“Patients should use at-home cholesterol test kits in conjunction with a medical evaluation and recommendation,” says J.D. Zipkin, MD, Chief Medical Officer at GoHealth Urgent Care.
We researched dozens of cholesterol test kits and evaluated them for reviews, test types, result speeds, types of cholesterol measured, accuracy, and price and have determined these to be the best at-home cholesterol test kits that you can use in-between visits with your doctor.
The device shares your test results within two minutes. It’s also compatible with Curo blood glucose testing strips should you want to monitor your blood sugar as well. And it comes with a lifetime warranty, so you can feel good about the initial investment.
Price at time of publish: $99
The monitor itself is sleek and compact, making it an ideal choice for folks who travel a lot or seem to always be on the move. The kit comes with the meter, 10 profile testing strips, lancets, capillary rods, and a one-year warranty.
Price at time of publish: $260
The packet contains a test card, a lancet, and a plaster. And SELFCheck requires no meter. It’s ideal for adults over the age of 40 seeking a clear indicator of their current cardiovascular health so they can be more proactive with medical interventions that will get them on track and help them stay there. If the test produces a result outside of the 5 mmol/L range, consult with your doctor for a full blood lipid panel and their advice on how to better manage your blood cholesterol.
Price at time of publish: $20
Basically, this test helps you learn how your lifestyle is impacting your long-term health, which can help you determine whether you need to make any significant lifestyle changes. After you submit your finger-prick blood sample via the pre-paid envelope, your results will be available for review on the Choose Health app within seven days.
Price at time of publish: $60
What to Look for in a Cholesterol Test Kit
FDA Approval
Only a handful of over-the-counter home cholesterol test kits have received approval from the Food and Drug Administration. These tests are considered almost as accurate as the tests conducted at a doctor’s office and sent to a laboratory for evaluation when users follow the instructions correctly. Our experts recommend looking for the “FDA-approved” label to ensure that your home results are truly informative and worth the expense.
Test Type
There are three types of at-home cholesterol test kits.
You can use an electronic monitor similar to a glucometer to analyze your blood sample. You can use test strips to read visually by comparing them with a color change chart. You can send your blood sample to a lab and wait to receive your results via mail or email.
As Spencer Kroll, M.D., PhD, FNLA explains, “Home cholesterol testing kits can be an important addition and for some, a replacement to regular cholesterol testing done at a laboratory or in the clinicians’ office. At-home cholesterol testing kits are readily available and come in many varieties. At-home testing typically consists of a method for a person to collect a drop of your own blood and various forms of technology for testing the cholesterol levels in that blood on your own. In some cases, there are home testing kits that allow a person to collect their own blood and send it in the mail for the laboratory to do the testing.”
Decide which type of test best suits your needs to narrow down your options easily and effectively.
Type of Cholesterol Measured
All at-home cholesterol test kits measure total cholesterol, and the more advanced options provide HDL and triglycerides readings as well. Only one of the FDA-approved cholesterol test kits also measures LDL. Pay close attention to what each test measures if you’re in need of a more comprehensive analysis, and expect higher price tags on the tests that provide more measurements.
Why Trust Verywell Health
As a seasoned health writer, Alena Hall understands how important it is to know exactly what you’re getting in a product intended for medical use. Over the years, she has reviewed dozens of products, from athletic recovery aids to condition-specific products to homeopathic essential oils, to help readers like you discover products that can help you live your best life.
He adds that for more accurate results, cholesterol testing requires 12 hour fasting that must also be done for an at-home test.
Dr. Kroll says that if there are significant weight changes, significant dietary changes or the introduction of new medications, at-home testing could be done every three months. Any significant change in at home cholesterol levels should be confirmed by a commercial laboratory, he adds.
Additional reporting to this story by Jennifer Nied
As a seasoned health writer, Jennifer Nied understands how vital quality product recommendations are for treating symptoms safely and effectively at home. For over 10 years, she has reviewed products, interviewed experts, scrutinized ingredients, and pored over research studies and claims, to help readers like you understand what works for your specific conditions. Every product in this piece was selected taking into account recommendations from doctors, published research, and real customer reviews.
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