In these difficult economic times, many of us are actively looking ways to stretch our dollars and make every penny count. Not even health care is exempt from personal budget cuts, especially for those without health insurance or the unemployed who may not be able to afford COBRA health insurance payments or whose COBRA is running out. In an effort to lower health care costs, more and more people are beginning to seek out low-cost alternatives to traditional western medicines, alternative treatments or home remedies, and self-testing tools. Not even heart health is exempt from the economic crunch. My last two cholesterol tests were $510 and $652 respectively. When faced with these types of testing costs, many may choose to forego testing simply because it’s too expensive and they feel “fine” at the moment.
One thing is certain about the free market system. If you identify a need, then the market will supply a product and health care is no different. You only have to do a Google search on the Internet and dozens of self-cholesterol tests will present themselves for your purchasing consideration. The price of self-test kits varies but most home testing kits cost less than $30. One company even promised a free cholesterol test (I sent in the form and will let you know when/if I receive it). Frankly, when compared to the cost of traditional physician ordered cholesterol testing, a free test or less expensive alternative appears to be an extremely active option on the surface for the under or uninsured. It’s not hard to see why some may choose the option of self-testing their cholesterol at home.
The price appears to be right. The home cholesterol tests I reviewed online promise results in 10 – 12 minutes, all in the privacy of your own home. Tests appear to be quick and easy. So, are there any pitfalls you need to be aware of before jumping on the home testing bandwagon?
One issue to be aware of is that not all home cholesterol test kits are created equal and the information provided may vary widely. Some test kits only provide a total cholesterol count while other tests provide information on high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides levels as well. In choosing a home cholesterol test, the consumer needs to carefully read and understand what type of test they are purchasing and what results the test kit will provide.
In addition, according to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MRMER), home cholesterol tests may not provide the consumer with their full cholesterol and heart health picture. Consumers need to be aware that home cholesterol testing is only one aspect of managing your cholesterol or heart health. To manage cholesterol, the entire heart health picture, not just cholesterol levels must be considered. When evaluating your heart health, your physician must take not you’re your cholesterol levels into consideration but your other risk factors such as obesity, blood pressure and family history into account as well.
The American Heart Association (AHA) has not weighed into the debate or issued a recommendation about home cholesterol testing. At present, the AHA continues to endorse the cholesterol testing guidelines set out by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP). Those guidelines recommend a fasting “lipoprotein profile” every five years after the age of twenty. A full lipoprotein profile provides information on your LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels.
So, are these home cholesterol tests right for you? There is probably no doubt that physician ordered, lab conducted tests are more accurate and preferable over home cholesterol tests. While not as accurate, information gleaned from a home cholesterol test may still be useful as it may provide you with a heads up to a potential problem area so that you can seek medical advice. If the choice is no cholesterol test at all due to financial constraints, then the home test may be an option to monitor levels in-between doctor visits.
However, if pursuing a home testing path, it’s important to note that you’ll want to consider a test that provides not only a total cholesterol count but HDL, LDL and triglyceride levels as well. Also, you need to remember that the results may not be as accurate as traditional lab testing. Another important item to remember is that cholesterol management is only one aspect of managing your heart health. To get the whole heart health picture, your other risk factors (obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, family history, etc.) must be considered as well. While the test may provide you with a quick reading of your cholesterol, it will not replace the relationship with your physician. If you choose to use home testing, ensure that your physician has the "big" picture to evaluate your complete heart health status.
Source:
Thomas Behrenbeck, M.D., High Blood Cholesterol: Are home cholesterol test kits accurate?, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MRMER), 10 Oct 2008, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol-test-kits/an01461
Cholesterol, Home Testing Devices, The American Heart Association, 2010, http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4501
FAQs For Employees About COBRA Continuation Health Coverage, United States Department of Labor, 2010, http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.HTML US dept of labor
(The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 allows terminated employees to continue their healthcare coverage through their former employee for a period of 18 months at the employees’ sole expense. COBRA is not cheap and even for two people, may cost more than $800 a month, a cost which many unemployed cannot afford.)