Home cholesterol test kits: Are they accurate?

Are home cholesterol test kits helpful in managing high cholesterol?

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Mayo Clinic cardiologist Gerald Gau, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.

Answer

No. Home cholesterol test kits are not reliable or consistent enough to be useful in managing your cholesterol. Several cholesterol test kits are available. Most measure only total cholesterol. Some measure total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL cholesterol).

High blood cholesterol plays a major role in coronary artery disease and stroke. So, it is important to know your cholesterol level. However, even when cholesterol testing is performed by trained professionals in a lab, there is significant variability in the results.

Also, cholesterol management requires more than measuring total cholesterol. Careful clinical assessment of HDL cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL cholesterol) and triglycerides is also important.

Before using a home cholesterol test kit, consult your doctor. Although home testing may seem faster and easier, it does not provide any benefit if it produces inaccurate results. Also, a home cholesterol test kit won't give you the information you need to assess your overall risk of cardiovascular disease.