglobin Test Meter Kit
- Description
- Pros
$110, Amazon
Measuring your total cholesterol, hemoglobin, sugar, and uric acid has never been simpler. Get results in just five seconds with the smallest sample and trust that they’re as accurate as they would be in the lab with this 4-in-1 cholesterol test! Plus, you can store up to 400 test results with date and time to keep track of your situation and check your 7/15/30 Day average to monitor your improvements.
Promising review: “This product works perfectly! The display is beautiful and easy to read, perfect for older people. The hemoglobin test kit is accurate and quick to use. It is very simple to operate and highly recommended.”
- Easy to operate in one meter with a small sample
- Results in just five seconds!
- Closest and most accurate at-home testing compared to going to the lab
5-in-1 Total Cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, Glucose, and Triglyceride Meter
- Description
- Pros
$499, Amazon
Get 10% off with coupon!
All it takes is a 45μL microsample to get results of total cholestrol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholestrol, triacylglycerol, and glucose without the trip to the lab. The 4.6″ OLED touch screen are ideal for older people to use and read and comprehensive results are ready in just three minutes. This 5-in-1 home health tracking kit will also store your results with the date and time so you can keep track of changes in your health. It’s simple, easy, and convenient!
- Measures total cholestrol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholestrol, triacylglycerol, and glucose
- Easy to use and read results
- Stores data and comes with a storage bag
CURO L5 Digital Cholesterol Test Kit Home
- Description
- Pros
$99, Amazon
Gain information on your Cholesterol within 3 minutes! The Curo L5 Kit will provide a meaningful breakdown of your Cholesterol levels and comes with the CURO L5 Device, 10x Total Cholesterol Test Strips, 50 Glucose Strips, 10x Capillary Rods, Lancing Pen, 10x Lancets, Portable Storage Pouch, User Manual, and two AAA Batteries.
Promising review: “I see others having issues but my unit and results seem to be fine. I’ve had mine for almost a year now. I used before my physical to compare and my numbers were +/- 10 points.”
- Extremely easy to use
- Instant test results
- Measures total cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides
If you don’t want to take a home cholesterol test, Quest Diagnostics offers a cholesterol (lipid) panel for just $59. Find the Quest Diagnostics nearest to you and schedule your cholesterol panel to help assess risk for heart attack, heart disease, and other diseases of the blood vessels today.
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