Total Only Cholesterol Test

Cholesterol is a soft waxy substance which is required by the body to keep itself healthy but too much cholesterol circulating in the blood is a health risk. As cholesterol is not water-soluble it must bind to special proteins before it can be carried in the bloodstream. These special proteins are called lipoproteins there are 2 main types of lipoproteins High density lipoproteins (HDL) and Low density lipoproteins (LDL). HDL cholesterol is known as "good" cholesterol because it seems to carry the cholesterol away from your heart and blood vessels preventing the narrowing of the arteries. LDL is known as "bad" cholesterol as it is the type most likely to build up on artery walls.

For semi-quantitative determination of Cholesterol in whole blood.

This test is suitable for you to do at home and contains 2 test strips. If you obtain an abnormal result with the first strip repeat the test using the second strip.

Total Only Cholesterol Test

How does the Total Only Cholesterol Home Test work?

Using the Visual Cholesterol test it is possible to check quickly the cholesterol level in blood. If the level is high then you should contact your doctor and in this way you could significantly reduce heart disease risk. Cholesterol level in blood is affected by diet and also by: drugs diabetes mellitus preganancy and serious diseases. You should perform this test after fasting for at least 6-9 hours.

Make sure you have a watch or clock ready. Read instructions fully before carrying out the test.

When ready to perform the test open the plastic container and remove one of the test strips .
Close the container back up when the strip has been removed. Make sure that the protective cap has not been removed from the lancet.

Wash hands with hot water and soap and dry them well. Using gentle pressure massage the finger from which the sample is to be taken (the middle or ring finger is the best) by gently working the thumb of your free hand up to the tip of the finger.
Carefully twist off the protective cap from the lancet as shown in the first picture below and then remove.

Press the lancet very firmly against the soft pad of your finger tip and press the blue button on the side of the lancet until you hear a click- this releases a very short needle enough only to prick the skin. It is important to press the finger pricker firmly against the fingertip otherwise the skin will not be punctured.

Holding the punctured site downwards with palm of hand facing upwards continue to gently massage the finger until a large drop of blood appears.
Add a drop of blood to the white reactive pad the square area marked by 2 green lines (the side which shows the blood drop). Ensure your finger does not touch the reactive area.
Wait about 35-40 seconds to allow the chemical reaction to occur.

Turn the strip over and within the next 25 seconds compare the developed colour in the circular area of the strip with each coloured area of the comparative card by positioning the strip behind the holes in the card.
Find the closest matching colour and read the results below.

Since the test result is semi-quantitative evaluation involving colour shade and intensity it is useful the opinion of a second person on the final result. It is important to perform the colour comparison within next 25 seconds otherwise the colour could lighten and the evaluated concentration will be lower than the real one.

Results

Each colour area corresponds to a cholesterol value. The lightest colour is a cholesterol reading of 130 mg/dl and the highest is a cholesterol reading of 350 mg/dl. If the colour is lighter than 130 mg/dl then a cholesterol reading of less than 130 mg/dl must be considered. If the reactive strip is darker than 350 mg/dl then a cholesterol level of higher than 350 mg/dl must be considered.

Normal and Abnormal Values (According to the latest criteria)

Less than 200 mg/dl = Desirable Blood Cholesterol

200-239 mg/dl = Borderline High Blood Cholesterol

Higher than 240 mg/dl = High Blood Cholesterol

What should I do with my results?

If your cholesterol is high you should see your doctor for advice your doctor may give you dietary advice and exercise guidelines. If after following the guidelines carefully your cholesterol level has not reached the desired goal your doctor may prescribe medication.

One determination of the cholesterol level can not be interpreted as a final reading. Cholesterol levels may vary from day to day. In addition cholesterol levels may also vary as a result of weight loss stress illness and pregnancy. This cholesterol test is very suitable to make an risk assessment for coronary heart disease. However in addition to cholesterol levels there are a number of factors that influence your risk for coronary heart disease such as:

Age older people are generally at more risk for coronary heart disease.
Myocardial infarction (usually known as a heart attack) in many cases the causes of a heart attack are still present even after the heart attack. These people have a greater risk for re-occurrence.
Diabetes diabetes causes an elevated level of total cholesterol.
High blood pressure a high blood pressure deteriorates the condition of the blood vessels.
Family if there is a history of family member with high cholesterol and/or coronary heart disease.
Stress it seems that people who are sensitive to stress have a greater risk for coronary disease however this has not been scientifically proven.
Menopause because of the loss of the protecting oestrogen cholesterol levels rise.
Unhealthy lifestyle for example smoking not enough physical exercise eating to much fat obesity.