CholesTrak® & Cholesterol Testers - FAQs 

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Q. What if my cholesterol reading is high?

A. If you have concerns about your result from the cholesterol testers, it is best to call your doctor. However, remember these important points.

• Any one cholesterol reading is never final because cholesterol can change from day to day and in response to several factors, such as weight loss, illness or stress. Check your cholesterol with the cholesterol testers.
• Cholesterol is a risk factor that can be controlled. Many studies show that cholesterol is a risk factor that may be lowered by exercise and diet. Other factors that you can control include high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, being overweight and lack of exercise.
• Any decisions about your risk factor for heart disease should not be made until you have had an exam by your doctor.

Q. How accurate is the CholesTrak (R) Cholesterol Testers?

A. The CholesTrak(R) cholesterol testers are just as accurate as testers used by the doctors and medical labs. In fact, a number of doctors use these same testers in their offices. The CholesTrak(R) cholesterol testers were evaluated in consumer studies throughout the US with over 400 people. When the instructions for the testers were followed carefully and all the steps were performed correctly, the accuracy, on the average, was 97%.

Q. What can I do to insure I'll get an accurate reading with the CholesTrak(R) cholesterol testers?

A. Read all the directions before you begin and follow them carefully. Be sure to:

• Find a quiet place to sit and relax for 5 minutes before beginning the test to stabilize your cholesterol level.
• Wipe off the first sign of blood from your finger because it contains other fluids that will affect the testers results.
• Fill the Blood Well to cover the black fill circle completely within 5 minutes. For best results, fill the Blood Well as quickly as possible.
• Wait 2 to 4 minutes after filling the Blood Well before pulling the tab to allow the blood to filter into the testers.

Q.  What can I do to make drawing the blood easier?

• Make sure your finger is warm and callus-free.
• Use the side of your fingertip-it's a less sensitive area.
• Keep your hand below your heart before testing. You should let your arm hang down at your side for about 30 seconds.
• If you'd like, someone else can help you prick your finger. The rest of the test is run the same.

Q.  What does the purple color in the O.K. indicator and the green color in the END indicator mean?

A. The purple color means that the testers have begun to work. The green color means that the testers are done and you can now read the test device and use the Result Chart. Remember, only the END indicator turns green. The peak does not turn green. If you do not see color changes, call the CholesTrak(R) Cholesterol Testers Help Line.

Q.  Can both indicators change color without giving me a correct reading?

A. Yes, both indicators may still work even if you did not follow the directions exactly. A false result may occur if:

• the Blood Well is not filled to the black fill circle, or
• more than 5 minutes have passed when filling the Blood Well, or
• you did not wait a full 2 minutes before pulling out the plastic tab, or
• you did not pull the plastic tab out far enough to see the entire arrow, or
• you performed the testers in direct sunlight.

If you do not see color changes, call the CholesTrak(R) cholesterol testeers Help Line.

Q.  Do I need to fast before I take the test or perform it at a specific time of day?

A. No. You can test yourself at any time, so fasting is not necessary. If you repeat the test, try to do so under the same conditions.

Q. What should I do if my testers reading is above or below the limits of the Result Chart?

A. If your testers reading is not on the Chart, call the CholesTrak(R) cholesterol testers Help Line or call your doctor.

Q. If I choose to repeat the test, what does it mean if my cholesterol level is different?

A. Cholesterol levels can vary day to day within each person, so you should average your results.

Q. From one CholesTrak(R) testers result, is there a chance I may be placed in the wrong cholesterol group--for example, Borderline High instead of High Risk?

A. Yes, especially if your result places you on the border of two groups. Because cholesterol does vary from day to day, the National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that at least two results be averaged before someone is classified. For example, in our consumer studies, where only one test was done, the CholesTrak(R) testers placed 13% of the people in a lower group than the laboratory test and 8% of the people in a higher group than the laboratory test. These results are similar to results from other studies where only one test was done.

Q.  Will common foods, alcohol or medication affect my test result?

A. Generally, NO. Most substances will not interfere with the test. However, you should not perform the test within a four-hour period if you have taken 500 mg or more of Vitamin C, or a standard dose of acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or Naproxen. This could cause a falsely low result.

For additional readings, the National Cholesterol Education Program offers the following free publications:

Facts about Blood Cholesterol #2696
Test Your Healthy Heart IQ #2724
So You Have High Blood Cholesterol #2922
Please write to:
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
Cardiovascular Disease Education Program
Information Center
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov

If you have any questions about your test result, call your doctor.

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