BioScanner 2000 product specifications

Cholesterol meter capabilities

Specs for cholesterol testers

Complete Blood Testing Capabilities For Cholesterol Meter

Glucose Total Cholesterol HDL Cholesterol Triglycerides Blood Ketone LDL Cholesterol* HgbA1c* Microalbumin* Creatinine* * pending approvals

Total Cholesterol. Cholesterol is the main lipid associated with artheriosclerotic vascular disease.  It is required for cellular membranes. Cholesterol testing meter is to identify patients at risk for arteriosclerotic heart disease.   Total cholesterol is made up of LDL, HDL and triglycerides and VLDL.  Diabetics are prone to higher levels of blood fats in their systems – which puts them at increased risk of heart and blood vessel disease.  Total cholesterol should be below 200.  Eighty percent of diabetics die from heart and blood vessel complications.  It has been shown that a 1 percent decrease in cholesterol levels leads to a 2 percent decrease in the risk of heart disease.  Each year coronary heart disease kills more Americans than any other cause.  More than 13 million American have heart disease.

HDL Cholesterol. (Good cholesterol).  HDL is a protein in the blood whose main purpose is to transport cholesterol, triglycerides and other insoluble fats to the liver for excretion from the body.  HDL should be above 35 mg/dL.  By dividing your total cholesterol by your HDL cholesterol you can get a ratio indicating your risk of heart disease, a ratio below 3.5 is desirable. 

Triglycerides. Triglycerides are a form of fat in the bloodstream.  They act as a storage source for energy. Elevated triglycerides are now thought to be an independent risk factor for heart disease.  People with diabetes are prone to elevated triglyceride levels.  Fasting triglycerides should be below 200 mg/dL.

Blood Ketone (b-hydroxybutyrate). Under normal conditions, no ketones are present in the urine; however, a patient with poorly controlled diabetes and elevated blood sugar may have fat catabolism and ketones are a bi-product of fat metabolism.  Diabetics need to monitor their ketone levels when their blood sugar is elevated, when they are sick and in times of stress.  In addition patients on high-protein (Atkin’s) diets may want to monitor their ketone levels to verify they are in ketosis, burning fat and therefore losing weight.

LDL Cholesterol. LDL (bad) Cholesterol is primarily cholesterol which can be deposited in tissue and is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic heart and peripheral vascular disease.  LDL levels should be below 130 mg/dL and elevated levels are associated with increased risk of heart disease.  Diabetics are especially prone to smaller, more adhesive LDL particles.  One national survey estimated 30 percent of American adults – about 56.6 million people – have a high LDL cholesterol that requires diet or drug therapy.  Only 34 percent of these individuals have been diagnosed with high cholesterol – this means two out of three persons who should be treated for high cholesterol do not even know they have it. According to the American Heart Association, an elevated LDL cholesterol level is a major risk factor for heart disease.

HgbA1c. When elevated glucose levels are present the glucose attaches itself to the heme portion of the red blood cell.  The more glucose the RBC is exposed to the greater the HgbA1c is.  Blood can be drawn to test at any time and is not affected by short-term variations such as food intake, exercise, stress, hypoglycemic agents and patient cooperation.  It provides an accurate long-term (3 months) index of the patient’s average glucose level.  Normal is < 6%, goal for diabetics is < 7% and additional action is required for levels > 8%.

Microalbumin. Microalbumin is the term for small amounts of protein in the urine. Protein in the urine is the first sign of kidney disease.  Kidney disease in diabetes is a result of elevated blood sugars and often accompanied by high blood pressure.  About one-third of people with diabetes eventually develop kidney disease.   Microalbumin is measured to monitor kidney function. Treatment can help delay progression of disease.  Microalbumin should be monitored with a meter, etc. every 6 months to a year in patients with diabetes. 

Creatinine. Creatinine is a product of creatinine phosphate, which is used in skeletal muscle contraction.  Daily production depends on muscle mass.  Creatinine is excreated entirely by the kidneys and therefore directly proportional to renal excretory function.  Elevation occurs later in disease process and suggests chronic disease rather than acute.  Measuring serum creatinine is useful in evaluating any type of renal dysfunction or changes in disease progression.