Cholesterol test kit: how home tests work and what the numbers mean
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- Lipid panel meter kit. Best for: Seeing HDL, LDL and triglycerides at home. See options on Amazon
- Total cholesterol meter kit. Best for: Checking the one number the FDA flags at 200 mg/dL. See options on Amazon
- Refill strips for your cholesterol meter. Best for: Repeat checks your doctor asks for. See options on Amazon
What a home cholesterol test measures
The FDA describes a home cholesterol kit as a quantitative test, meaning it tells you the amount of total cholesterol in your sample. Some tests also measure triglycerides, another type of fat in the blood. A lab lipid panel, MedlinePlus explains, measures LDL, HDL, total cholesterol and triglycerides.
- LDL. MedlinePlus calls LDL the main source of blockages in the arteries.
- HDL. HDL helps get rid of LDL, and a higher HDL may help reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke.
- Total cholesterol. This includes HDL and LDL.
- Triglycerides. High levels may increase the risk of heart disease, especially in women, MedlinePlus says.
Check the box before you buy: a total cholesterol kit will not give you LDL or HDL.
How the test works
The FDA says you prick your finger with a lancet to get a drop of blood, then put the drop on a paper strip that contains special chemicals. The paper changes color depending on how much cholesterol is in your blood, and some kits use a small machine to tell you the amount. MedlinePlus adds that a home kit includes a device to prick your finger and that you should follow the kit instructions carefully.
On fasting, MedlinePlus says you may need to fast for 9 to 12 hours before a blood cholesterol test, and your provider will tell you whether you need to. Follow your kit's own instructions too.
Accuracy
The FDA says a home test is about as accurate as the test your doctor uses, but only if you follow the directions carefully. It also says:
- Total cholesterol tests vary in accuracy from brand to brand.
- Information about a test's accuracy is printed on its package.
- Tests that say they are traceable to a CDC program may be more accurate than others.
Look for that traceability statement and the accuracy information on the package when comparing kits.
What the numbers mean
| Measure | Healthy level, adults 20 and older | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | Less than 200 mg/dL | FDA: talk to your doctor if higher than 200 |
| LDL | Less than 100 mg/dL | Lower is better for heart health |
| HDL | 60 mg/dL or more is best | Low is less than 40 for men, less than 50 for women |
| Non-HDL | Less than 130 mg/dL | Also listed by MedlinePlus |
Levels are from MedlinePlus for adults age 20 or older; for people 19 or younger, MedlinePlus lists total cholesterol less than 170 mg/dL. The FDA adds a triglyceride goal of less than 150 mg/dL. MedlinePlus says a healthy level for you may depend on your age, family history, lifestyle and other risk factors, so ask your provider what is right for you.
How often to check
The FDA says that if you are more than 20 years old you should test your cholesterol about every 5 years, and more often if your doctor has you on a special diet or medicine for cholesterol. MedlinePlus gives similar general guidance: younger adults every 5 years, men 45 to 65 and women 55 to 65 every 1 to 2 years, and people older than 65 every year.
MedlinePlus says you may need testing more often if you have a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, smoke, carry excess weight, are not active, or eat a diet high in saturated fat. Follow your doctor's advice on timing. For another heart risk factor you can track at home, see our upper arm blood pressure monitor guide.
If your result is high
The FDA says to talk to your doctor if your cholesterol is higher than 200 mg/dL, and that your doctor may want you to test again. MedlinePlus says you can take steps to lower high cholesterol, such as eating a healthy diet that reduces foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol. A home kit is a check, not a diagnosis, so bring your result to your provider.
If you are reading about supplements, see our plant sterols guide and ask your doctor before adding one.
What to look for when you buy
Lipid panel meter kit
Best for: Seeing HDL, LDL and triglycerides at home
Reports more than total cholesterol, closer to the lab panel MedlinePlus describes.
Watch out: Check the package for accuracy data and CDC traceability, per the FDA.
See options on AmazonTotal cholesterol meter kit
Best for: Checking the one number the FDA flags at 200 mg/dL
The FDA describes total cholesterol home kits that read a finger stick drop on a strip.
Watch out: Does not give LDL or HDL.
See options on AmazonRefill strips for your cholesterol meter
Best for: Repeat checks your doctor asks for
The FDA says your doctor may want you to test again after a high result.
Watch out: Use only the strips made for your meter.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Are home cholesterol tests accurate?
- The FDA says about as accurate as your doctor's test if you follow directions carefully; accuracy varies by brand.
- What cholesterol number is too high?
- The FDA says talk to your doctor if total cholesterol is higher than 200 mg/dL.
- Do I need to fast before a cholesterol test?
- MedlinePlus says you may need to fast 9 to 12 hours; follow your provider's and kit's instructions.
- Does a home kit measure LDL and HDL?
- Some do. Kits that measure total cholesterol only will not show LDL or HDL.
- How often should adults check cholesterol?
- The FDA says about every 5 years after age 20, more often if your doctor advises.
Sources
- Home Use Tests: Cholesterol (fda.gov), U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Cholesterol Levels (medlineplus.gov), MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine