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At-home cholesterol tests may benefit those who cannot visit a healthcare facility easily. We discuss six of the best cholesterol tests available to buy online.
Using at-home cholesterol tests is a convenient way for people to test their cholesterol levels without needing to make an appointment with a healthcare professional.
There are two types of at-home cholesterol tests: self-collection and laboratory-based.
With self-collection tests, a person can use test strips that measure cholesterol levels. They need to add a drop of blood to the strip and read the color change. They can also buy an electronic meter, which requires them to add a drop of blood to a test strip, insert the strip into the meter, and read the results.
With laboratory-based tests, people receive their at-home test kit with all the tools they need, such as alcohol swabs, collection tubes, and pre-addressed envelopes. Once they collect their blood sample, they can send it to a laboratory, where a healthcare professional performs the test.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), at-home cholesterol tests are as accurate as tests doctors provide in a clinic. The FDA recommends that people follow the manufacturer’s instructions to help prevent inaccurate results.
The FDA also notes that at-home tests that say they are “traceable” to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may be more accurate than others.
Manufacturers typically state that their tests are almost as accurate as those available at doctors’ offices and health clinics. The FDA backs this up, stating that at-home cholesterol tests are as accurate as those a healthcare professional may administer. However, at-home tests increase the risk of user error as people may not be used to taking samples for health tests. This may affect the accuracy of results.
Additionally, a 2021 study of five cholesterol self-tests found that, although some cholesterol meters provided reasonably accurate results, several of the at-home cholesterol test kits in the study were inaccurate. The study’s authors called for more standardization and regulation to ensure better quality at-home tests.
People using at-home cholesterol tests need to discuss their results with a doctor and opt for in-person testing if they find their self-test has produced inaccurate results. Individuals should not make health decisions according to the results of an at-home test without discussing them with a doctor first.
Below are some at-home cholesterol tests a person can purchase online.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
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LetsGetChecked offers a finger prick cholesterol test and states that it may suit people with:
The LetsGetChecked website has an instructional video explaining how a person should collect the sample. The company suggests that people do so before 10 a.m. and before they eat breakfast.
LetsGetChecked offers a one-time purchase and a subscription plan for those requiring regular cholesterol testing.
It states that its laboratories are approved by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and part of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) program.
People should receive their results within 2–5 days. Additionally, they can contact a LetsGetChecked nurse anytime to discuss their results.
To save money on their tests, a person can opt for regular deliveries. We break down the cost of each subscription option below.
LetsGetChecked accepts flexible spending account (FSA) and health saving account (HSA) payments.
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Everlywell offers a finger prick sample collection that measures:
After purchasing the home kit, a person can register it on the Everlywell website. There, they need to include their order’s identification number. Then, once they collect their sample, they can send it to one of the Everlywell testing facilities.
The company claims that it works with laboratories with CLIA certification.
People should receive their results through the Everlywell online platform. They may also receive tips and additional resources to help them understand their results.
Everlywell also offers subscription options for those who want to test regularly. The subscription plans and prices are as follows:
People can also use HSA and FSA cards to pay for their test.
myLAB Box offers a finger prick collection method. This FDA-registered entity states that it works with CAP- and CLIA-certified laboratories.
The company offers free 2-day shipping on home kits, and results will be available within 2–5 days.
myLAB Box states that people do not need to fast or adjust their diet before collecting their sample. It also recommends that people still take their prescription medications until they discuss the test results with a doctor.
A person can also book a consultation with a myLAB Box physician if they receive a positive result.
myLAB Box accepts HSA and FSA payments.
There are two subscription options with MyLAB Box, including:
CardioChek’s cholesterol kit is suitable for people who smoke and those with diabetes, low HDL cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure.
Some of the tools that people receive in this test kit include:
The test kit weighs 1.8 pounds.
In addition, the manufacturer states that the test strips have expiration dates and that people should ensure that they use the correct-sized blood droplet on the strip.
This product has a slim and lightweight design. Its lancing pen has six skin penetration depths to manage pain. It has internal storage for 200 test results and a travel-sized carrying case.
The case makes it simple and convenient for people to take the lancing pen and all its accessories with them if they need to test on-the-go.
The device comes with a log book, making it simple for people to track their cholesterol levels while they are out.
The manufacturer states that the product provides high quality test results in less than 2 minutes, offering a quick testing option that could also be helpful for busy people.
The company provides the following tools for people who buy this test kit:
SDBIO’s cholesterol test kit measures:
It can store up to 500 test results and issue results within 3 minutes.
Furthermore, the company claims that customer care agents are available for individuals who may need to ask questions. It also provides video demonstrations for people needing help using the SDBIO cholesterol kit.
The package includes cholesterol strips, lancets, a manual, batteries, and an EziTube blood applicator.
The table below compares the tests in this article. All tests use a finger-prick sample collection.
Medical News Today does not rank products or recommend one over another. A person can opt for the one that best fits their needs.
At MNT, we choose at-home cholesterol tests that meet the following criteria:
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
A person can ask a doctor to help choose an appropriate at-home cholesterol test kit. However, they may also wish to consider the following:
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that travels through the bloodstream in the form of lipoproteins. It helps the body by:
The body produces cholesterol naturally. However, cholesterol is also present in some foods, including:
There are two types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Cholesterol tests also measure triglycerides, which are a form of fat in certain foods.
LDL, or “bad cholesterol,” makes up most of the body’s cholesterol.
When a person has high LDL levels, the cholesterol builds up in their blood vessels, causing them to narrow. This prevents blood from flowing, which, in turn, increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
High LDL levels have links to:
Learn more about high cholesterol here.
HDL, or “good cholesterol,” collects the bad cholesterol from the arteries and carries it back to the liver so that the body can get rid of it.
The American Heart Association (AHA) states that HDL may protect people from heart attack and stroke by preventing excess cholesterol from entering the arteries.
A lipid profile also measures triglycerides. These are common types of fats that people get from foods such as butter and oils. The body changes these calories into triglycerides and stores them in fat cells. It then releases them when it needs energy.
According to the AHA, people with high triglyceride and LDL levels may also have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
At-home cholesterol tests usually involve a person collecting a finger-prick blood sample. They can do so by following these steps:
According to the CDC, healthy adults should undergo a cholesterol test every 4–6 years.
However, doctors may recommend more frequent cholesterol screenings for people with:
The CDC states that cholesterol levels should be as follows:
People who receive a positive cholesterol test result should consider seeking medical advice. A doctor can help a person interpret their results and suggest the most suitable treatment plan.
Doctors may recommend specific home care strategies, such as exercise, reaching or maintaining a moderate weight, and following a balanced diet.
Also, a doctor may prescribe medications like statins to help lower cholesterol levels.
Learn more about how to lower high cholesterol with lifestyle changes.
Below are answers to common questions about testing cholesterol at home.
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), people looking to lower their cholesterol can try eating fewer foods containing saturated fat, exercising more, reducing their alcohol intake, and stopping smoking, if applicable.
Learn more about how to lower cholesterol.
High cholesterol may not always cause symptoms. However, very high cholesterol can cause fatty bumps on the skin called xanthomas and gray-white rings around the cornea.
Learn more about the symptoms of high cholesterol.
High cholesterol does not cause any symptoms. A blood test is the only way a person can find out if they have high cholesterol.
However, risk factors include having overweight, not exercising regularly, eating fatty foods, drinking alcohol, and smoking. High cholesterol may also have a genetic component and run in families.
A healthcare professional or home test manufacturers should provide instructions on whether a person needs to fast or if they can eat and drink as they typically would before taking a cholesterol test.
If a person needs to fast, this usually means they can only drink water for a certain amount of time before the test.
Learn more about what to eat the night before a cholesterol test.
According to the AHA, a healthcare professional may advise a person to avoid eating, drinking most beverages, and taking medications for 9–12 hours before a cholesterol test.
However, not all cholesterol tests require fasting. A person should only fast if their doctor or the test manufacturer recommends it.
Learn more about fasting before a cholesterol test.
A person who wants to check their cholesterol levels can purchase an at-home test kit. These kits come with instructions and all the tools they need to collect their sample.
People may purchase an at-home test kit from FDA-regulated companies collaborating with CLIA-certified laboratories. This indicates that companies have established quality standards for laboratory testing.
People may seek guidance from a doctor if they have other health conditions or a family history of heart disease and high cholesterol. These individuals may need to check their cholesterol levels regularly.
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