Tests Used to Measure Total and HDL Cholesterol Levels
If it is not possible to get a lipoprotein profile done, knowing your total
cholesterol and
HDL cholesterol can give you a general idea about your
cholesterol levels. These tests do not require fasting. If your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dL or more (or if your HDL is less than 40 mg/dL), you will need to have a lipoprotein profile.
Using Home Cholesterol Tests
A number of home tests for cholesterol have been approved for use. These tests are about as accurate as the tests done by your doctor; however, most home tests only measure total cholesterol. Total
cholesterol levels can be misleading, because a person can have a healthy total cholesterol level and still have a low HDL level or a high
LDL level. Therefore, most
cholesterol treatment decisions are based on HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, not total cholesterol. So think of total cholesterol levels from
home cholesterol tests to be
overview numbers.
Are There More Specific Tests for Cholesterol?
There are several other tests on the market that will look at HDL or LDL in even more detail, such as the HDL2 or HDL3 levels. At this point, most healthcare providers do not recommend them for testing cholesterol.
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