Home cholesterol tests are disposable products designed to analyze a person's blood sample and measure the ratio of cholesterol to blood. Although this information is not sufficient for determining a course of treatment, it can act as an indicator of your risk of heart disease, which may help in deciding when to seek medical attention.
Testing And Results
To achieve results that are as accurate as possible, it is important that you follow the proper procedure when taking the test. Before you begin, you should wash your hands with soap and water to ensure that your skin is as clean as possible; dry your hands thoroughly to prevent any water from diluting the results. Flex your hands a few times and rub them together to improve circulation, then lower your arms to your sides; this will allow some blood to pool in your fingers.
Then draw the blood sample, which involves using a tool known as a lancet to prick the tip of your middle or ring finger. At one end of the lancet you will find an opening, within which lies the needle. Place your hand on a stable surface, such as a table, with the palm facing upwards. Position the open end of lancet against the side of your fingertip; this will help to prevent any calluses from interfering with the path of the needle, which may cause discomfort. Once the lancet is in place, push down on the end of the tool until you feel it prick your finger; some models of lancet are spring-loaded, requiring you to first activate a cocking mechanism before you can use the device.
Fill the test's sample basin with your blood. The basin will have a label indicating the fill line; fill the basin beyond this point to help ensure an accurate reading. Loading too much blood is not a problem, but using too little is. Leave the test alone for three to four minutes, then remove the plastic tab covering the test pad. Tap the test a few times to settle the blood onto the test pad, then wait 10 to 12 minutes for the indicator to display your results.
Different models of home cholesterol tests will display the results in different ways, but all should come packaged with a chart that will allow you to convert your results to express your cholesterol level in terms of milligrams per deciliter. A desirable cholesterol level is below 200 mg/dL, while borderline high is 200-239 mg/dL; a reading of 240 mg/dL is considered high. Because home test kits may prove inaccurate, however, you should get your cholesterol tested by a trained medical professional if you are concerned about a high reading.
