At-Home Cholesterol Test: What You Need to Know - GoodRx (2024)

Did you know? You can have high cholesterol but not know that you have it. That’s because high cholesterol has no symptoms — until it’s too late, and you experience a stroke or heart attack.

High cholesterol is common. More than 1 in 3 American adults have it. You’re more likely to have high cholesterol if you:

• Have family members with heart problems

• Have family members with high cholesterol

• Are male

• Smoke

• Drink alcohol

• Don’t exercise

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• Have a BMI over 25

• Have other medical conditions, or take certain medications

A simple lab test can tell you if you have high cholesterol. But many Americans still don’t get tested. In fact, according to a recent survey, 40% of Americans said they don’t go to the doctor for medical tests because of the cost. Time is also a factor.

With this in mind, it’s no surprise that home-based lab tests are attractive. They’re an easy way to test your cholesterol at home. But even though they’re convenient, the truth is they shouldn’t replace seeing your doctor.

First, what is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fat found in your blood. There are two types of cholesterol:

• LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein): This is “bad” cholesterol. If your LDL levels are too high, the extra cholesterol can start to block your arteries. This raises your risk for heart attack and stroke.

• HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein): This is “good” cholesterol because it helps to remove extra cholesterol from your body. Having a high HDL can actually be a good thing. It can prevent build up in your arteries and protect your heart.

Cholesterol testing can also measure the number of triglycerides in your blood. Triglycerides are another type of fat that can affect your risk for heart attack and stroke.

According to the CDC, normal cholesterol test results are:

How does a home cholesterol test work?

Some home cholesterol tests measure total cholesterol while others measure total cholesterol plus HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels. Make sure to read labels closely to know exactly what your kit will measure.

You can get a cholesterol test kit with or without a meter. Here’s how they work:

Home cholesterol test kits without a meter

Cholesterol kits come with test strips and a lancet. A lancet is a small, fine blade or needle. You use it to prick your finger to draw a drop of blood. Place the drop of blood on a test strip. The strip will change colors after a minute or two. Compare your test strip color with the color guide that comes with your kit. It will tell you your cholesterol level.

Home cholesterol kits with a meter

Newer cholesterol kits have an electronic meter much like blood glucose meters used for diabetes. Instead of waiting for your test strip to change colors, you insert it into your meter to measure your cholesterol. These kits cost more than the kits with paper strips only, about $100 to $200 for a starter package.

Mail-in kits

Some kits come with a prepaid mailer like the Everlywell Cholesterol & Lipids Test. You take your blood sample at home and then send it to a lab. Unlike other home tests, mail-in kits are reviewed by a health professional. The lab then delivers your results either by phone or on a secure website. One Everlywell cholesterol test costs about $50.

What are the benefits?

Home cholesterol testing has many benefits:

• Easy to find in drugstores and online

• You usually don’t need a prescription

• Fast and convenient

• Can be done from the comfort of your own home

• Uses a smaller needle than a laboratory blood test

• Often accurate, if used correctly

• Depending on the kit, you might not need to fast (not eat) beforehand

• May be less expensive than the cost of visiting an in-person laboratory

• Can help you stay motivated with lifestyle changes, like diet and exercise

What are the drawbacks?

While home test kits offer several benefits, they also have downsides.

• Limited measurements: Many kits only measure your overall cholesterol levels. This is not enough information to assess your heart health. You can have a normal total cholesterol level, but still have high LDL or bad cholesterol. To get a clear assessment of your heart health, look for a kit that tests LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels.

• Hard to read: If you don’t use a kit with an electronic meter, you may have trouble reading the color on the test strip. This will make it harder to understand your test results.

• Lack of medical evaluation: Home health kits cannot replace your healthcare provider’s insights. Only your physician can consider factors, such as your weight, diet, exercise, blood pressure, and whether you smoke or not. This will help you and your provider find the best treatment options for you if your cholesterol is high.

• Expense: At-home testing kits can sometimes be expensive. And they might not be covered by your insurance.

Are home test kits for cholesterol accurate?

Yes, at-home test kits for cholesterol are generally accurate — so long as you follow the instructions closely. Read the instructions carefully, so you know the answers to these questions:

• Where should I store the test kit before use?

• When does the test kit expire?

• Do I need to fast (not eat) before testing?

• How much blood should I get on the test strip, so that there’s a large enough sample?

• How long do I need to wait before reading the test results?

For best results, make sure you look for a kit that’s FDA approved or sold by a lab with a good reputation. And of course, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you understand the results — especially if you get results that are inconsistent or surprising.

Which home cholesterol test kit is best?

It can be hard to know where to begin when choosing a home cholesterol test kit. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Choose an FDA-approved home test. If you’ll be doing the test at home yourself, be sure to use an FDA-approved test for best results. Current options include the CardioChek and Curo L5 home test systems. The FDA also has an online database where you can search for other FDA-approved home tests.

• Choose a CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited lab. Doing a mail-in lab test? There aren’t any mail-in tests that have FDA-approval — it’s not required when a lab is making and selling its own tests. But being CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited means the lab meets (or exceeds) federal standards for accuracy. Examples include Everlywell and Let’s Get Checked.

• Always use new, FDA-authorized test strips. You should not reuse test strips or use test strips that aren’t authorized for sale in the U.S.

And finally, make sure to continue to see your healthcare provider regularly. Home cholesterol tests work best as an add-on to in-person care — rather than as a substitute. You shouldn’t try to diagnose or treat yourself based on a home test.

How to save money on at-home test kits

The cost of home testing varies. To save money, consider what your goals are for cholesterol testing. Do you need to test often to see if your medication is working? If so, a home testing system might be the right choice — even though they usually cost more to buy at first. Are you just curious about your heart health? Then, a one-time mail-in test might be the best solution. These are often cheaper than buying your own analyzer.

Other ideas for saving on home testing kits include:

• Checking the manufacturer’s website for specials

• Looking for coupons or promo codes online

• Using funds from your flexible spending account (FSA) or your health savings account (HSA)

• Comparing prices on online pharmacies and with mega-retailers, like Amazon and Walmart