You might be considering trying a home cholesterol test because of its convenience and affordability.
Keep in mind that these tests are limited in the information they provide. If you think that you may havehigh cholesterol, it is best not to depend solely on an at-home test. You need to get a fuller picture of your health from a qualified physician.
Learn more about home cholesterol tests and their role in managing your cholesterol levels.
STEVE HORRELL / SPL / Getty Images
What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterolis a type of waxy fat (lipid). The cells in your body need cholesterol to help form vital tissue components, such as themyelinthat protects nerves.
Cholesterol also helps produce vitamin D and hormones likeestrogenandprogesterone. Furthermore, cholesterol plays a role in producingbileacids that aid in the digestion process.
Cholesterol is necessary for your health, and different types of cholesterol affect the body in different ways. Too much of certain types can be dangerous for your health.
Types of Cholesterol
The main types of cholesterol are:
High LDL and VLDL cholesterol levels are associated with conditions likeatherosclerosis,coronary heart disease,heart attack, andstroke.
Home Cholesterol Tests
How Do They Work?
Many home cholesterol tests can measuretotal cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides from a blood sample. Some also measure LDL cholesterol. These tests can be purchased online or at your local pharmacy.
There are three basic types that work in different ways:
How Accurate Are They?
However, note that for the majority of these devices, there is little published research about their accuracy.
The biggest challenge associated with home cholesterol testing is user error. This can lead to an inaccurate result.
Here are just a few of the things that can go wrong:
This should not suggest that tests are excessively complicated. But you should know that one or two errors can lead to false results or misinterpretations.
If you getinconsistent results, see your doctor, who can check the values of your device or kit against an in-office (point-of-care) test.
Are They Regulated?
Know that FDA-approved tests differ from FDA-cleared or FDA-registered tests. Tests in the latter group have not been evaluated for efficacy or safety based on their intended use. Rather, they are either substantially similar to an approved device (cleared) or are not subject to premarket review (registered).
If you bought a cholesterol test or any other medical product online, the FDA recommends taking a few precautions:
How Accurate Are Home Cholesterol Tests?
When to See a Doctor
At-home tests cannot provide the information needed to assess your cardiovascular risk or decide when treatment is needed.
And although at-home cholesterol tests may let you know that you may have high cholesterol levels, the FDA states that home-use tests are best interpreted when they are evaluated alongside your medical history, a physical exam, and other tests performed during a doctor visit.
Talk with your doctor so that they can help assess your risk and advise you on how frequently you need to see them for testing.
Summary
Knowing your cholesterol levels helps you understand your risk for certain diseases, including heart disease and stroke. Although the standard method of checking your cholesterol is a visit to your doctor, at-home cholesterol tests can provide an alternate and convenient option.
If used correctly, at-home FDA-approved cholesterol tests are about as accurate as the testing done in a doctor’s office. However, using a home cholesterol test should not replace seeing a doctor, as they do not provide the full picture of your health.
A Word from Verywell
At-home cholesterol tests can vary. Before purchasing one, check whichlipid valuesare included in the test and whether the test is FDA-approved or, at the very least, FDA-cleared. It often helps toask a pharmacistwhich test they recommend and why.
Also, be sure to follow a test’s directions closely, keeping in mind that deviations from the instructions could affect results.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should start getting your cholesterol checked during your adolescent years. Children should have their cholesterol tested at least once between the ages of nine and 11 and again when they are between the ages of 17 and 21.
The American Heart Association recommends that adults aged 20 or older should get their cholesterol checked every four to six years.Those with a family history of high cholesterol or other health conditions like diabetes or heart disease should get checked more frequently.
The American Heart Association recommends that adults aged 20 or older should get their cholesterol checked every four to six years.
Those with a family history of high cholesterol or other health conditions like diabetes or heart disease should get checked more frequently.
This buildup could lead to a blockage and a heart attack, with symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations.
Leaving high cholesterol untreated could lead to life-threatening health conditions like a heart attack or stroke. It is important to regularly check your cholesterol levels to know if you need to lower them with lifestyle modifications and medication.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Cholesterol numbers: What do they mean.John Hopkins Medicine.Why cholesterol matters for women.American Heart Association.Cholesterol: The good and the bad.American Heart Association.What is cholesterol?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CRMLN: Cholesterol reference method laboratory network.Food and Drug Administration.Cholesterol.Food and Drug Administration.OTC - Over the counter database.Food and Drug Administration.Medical device overview.Food and Drug Administration.How you can get the best results with home use tests.Food and Drug Administration.Home use tests.American Heart Association.How to get your cholesterol tested.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting your cholesterol checked.Cleveland Clinic.Heart attack (myocardial infarction).
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Cholesterol numbers: What do they mean.John Hopkins Medicine.Why cholesterol matters for women.American Heart Association.Cholesterol: The good and the bad.American Heart Association.What is cholesterol?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CRMLN: Cholesterol reference method laboratory network.Food and Drug Administration.Cholesterol.Food and Drug Administration.OTC - Over the counter database.Food and Drug Administration.Medical device overview.Food and Drug Administration.How you can get the best results with home use tests.Food and Drug Administration.Home use tests.American Heart Association.How to get your cholesterol tested.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting your cholesterol checked.Cleveland Clinic.Heart attack (myocardial infarction).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cleveland Clinic.Cholesterol numbers: What do they mean.John Hopkins Medicine.Why cholesterol matters for women.American Heart Association.Cholesterol: The good and the bad.American Heart Association.What is cholesterol?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CRMLN: Cholesterol reference method laboratory network.Food and Drug Administration.Cholesterol.Food and Drug Administration.OTC - Over the counter database.Food and Drug Administration.Medical device overview.Food and Drug Administration.How you can get the best results with home use tests.Food and Drug Administration.Home use tests.American Heart Association.How to get your cholesterol tested.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting your cholesterol checked.Cleveland Clinic.Heart attack (myocardial infarction).
Cleveland Clinic.Cholesterol numbers: What do they mean.
John Hopkins Medicine.Why cholesterol matters for women.
American Heart Association.Cholesterol: The good and the bad.
American Heart Association.What is cholesterol?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CRMLN: Cholesterol reference method laboratory network.
Food and Drug Administration.Cholesterol.
Food and Drug Administration.OTC - Over the counter database.
Food and Drug Administration.Medical device overview.
Food and Drug Administration.How you can get the best results with home use tests.
Food and Drug Administration.Home use tests.
American Heart Association.How to get your cholesterol tested.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting your cholesterol checked.
Cleveland Clinic.Heart attack (myocardial infarction).
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
