Welcome to Valuemed, your one-stop-shop for affordable and reliable cholesterol test kits. We understand the importance of monitoring your cholesterol levels, and that's why we offer a range of high-quality cholesterol testing kits and cholesterol meters that are easy to use, and provide accurate results in just a few minutes. The cholesterol tests are suitable for both professional occupational health and home use.
Are home cholesterol tests accurate?
The key to getting accurate results with a home cholesterol test kit, is obtaining a good blood sample. Cholesterol levels alter in the blood throughout the day, depending on both diet and liver function. Home cholesterol tests all use finger prick capillary blood samples to measure blood cholesterol levels. Getting a sample of capillary blood as good as a hospital venous blood sample (taken directly from a vein with a syringe) is critiical to the accuracy of the home cholesterol test result. The accuracy of home cholesterol monitors is very close to hospital tests, but this is wholly dependent on getting a good blood sample into the test. If the blood sample is not adequate, the results will not be an accurate reflection of the blood cholesterol levels.
The other thing to consider when it comes to accuracy of home cholesterol tests is the time of day the test is done. If you are comparing your home cholesterol test result to a test with your doctor or hospital, then make sure to follow the same testing conditions ie same time of day and fasted, if the cholesterol test done by the doctor was fasted.
If you need any help or advice on how to obtain the best blood sample for your home cholesterol test read our tips and FAQ's below or contact our customer support team for advice. We also have a series of videos which you can find below and also in the product information, showing you how to obtain a good fingerprick blood sample for a home cholesterol test.
Home cholesterol monitoring
Our cholesterol test kits are perfect for those who want to keep an eye on their cholesterol levels without having to visit a clinic or laboratory. Whether you're managing a chronic condition or just want to take control of your health, our test kits are an affordable and convenient way to monitor your cholesterol levels at home.
Both the Easylife cholesterol meters and Easylife cholesterol test strips and the eB-Tchol Total Home Cholesterol Meter and Cholesterol test strips are CE certified for both home and professional clinical use.
We offer a range of cholesterol test kits that cater to different needs and preferences. Our range of professional and cholesterol home tests includes:
Cholesterol test strips: These strips are designed to work with compatible meters to provide accurate cholesterol level readings. They are easy to use and require just a small sample of blood.
Cholesterol meter kits: Our cholesterol meter kits include both the meter and test strips, making them a convenient and cost-effective solution for monitoring your cholesterol levels.
Complete cholesterol testing kits: These kits include everything you need to test your cholesterol levels at home, including the meter, test strips, and lancets for taking a blood sample.
At Valuemed, we are committed to providing our customers with the highest level of service and support. Our customer support team is available by telephone, email and chat Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm to answer any questions you may have about our cholesterol testing products or the testing process. We also offer fast and reliable shipping to ensure that you receive your order for cholesterol testing kits and meters as quickly as possible.
Cholesterol home tests
Investing in a home cholesterol test kit is an important step towards taking control of your health. By monitoring your cholesterol levels regularly, you can make informed decisions about your diet and lifestyle to keep your heart healthy and prevent the risk of cardiovascular disease. Order your cholesterol meter and test kits from Valuemed today and start taking control of your health! You can now quickly and easily do a cholesterol test at home, using either the Easylife cholesterol meters and Easylife cholesterol test strips, or the eB-Tchol total home cholesterol meter and test strips. The cholesterol test measures your blood cholesterol level using a fingerprick blood sample.
How to check cholesterol at home
To perform a cholesterol test at home you will need to purchase one of the cholesterol meters that checks cholesterol , the cholesterol test strips and also lancets to obtain the blood sample. The best lancets for obtaining a blood sample for a cholesterol test kit are the 30G lancets with lancing device. The videos below show you how to perform a blood cholesterol test using each of the cholesterol meters and the cholesterol test strips.
How to use the Easylife cholesterol test kit
How to use the eB-Tchol Total Home Cholesterol Meter
Tips for getting an accurate cholesterol test result at home
Thoroughly read the instructions, before starting the test, emphasising the importance of clean hands, particularly in the sampling area.
Ensure the sampling area is dry; any residual water, moisture, or soap may alter the blood sample, leading to potentially inaccurate results.
Always test fasted ideally for 16 hours but a minimum of 12 hours. Most people find it is best to perform the cholesterol test first thing in the morning as they are usually fasted then. Fasted means no food of any kind. You can drink water.
Getting a good blood sample is crucial. Perform the test in a warm environment. If your hands are cold the blood supply to your fingers is usually reduced and you may have difficulty obtaining a blood sample from the finger prick.
To obtain a enough blood to do the test, always lance on the side of the finger, wipe away the first droplet of blood and use the second drop of blood to perform the cholesterol test.
Avoid squeezing the finger to obtain the blood sample as this can alter the cholesterol test result.
Safely dispose of sharps used for skin puncture, following the kit instructions.
Cholesterol test kit FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about cholesterol test kits:
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How quickly can I lower cholesterol with dietary and lifestyle changes?
Switching to a cholesterol lowering diet and lifestyle can lead to significant improvements in cholesterol levels, within a short period of time, for many people. For some people who follow strict dietary and lifestyle changes, cholesterol levels can start to drop very fast, within 2 to 3 weeks of making the changes. Some individuals with certain health conditions including Familial Hypercholesterolemia may require medication to improve their cholesterol and lipid profiles, but most people can do it with diet and lifestyle changes.
A cholesterol test kit is a home diagnostic tool designed to measure the levels of cholesterol in your blood. It typically includes test strips, a lancet for blood collection, and a device (cholesterol meter) to analyse the blood sample.
Why should I use a cholesterol test kit?
Cholesterol test kits offer convenience, allowing you to check your cholesterol levels at home without visiting your doctor or a healthcare facility. Regular monitoring is essential for individuals with a history of high cholesterol or those on cholesterol-lowering medications.
It's often recommended for regular monitoring of cholesterol levels, especially if you have a family history of heart disease or if you're managing your cholesterol through lifestyle changes or medications.
Are home cholesterol tests accurate?
While home cholesterol test kits can provide reasonably accurate results, they may not be as precise as laboratory tests. Factors such as user error, sample collection, and test kit quality can influence accuracy.
How do cholesterol test kits work?
A cholesterol test kit is a home diagnostic tool designed to measure the levels of cholesterol in your blood. It typically includes test strips, a lancet for blood collection, and a device (cholesterol meter) to analyse the blood sample.
These home cholesterol kits usually use a small blood sample, often obtained through a fingerstick. The blood is applied to a test strip, which. is then inserted into the meter which analyses the sample to provide blood cholesterol level readings.
Should I do a fasting or non-fasting cholesterol test?
If your Total Cholesterol levels are in the normal range there is usually no need to test after fasting.
However, if your results indicate an elevated total cholesterol or high level of Triglycerides, over 1.7 mmol/L, then it is best to move to cholesterol testing after fasting for between 9 and 12 hours. This can easily be achieved by not eating after 7 pm and testing first thing the following morning.
How to interpret your cholesterol test results
Cholesterol Test Results
Some of the Cholesterol meters just displaty total cholesterol and some display 5 results for each completed blood test. Results are displayed in one of 2 scale options you can select, mmol/L or mg/dL. In the UK most cholesterol level results will be given in mmol/L.
Total Cholesterol
A normal Total Cholesterol level is below 5.0 mmol/L (200mg/dL) Above 5.0 but below 6.18 mmol/L is considered borderline elevated. Above 6.20mmol/L is considered high.
A high total cholesterol level can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. However, decisions about when to treat high cholesterol are usually based upon the level of LDL or HDL cholesterol rather than the level of total cholesterol.
Total cholesterol levels can be tested at any time of day but the LDL and Triglyceride levels can vary depending on what has been recently eaten. For this reason, fasting (9-12hr) total cholesterol measurement is preferred by most doctors where either of the above two is elevated.
HDL
HDL or High-Density Lipoprotein is a good element and levels of over 1.55mmol/L (60mg/dL) are excellent. Levels between 1.00 mmol/L and 1.55 mmol/L are normal. Below 1.0 mmol/L are unhealthy. Men tend to have lower HDL levels than women 1 versus 1.2 mmol/L an ideal to aim for is 1.4 mmol/L
LDL
LDL or Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol often referred to as bad cholesterol increases cardiovascular disease risk and Levels should be kept below 3.0 mmol/L
Triglycerides
High triglyceride levels are also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Triglyceride levels are assessed as follows:
●Normal – Less than 1.7 mmol/L (150 mg/dL)
●Mildly increased – 1.7 to 5.6 mmol/L (150 to 499 mg/dL)
●Moderately increased – 5.6 to 10 mmol/L (500 to 886 mg/dL)
●Very high – Greater than 10 mmol/L (886 mg/dL)
If your Cholesterol levels are abnormal we can not give personal or medical advice, so please discuss the findings with your Doctor, Nurse, or Pharmacist.
Are there any medical conditions which would prevent me getting accurate cholesterol results?
Yes there are a few medical conditions and drug supplements that can interfere with your cholesterol test results.
Please consider the following if you are not getting consistent or accurate readings with your cholesterol meter:
High dose Vitamin C. Ascorbic Acid supplements, often as part of multivitamins or taken on their own will interfere with results. If they are not prescribed and it is possible to stop taking Vitamin C in high dose, cholesterol testing can be resumed after 7 days.
High Bilirubin levels in the blood will interfere with cholesterol test results. The level may be below that required to cause clinical jaundice. Raised bilirubin levels in the blood can occur in many medical conditions including anaemia, cirrhosis, following a blood transfusion, Gilbert syndrome—a common, inherited condition in which there is a deficiency of an enzyme that helps break down bilirubin, viral hepatitis, gall bladder disease, as a reaction to drugs (including statins) and in alcoholic liver disease.
High urate levels can result from renal disease and early kidney failure but can also be caused by many other things including dehydration, diuretics (water retention relievers), drinking too much alcohol, drinking too much soda or eating too much of foods that contain fructose, a type of sugar, high blood pressure (hypertension), Immune-suppressing drugs, Leukemia.
Haemolysis, the breakdown of large numbers of blood cells. Routinely follows a blood transfusion, but can also occur after trauma, surgery, and in a range of blood and bone marrow diseases.
With the exception of Vitamin C and prescribed drugs, most of the above will require medical investigation to confirm the underlying cause, but is worth considering if the cholesterol meter check device test is normal and the lancing technique, sample collection, and procedure are all correct. Please just don't blame the meter, or ignore the results, the problem may in fact be you! It could be something that you are taking or that you have an underlying medical condition that you may be completely unaware of!
Can you give me any tips on obtaining the finger prick blood sample?
Obtaining a good finger prick blood sample is crucial to getting accurate results with any home blood test. We have created a video for each product which shows a great demonstration of exactly how you should be using the lancets and test provided, and the prep needed to perfuse the fingers.
Can you use a lancet without an auto lancing device?
A lancet can be used alone or with a lancing device. Many people find it easier to obtain a finger prick blood sample if they use the lancet in a lancing device.
Most of our meters are supplied with starter packs of lancets and some with safety lancets. We suggest you continue to use the same lancets recommended by the manufacturer if possible. If you are struggling to get adequate samples move to a thicker lance, ie 21g is thicker than 28g or 30g (the thinnest)
How do I know if the cholesterol meter is accurate ?
While learning to use the cholesterol meter it is not uncommon for results to vary considerably between tests.
Here is a list of tips on getting consistently accurate results from your cholesterol meter:
1) Always lance the side of the finger, never the flat surface or pulp. The side of the finger is far more vascular and bleeds profusely. Wipe the first drop away and allow a large second drop to form naturally, without squeezing the finger. This technique is critical in getting accurate results. A bad lance technique is the main cause of wildly fluctuating results.
2) Dont expect the total cholesterol levels to be the same each time. Cholesterol levels have a diurnal variation and are naturally dynamic, see 3.
3) If your Triglyceride level is above 1.7mmol/L then you should move to testing while fasting as the Triglyceride levels will vary with meals and significantly affect the other readings on your meter.
4) You can check the meter function using one of the Test Devices supplied with the original meter starter pack. We have embedded a video demonstration of a device test in the product listing above.
5) Exclude medical and medication causes for the unexplained results, see below..
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