Analyzer Starter Cholesterol kit with 3 Count Cholesterol Test Strips by PTS Panels

EVALUATION> Once you’ve done a couple of tests, it is easy and straightforward. The results appear to be accurate.COMPARING THE PRIMA AND CARDIOCHEK METERS> The CardioChek takes fairly large volume of blood (a drop a full 1/8+" in diameter), the Prima considerably less. The Prima meter is ~1/3 the size of the Cardiochek, and therefore perhaps easier for travel. The Prima meter is cheaper, and the test strips are only about ¼ the cost of CardioChek test strips. You can do a full lipid panel with a CardioChek meter (total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, and calculated LDL), but you can ONLY do total cholesterol and triglycerides with the Prima meter.> Note that both meters require a separate blood sample for EACH test. The CardioChek requires 3 big (15ul each) blood samples (with three different test strips) for all three tests. The Prima requires 2 samples (<10ul each and 2 different test strips) for two different tests.> Unfortunately, the Prima meter does not come with capillary transfer pipettes, which in my experience are essential in order to collect a large enough sample and transfer it to the test strip in the limited time allowed. See my review of the Prima meter.CAUTIONS AND TIPS> Technically the Prima does not require capillary transfer pipettes in order to transfer an exact volume of blood (although I very strongly recommend their use), because the test chamber is closed. However, the CardioChek does REQUIRE the use of 15ul pipettes because the test chamber is open. Never try to use the CardioChek without capillary pipettes. Do NOT use capillary pipettes of greater or lesser volumes with the CardioChek meter.> The Prima meter checks that both the test chip and test strip type (total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides) and batch numbers match – which is very important. Apparently the CardioChek does not do this check – so, you’ve gotta be alot more careful with the CardioChek, and actually manually check that the test type (these are color coded to match, red, blue, and green) and batch numbers DO match. IMPORTANT -- When you finish a box of test strips, DISCARD the test chip which came with them.> WHICH TESTS? Note that you do NOT have to do all three tests, unless you want to calculate your LDL score. If you are only interested in total cholesterol or only in your triglycerides, those are the only tests you need to do. I'm concerned with my triglyceride level, so I run only the triglyceride tests.> Triglyceride (and probably other cholesterol) can vary widely, even from hour to hour. The current (recently changed) official SOP recommendation to screen for high triglycerides is non-fasting (so your physician may tell you that), but the purpose of that “officially recommended” recommendation is to promote "compliance" (to make it easier for you) --- NOT to improve accuracy. So, especially if you are trying to fine-tune your eating habits and medications, it is best to do a test while fasting and at the same time of day each time. Practically speaking, that means first thing in the morning. If you are a little spacy (as I am) before your second cup of coffee (I easy forget that I had even planned to take a triglyceride reading) -- then I suggest laying out the meter and all your supplies the night before. Set out everything (including gauss or tissue) exactly as you'll need it, best on a clean paper towel. The only exception is the test strips, leave them in their tubes until a few minutes before the test. But have the tubes (and test chips) out and ready.> You can do all three tests with only lancing your fingertip once, if you are organized. See "STEPS" below.> Work efficiently, but don't rush the test. Wash (or soak) your hands in warm (to hot) water first to get the blood flowing before you use the lancet. It is advisable to use an alcohol wipe after washing -- but if you do, be sure all the alcohol has evaporated before you use the lancet. Don't squeeze the blood out, instead just let in flow --- but you can gently "milk" your finger. Don't rush -- if you just wait 10 or 20 seconds the flow will speed up on its own. Letting your hand hang down can increase the flow. Regardless of the test (but particularly for the cholesterol tests), it is best to wipe off the first droplet of blood from your finger, and wait for a second droplet to form.> Read the instructions for using capillary transfer pipettes. You do NOT "suck up" the blood -- that is do not squeeze the bulb to "suck up" blood from your finger. In fact, do NOT even hold the pipette by the bulb. Just touch the droplet of blood obliquely (at an angle) with the pipette. The blood "automatically" flows to the "full mark" by capillary action. If you hold the pipette perpendicular (i.e., not at an angle), you'll plug the opening. If you don't get enough blood from the first drop of blood, you can squeeze a second droplet, and let the capillary action suck up the rest.EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES NEEDED> Test chip(s), > corresponding test strip(s), > gauss or tissues, > lancet, > alcohol wipes, &#62 (optional if you wash your hands with soap and warm water); pipette (one for each test), > > paper and pencil to write down results.STEPS1) Set out all components (best on a paper towel), 2) prepare lancet (i.e., take off the safety plug), 3) Insert test chip, 4) insert corresponding test strip, 5) wash hands in warm water, or 6) wipe finger with alcohol wipe, 7) wipe off excess alcohol with dry tissue, 8) prick finger with lancet, 9) let droplet form, 10) wipe off first droplet (doesn't have to be large), 11) let another droplet form, >⅛" diameter, 12) touch pipette obliquely on the drop until blood fills the capillary tube to the fill line, 13) press “O” button on the meter, 14) wait until “insert strip” appears, 15) transfer sample from the capillary pipette to the test strip. To perform another test, change the chip and test strip and continue with step 11.> Note that it is important to prepare the supplied lancet first (step 2) because you can accidentally trigger the lancet as you remove it the protective plug. For that matter, it is a good idea to have a second lancet out and ready (without the plug removed), just in case you have a problem with the first one.> I cannot emphasize too much how important it is to wash your hands (with soap) in warm to hot water for a minute or so to get your blood flowing --- it really makes a huge difference.UPDATE> You can get better prices on the meter and supplies directly from the manufacturer at "Test Medical Symptoms At Home" than on Amzon (even though the product actually is shipped from TMS -- you are just paying for the sales commission that Amazon charges TMS). If you become a TMS "member", just by signing up, you get an additional discount plus free shipping.> Having performed 20-30 weekly tests on my blood, I've found that triglycerides are extraordinarily variable, comparable to blood glucose. That means that it is very difficult to "fine tune" your medications (i.e., to the minimum medications needed to get down to acceptable levels) as was my goal. I suspect that you'd have to test daily and use averages for a week to get dependable numbers for this purpose. However, weekly monitoring is still very valuable. The effect of a short-ribs dinner is very evident in triglyceride levels the next day. The affect of significant exercise (including hard work) is very evident. I'm diabetic, so I've learned that I can balance a "binge" (e.g., a short stack of pancakes) with 4 hours hard work. I've similarly learned that I can similarly balance a rack of ribs with serious exercise. A little sweat is more effective on both blood glucose, triglycerides (and probably total cholesterol) than a whole lotta denial.BRINGING DOWN TRIGYLCERIDES> First of all, I found that controlling my blood glucose is by far the most effective method of controlling triglycerides. First get your A1C down to 5.9 or 6.0 before considering other medications.> A combination of fenofibrate (160mg), niacin (1500mg), and omega-3 (3300mg) dropped my triglycerides from 1200+ to <200. My theory is that several medications in moderate levels is better than a single medication at massive levels. Three notes:> Fish oil omega 3 is good for nerves (e.g., siatica, neuropathy, memory), and may be good for your heart, even if your triglycerides are under control. Ideally, you should use the prescription Lovaza, which may be free, depending on your insurance. If Lovaza is too expensive for you, you can purchase OTC fish oil (I use NatureMade) --- BUT you want 1000mg capsules of Omega-3, NOT 1000mg capsules of "Fish Oil" (which contains only about 350mg of Omega-3). See my review of NatureMade Omega-3.> The Niacin should be "ordinary"niacin (sometimes called flushing niacin), not "slow release" (or "non-flushing", etc), and your entire dosage should be taken 1 time per day only (within about 3 hours), NOT multiple times (research it if you doubt me -- it's important).> The fenofibrate did cause problems with constipation and headaches for me -- which more-or-less cleared up after two weeks. But if you are told you must take fenofibrate, buy some Metamucil at the same time, at least for a week or two.

I hardly ever do a review but I just had to do one for the CardioCheck Cholesterol Analyzers. I ordered this for my husband who has recently changed his diet and wanted to see if it was effective on bringing down his cholesterol, but he didn't want to go back to the doctor for this. The best advice we could give is to make sure you read all of the directions thoroughly before you begin so you know what to expect and do. He read the manual several times and worked through the menu on the unit to make sure he knew what to do when doing his test. He did the test this morning and it worked perfectly. We know his readings were correct as we compared them to the readings he had done six months ago by his doctor. Bravo for creating such a great product. We cannot recommend enough!!

I used Cardio Chek and compared to LabCorp results that were taken on the same morning, the Cardio Chek was done first thing. Note: my readings range widely on the lipid scale from high total cholesterol, very high HDL and ultra-low triglycerides below 50 which may be beyond what the Cardio Chek is tailored for. Total cholesterol almost 300: Cardio Chek was 77 points lower than the LabCorp reading, HDL Cardio Chek was 85, LabCorp 102, triglycerides were below 50 so that is off the Cardio Chek scale, LabCorp reading was in the teens. Cholesterol tests are calculations and there are different formulas and methods used to get a result, so lipid test results often can vary. I tried several other home lipid test meters from Amazon and Cardio Chek is still the best.

Since heart disease runs in the family, I wanted to be able to track my cholesterol numbers without having to go to a lab for a blood draw. After reading online reviews of several analyzers, I decided on CardioChek. I'm very glad I did because it's extremely easy to use. When running a test, it pretty much boiled down to inserting the chip, turning on the unit, inserting a test strip, lancing my finger, drawing the blood with the transfer pipette and depositing the sample on the strip. Then, wait for the reading. Curiosity satisfied and peace of mind achieved in under five minutes. With a weekly check (that's the plan for now), the unit will pay for itself in no time! Although the test strips are a little pricey, they still are cheaper than the equivalent number of lab tests.