Devices for measuring cholesterol at home

Regular cholesterol measurement using biochemical analysis is not available to everyone. However, in case of serious vascular pathologies, it is necessary to conduct a blood test promptly. An electronic blood cholesterol test is available at home.

The method is easy to use, informative and has no contraindications. Technological devices can be used in many areas: checking cholesterol, determining glucose levels, identifying abnormalities in lipid metabolism.

The need for constant cholesterol control

There are two types of cholesterol in the blood:

1. LDL – low density lipoproteins;
2. HDL is high density lipoprotein.

   

Each category is vital and participates in the metabolic processes of the body. Particularly harmful is the deposition of low-density cholesterol. It is he who can provoke the appearance of atherosclerotic plaques in blood vessels and cause heart attack, stroke and other lethal diseases.

The level of high-density cholesterol may, on the contrary, fall, affecting metabolic processes. It is almost impossible to know the forecast for the development of deviations.

Depending on the disease, it is necessary to measure blood quality indicators in the following categories of patients at risk:

• After a stroke or heart attack;
• With diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• Overweight;
• For diseases of the pancreas, kidneys and liver;
• Patients with diabetes mellitus;
• With a genetic predisposition to cardiovascular pathologies;
• If you are taking cholesterol-lowering medications as prescribed by your doctor.

  

To control cholesterol levels, patients with diabetes need to have a blood test every year. When taking medications to lower blood cholesterol, you should be examined every six months.

Triglyceride levels

Heart disease and high blood pressure are also associated with excessive levels of triglycerides in the blood.

Triglycerides are lipids involved in energy supply to the body and, in particular, cells. They are transported in the blood and stored in fat cells.

Formed from food. The more fatty, sweet, fast-carbohydrate and alcoholic foods we consume, the more we risk.

In people in their prime of life, its level should be:

• for women – 1.7 mmol/l;
• for men – 3 mmol/l.

With age, the permissible norm increases.

It is recommended to check triglyceride levels upon reaching 45 years of age, as well as for younger people who have heart problems, blood pressure, or have close relatives with heart disease.

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There is an alternative to medical laboratories - a device for measuring cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Just a drop of blood is enough to find out the numbers of interest.

Is it possible to determine cholesterol at home?

Portable analyzers allow you to determine cholesterol at home. The test is based on scanning the patient's blood to determine total cholesterol levels. The method is suitable for operational monitoring, but does not provide detailed information about LDL levels. Some devices can calculate HDL cholesterol. Then, using a simple formula, you can derive the indicator and LDL.

Cholesterol analyzers are multifunctional, portable and compact. Therefore, their use is excellent for people with disabilities and the need for regular monitoring of dynamics.

What are stripes?

The strips are narrow pieces of litmus paper. Such sections are impregnated with a special reagent. Do not touch the tip of the strip with your hands - this may affect the test result.

A drop of the patient’s blood is placed on the working surface of the device; as a result of special reactions, chemical compounds are formed on the device, the quantitative content of which is displayed by the device. The shelf life of such consumables does not exceed 1 year. Using expired strips will result in false test results for the patient.

The patient must also follow the basic rules for storing the cholesterol test strip. They must be stored in a special case (sold from a pharmacy chain along with it) under optimal environmental conditions.

Carrying out tests at home does not free a person from the need to regularly visit a specialist. Changes in indicators and any deviation from the norm are a reason to consult a doctor. Symptoms of atherosclerosis do not appear on their own in the early stages, but it is important to remember all the risks and complications of such a disease.

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Meters for quick testing

All electronic measuring instruments are configured for the express method. Thanks to the automaticity of the analyzers, the result can be obtained within 2-4 minutes after applying the biomaterial.

Among the multifunctional meters, the following reliable brands can be distinguished:

1. Easy Touch – blood analyzer for total cholesterol, glucose and hemoglobin levels;
2. Accutrend Plus – is capable of measuring not only the main set of indicators, but also blood plasma lactates;
3. MultiCare-in – determines the level of cholesterol, triglycerides, sugar concentration;
4. “Element Multi” - unique in its function of controlling lipid and carbohydrate processes, shows the level of all central characteristics: cholesterol (divided into types of lipoprotein density), sugar, triglycerides;
5. CardioChek is a biochemical element analyzer with a detailed cholesterol calculation. The device determines the level of high-density lipoproteins, total cholesterol, ketones, triglycerides, and glucose.

   

Norms for women

How to correctly decipher the studies being studied? What are the cholesterol standards for women and men? As already said, it all depends on age. Therefore, it is impossible to say unambiguously how much cholesterol is contained in the blood of healthy people.

The table below for cholesterol levels in women by age will help you better understand this issue.

All of these indicators indicate that women ideally have cholesterol levels that remain at the same level throughout their lives. And only after menopause the concentration of the substance begins to increase. Even in young children, cholesterol can be detected in the blood, but in small quantities.

The proposed table of cholesterol norms for women by age will help to correctly decipher the lipid profile. With its help, every girl will be able to understand what kind of cholesterol and in what quantities should be contained in the body.

Another feature of assessing the results of a blood test for cholesterol in women is taking into account numerous factors that can affect the body. Namely:

• season;
• day of the menstrual cycle;
• presence of pregnancy;
• presence of chronic diseases;
• malignant formations.

Recommendations for selecting analyzers

All analyzers for determining blood cholesterol levels have their own characteristics. When choosing the optimal device, it is recommended to consider several factors:

• Size and weight of the device - the convenience of the parameters for home or transportation should be taken into account;
• Availability of minimum functions for your disease - the device must satisfy the necessary requirements;
• Equipment - analyzers are produced with a plastic chip and test strips impregnated with a reagent. The second option is budget-friendly, but less comfortable to use;
• Type of power supply – it is rational to buy a device with universal power supply from mains and batteries in case of an emergency cholesterol check;
• Equipped with a puncture pen - its convenience guarantees safe and quick blood collection. Universal devices have a handle with an adjustable puncture length to ensure high-quality blood sampling;
• Analysis processing time is considered optimal 3 minutes;
• The error of the results provided must be indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging or in the instructions;
• Technical equipment with additional options: alarm clock, connection to a PC, memory of the latest measurements. If it is necessary to monitor the dynamics of cholesterol levels, it is important to store information about the tests or be able to print it out and show it to the doctor;
• A clear interface and control principle - especially important for elderly patients, who more than others need a home cholesterol check;
• Maintenance guarantee.

Universal glucometer

The glucometer is the first portable blood sugar meter. This gadget has been very popular among diabetics for a couple of decades, and it has saved the lives of many patients with timely measurements of the glucose index and the use of medications.

During the development of the first glucometers, enough time has passed and modern technologies have improved glucometers. Modern devices, in addition to glucose, measure cholesterol and hemoglobin.

The measuring device works using test strips that have a special solution cut into them, which determines the cholesterol index at home.

Monitoring cholesterol using meters allows you to get accurate results.

Testing biological fluid using an advanced device takes 4 to 5 minutes.

The glucometer is the first portable blood sugar meter.

What does the device consist of?

• If the manufacturing company has a good reputation, then the device includes branded test strips;
• Complete with advanced gadgets for measuring biological fluid parameters, a plastic chip is included;
• To pierce a finger, the kit includes a pen with a needle or a specially designed blade. With the help of such a pen, the procedure for blood analysis will be painless.

Instructions for using a home cholesterol analyzer

The instructions for the purchased device will help you learn in detail how to determine cholesterol at home.

In general terms, the procedure consists of the following steps:

1. Prepare the device and blood application medium;
2. Treat your hands with disinfectant;
3. Sterilize the pen or lancet;
4. Make a puncture;
5. Apply a drop of blood to the test strip or chip, depending on the type of equipment;
6. Wait for the result.

It is important to carry out the procedure on an empty stomach, so morning hours are chosen for blood testing. One day before, you should give up fat-containing foods, strong drinks and fried junk food.

You can touch the test strip only with dry hands, without touching the indication area.

How it works: design and principle of operation of a portable analyzer

To ensure that the results are as accurate as possible, it is important to follow some recommendations from doctors. The main rule is that before taking a blood test for cholesterol, it is strictly forbidden to eat. You must refrain from eating fatty foods and alcohol 48 hours before donating blood, and from eating any other food - 8-10 hours before donating blood.

Also, before donating blood, doctors recommend:

1. Take the test between 8 and 10 a.m., at which time all biological processes proceed stably, and the feeling of morning hunger is not so strong.
2. Before donating blood, you are prohibited from drinking any drinks, even tea. Only clean drinking water is allowed.
3. For several weeks before the test (except for the last two days), it is advisable to maintain the same diet and not try to improve it. Undoubtedly, this will lead to changes in the data, but it is certainly in your best interests to know only the real state of your health.
4. It is highly inadvisable to donate blood during a cold or other acute respiratory viral infection. If the patient is ill, it is advisable to reschedule the blood draw and carry out it several days after complete normalization of health.
5. During the day before the test, it is not advisable to perform heavy physical exercise or be exposed to stressful situations. If you need to climb the stairs to the desired room, before taking blood, it is better to wait 10 minutes until breathing and heartbeat normalize.
6. Smoking is prohibited 2 hours before the test.
7. It is imperative to inform the doctor giving the referral for a blood test that you are taking any medications. This way, the specialist will not only take this fact into account when analyzing the results, but will also tell you how to properly prepare for a cholesterol test without interrupting your previous medication treatment.

It is better to donate blood in good specialized medical centers that are equipped with modern laboratories that allow you to get the most reliable results.

The specialist working there will tell you in detail how this process will take place, so the patient only needs minor preliminary preparation measures described above. As a rule, blood is taken from a vein, but in some cases blood from a finger prick may be needed for analysis. Results are usually ready within a couple of hours or the next day.

The most effective and frequently used laboratory research methods are:

• Zlatkis-Zak method;
• Ilk's method;
• Lieberman-Burkhard method.

The accuracy of the data obtained when using any of the methods is almost the same; they differ only in the choice of reagents, the complexity and time of the reactions.

Doctors take blood in the morning on an empty stomach from a vein. The patient can find out the results within 24 hours. To obtain reliable information, certain requirements must be met. No special training is needed, but it is recommended:

• do not take any food before the test is taken (approximately 6-8 hours);
• give up alcoholic drinks 24 hours before;
• do not smoke 60 minutes before the test;
• one day before the analysis, it is advisable to exclude excessive physical and psycho-emotional stress;
• It is undesirable to go hungry unnecessarily; the maximum time during which you are allowed not to eat is 16 hours;
• if you are very thirsty on the eve of blood sampling, you are allowed to drink plain water without sugar;
• if a person walked at a fast pace or climbed the stairs, before the analysis he needs to sit or lie down for about 20 minutes;
• if it is necessary to carry out physiological procedures, rectal examination, x-rays, this should be done after a blood test for cholesterol;
• If the patient takes medications, the doctor issuing the referral for analysis must be informed about this.

Thanks to modern technology, you can determine cholesterol yourself using express analyzers and rapid tests. The results are ready in a few minutes. To carry out the tests, you need to adhere to all the above recommendations and get used to taking blood yourself (from your finger).

The portable cholesterol blood analyzer is a rectangular device. At the top there is a screen where the result is displayed. Depending on the model, there are one or more control buttons on the case.

At the bottom of the device there is a test strip soaked in a reagent and acting like litmus paper. A small amount of blood is dripped onto it, then the blood falls from the strip onto the converting device, after 1-2 minutes the values ​​are shown on the screen.

Standard batteries are used for power; the compartment for them is located on the back of the case. Usually the kit includes a case and spears for piercing a finger or auto-piercers. Test strips are usually included in small quantities and must be purchased separately. The devices are equipped with modern microcircuits with a processor that automatically controls all processes.

The values ​​after express diagnostics may differ slightly from the values ​​when interpreting tests in the laboratory, but this does not mean that the device is not working correctly; each model has a certain percentage of error.

Determining level increase by external signs

The causes of impaired production and excretion of cholesterol are external and internal factors. It is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of vascular diseases, but with careful attitude to health there is a possibility of timely diagnosis based on primary signs and symptoms:

1. Lipid deposits on the joints, in the tendon area under the skin;
2. The iris of the eyes acquires a lipid edging;
3. Weight gain;
4. Yellowness of eyelids.

   

In addition to external manifestations, patients have complaints:

• Dizziness;
• Lack of concentration, memory impairment;
• Decreased visual function;
• Streakness in the distal limbs, tingling.

Identification of symptoms of a disease first of all signals the need for medical consultation.

In a critical situation, a portable analyzer allows you to quickly check your blood cholesterol at home. This will help you find out about the likelihood of developing the disease and determine the degree of risk. If there is a significant increase or decrease in blood cholesterol levels, you should contact the clinic.

Remember that only a specialist can make a reliable diagnosis based on the conclusion of laboratory blood tests.

In what cases is it better to contact the laboratory?

To obtain complete information about the condition of the blood vessels and the blood supply system as a whole, the readings of a glucometer or other express device are not enough. Cholesterol levels can influence important processes that, when disrupted, can lead to life-threatening diseases.

To avoid irreversible complications, a patient with changes in cholesterol of any form requires medical attention. Laboratory diagnostics allows you to analyze the structure and composition of the blood completely. In this case, the error of readings is reduced to zero.

Patients with cardiovascular diseases require careful and systematic monitoring. Nowadays, finding out your blood cholesterol level is not a problem even at home. Prompt diagnostics makes it possible to determine the degree of metabolic disorder and timely adjust the patient’s treatment and nutrition.

Modern technologies provide comfortable conditions for different categories of patients. Portable blood cholesterol analyzers are affordable, convenient to transport and easy to use.