Hoping for some help. saw a post, I'm sure it was on this board, where someone mentioned the name of a home cholesterol test kit they bought at Walmart or somewhere like that. It was quite cheap, around the $20 for 2 tests. I need the actual name of the product so I can check it for availablility her in Australia. I did it before but the site I found is no longer active and I want to try again.
It was called Choles and then another word, I think.

I think what you are looking for is CholesTrak but unless that test gives you more than just a total number, it's pretty worthless. The total number tells you nothing; what you need to know is the fractions: LDL, HDL and Triglycerides and AFAIK only a professional lab can provide that type of test.

ebiosafe.com has a cholesterol panel for home use ; 2 for 64$ includes shipping and includes total, hdl, ldl, and trigylcerides.

I have regularly checked my cholesterol for years. Total cholesterol has ranged from as low as 160 to as high as 280. But the individual fractions never changed. I mean, if LDL was 20% of total cholesterol at 160, it was still 20% of total cholesterol at 280. For me knowing total cholesterol is worth more than knowing LDL, HTL, TG, etc. So a cheap home use kit would be worthwhile.

Hi Odille,

I haven't seen any home cholesterol kits anywhere here, but then, I haven't been looking.

Have you tried asking at your local chemist, and maybe ringing some of the chemist chains? They might at least know if they are available here.

Roz

I bought this at my local Walgreen's pharmacy, but they no longer carry it. I buy the test strips online now, and you can buy the tester online, too.

It's not cheap because it's computerized, and I've found it very accurate. I tested at home and then had a test from the Dr. The one at home was only 2 pts. higher. So, it erred on the side of caution.

I recommend it.

Here is the Link: Lifestream Cholesterol Monitor

Wal-Mart also sells a Cholesterol checker (similar to the one above).

CardioCheK: http://www.healthchecksystems.com/bioscanner.htm

It's $99.84 and the replacement tests are $11.99 for 3 tests.

It can be found by the Pharmacy area in the specialized section for Diabetic and Cholesterol supplies.

locarbarb - how much do the replacement strips cost you online?

Nikki

Thanks to everyone for their replies. I can buy the CholesTrak online here in Oz again, and am chasuing up the Lifestream one, although as I am unemployed at the moment it will have to wait a while!

Here is the link to the BioSafe site ira suggested....

http://www.ebiosafe.com/frame.asp?C...rrent_Product=4

Nikki

What if your ratios change? How would you know?

I tracked lipids for several years. The absolute numbers changed a lot depending on diet but the ratios never changed. I assume, after all this time, that the ratios are genetically fixed and won't change. So knowing the total cholesterol is enough for me. That means a cheap hand meter can tell me what I want to know and I don't need expensive lipid profiles too often.

Just my experience.