The importance of knowing your cholesterol numbers cannot be overestimated. For someone with normal numbers and no additional predictive factors pointing to a danger of high cholesterol, the few tests advised by the doctor should be sufficient. For someone 20 years or older, a test every 5 years is the suggested number - until the results start showing high cholesterol.
If you have high numbers and a condition that adds to the problem like diabetes or the need to take medication that raises cholesterol, more frequent tests are advised. If your cholesterol cannot be controlled by diet and exercise and medication is assisting in your cholesterol control, you might want a more personal kind of cholesterol monitor.
Testing at Home
With the success of diabetes home monitoring, medical science has been developing tests that can be administered at home to keep track of progress, including some types of cholesterol monitor. Cholesterol levels can fluctuate on a daily basis. For those within the normal range, this isn't a problem.
When your cholesterol levels are typically at levels that can be dangerous, it can be important for you to monitor changes so that you can see what is working and what isn't.
For several years instruments like the home cholesterol monitor have been delivering reliable results using a drop of blood. The test takes just a few minutes at home and many of the devices will keep track of the time and date of the test and stores the results. Such a tool can be helpful when a patient is trying a new regimen.
Improvements can be measured as an increased exercise regimen is implemented. As results become better, a patient may find encouragement between doctor's visits and keep up the good work. This alone can be very important since beginning a diet and exercise program is demanding and high cholesterol can cause depression.
Several types of cholesterol monitor are miniature computers. This allows different kinds of information to be available. A device may be able to assess current readings in conjunction with other risk factors such as smoking. While the FDA accepts the accuracy of the new types of home cholesterol monitor, some insurance companies don't accept the need for frequent testing and don't cover the cost of the devices and their test strips.
The need for such tests can be determined by doctors on a case by case basis. If nothing else, they help a patient participate more fully in controlling the situation.
