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Biosafe Cholesterol Panel Home Test Kit

High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for coronary heart disease that you can modify. Knowing your total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and Triglyceride levels is an important first step in determining your risk for heart disease. The BIOSAFE Cholesterol Panel blood test is a laboratory procedure that measures the amount of total Cholesterol in your blood, the amount of HDL Cholesterol, your Triglyceride level, and then accurately computes your LDL Cholesterol value. This is the most comprehensive form of Cholesterol testing available. Comparing the results of your initial Cholesterol Panel test to the results of subsequent tests can determine the progress you’ve made in reducing your overall coronary risk.

The specimen collection process is quick, easy and virtually painless. Using the special lancet (included in the BIOSAFE Blood Collection Kit), a couple of drops of blood are taken from a nick of a finger and deposited onto a special collection card. The card is then sent to BIOSAFE Laboratories for analysis. BIOSAFE tests your blood sample to see how much total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and Triglycerides are present and then mails the results back to you in an easy-to-read, understandable report. Click here to view a Cholesterol Sample Lab Report.

Since the BIOSAFE Cholesterol Panel test produces a numerical result rather than a simple "yes" or "no" answer, both testing approval and professional review of test results are required by a licensed physician. After your test analysis is completed by BIOSAFE Laboratories, the results will be reviewed by a licensed health professional before being sent back to you.

Testing Procedure

	Check the Kit Contents Laboratory Authorization Form. Blood Sample Return Bag. Blood Collection Card. Alcohol Prep. Adhesive Bandage. Sterile Gauze Pad. 2 Lancets. Preaddressed, Prepaid Mailing Envelope. Easy to Understand Instructions.
	Fill out the Lab Authorization Form You must fast (no food) for 12 hours prior to collecting blood sample. Fill out the lab Authorization Form completely. Note the date and time of blood collection.
	Apply Barcode and Print Name on Blood Collection Card Remove the barcode sticker from the upper corner of the Authorization Form and place on the Blood Collection Card. Print your name on the Blood Collection Card and place on firm, clean and flat surface.
	Clean Selected Finger for Blood Collection Wash hands with warm water and dry thoroughly. Select either the middle or ring finger to collect blood sample. To increase blood flow, rub hands together for 10 seconds and then allow your selected hand to hang at your side for 30 seconds. Open the alcohol prep package and clean the selected finger and allow the skin to dry.
	Remove the Cap from the Lancet and Press against Finger Remove the plastic cap from the Lancet. Place the chosen hand palm side up on a flat surface. Place the Lancet slightly off center of your finger. Hold Lancet steady, press down firmly until it "clicks" and then release.
	Wipe away First Blood Drop and Collect Blood Sample Observe the finger to see if blood is flowing from the nick. It may be necessary to gently massage the finger from the base up to the "nick site" to produce the first drop of blood. Wipe away the first drop of blood with the Sterile Gauze Pad. Continue to gently squeeze the finger if needed to produce the drops that are needed. Wait until each drop is large and "hanging" before attempting to touch it to the Blood Collection Card.
	Fill the Three Circles on the Blood Collection Card and allow to Dry If single drop of blood does not completely fill the circle, add additional drops beside the first until the circle is filled. Completely fill each circle before proceeding to the next circle. Allow the Blood Collection Card to dry for 15 minutes. Do not allow the card to be exposed to direct sunlight or extreme temperature or humidity. Apply adhesive bandage over the small nick on your finger.
	Insert the Authorization Form and Sample into Prepaid Envelope Close Blood Collection Card and insert into the bag marked Blood Sample Return Bag. Remove pink copy of the Laboratory Authorization Form for your records. Place completed form and sealed sample bag into the preaddressed prepaid mailing envelope.
	Mail Sample Promptly Place in regular mail as soon as possible, but no later than one week after sample collection. Discard used Lancet and all other kit materials in household trash.

General Information

Cholesterol and Heart Disease

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found among the fats (lipids) in the bloodstream and in all the cells of your body. Cholesterol is important for your good health because it helps form cell membranes, some hormones, and other types of tissues. A high level of Cholesterol in your blood, however, poses a major risk for coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack. Cholesterol and other fats can’t dissolve in blood.  They have to be carried into and out of the cells by special carriers of lipids and proteins called lipoproteins. The two major lipoproteins, and the ones to be most concerned about, are high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

HDL - Approximately one-third to one-fourth of your blood Cholesterol is transported through your bloodstream by high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Medical experts think HDL tends to carry Cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it passes harmlessly from the body. It is also believed that HDL actually removes excess Cholesterol from atherosclerotic plaques already formed, and this slows their growth. Because of its very positive benefits, HDL is often called the "good" Cholesterol. is often called "good Cholesterol" because it’s thought to actually remove excess Cholesterol from atherosclerotic plaques.

LDL - Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the major Cholesterol carrier in the blood. When a person has too much LDL Cholesterol circulating in the blood, it can slowly build up within the walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. Together with other substances it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog the arteries, causing a condition known as atherosclerosis. The formation of a clot (or thrombus) in the region of this plaque can block the flow of blood to part of the heart muscle and cause a heart attack. If a clot blocks the flow of blood to part of the brain, the result is a stroke. A high level of LDL Cholesterol reflects an increased risk of heart disease. That is why LDL Cholesterol is often called "bad" Cholesterol.

Triglycerides - The chemical form of most fat as it exists in the food you eat and the fat that is stored in your body. They are also carried through the bloodstream and are derived from fats eaten in foods or made in the body from other energy sources like carbohydrates. Calories ingested in a meal, and not used immediately by tissues, are converted to Triglycerides and transported to fat cells to be stored. Hormones regulate the release of Triglycerides from fat tissue so they can meet the body’s needs for energy between meals. Most of your body’s fat tissue is in the form of Triglycerides. High blood Triglyceride levels, by themselves, usually do not raise your risk of heart disease. Your Triglyceride level is, however, one factor that is used in determining your LDL Cholesterol. Many people who have a high Triglyceride level also have high LDL Cholesterol along with low HDL Cholesterol. For this reason, an entire Cholesterol "panel" of tests must be conducted in order to accurately determine the relationship between all the components. Only in this way can you get a complete "Cholesterol profile."

Cholesterol has only two sources: It is either produced in the body (primarily by the liver) or found in foods that come from animals (meats, dairy products, poultry, fish and seafood). Foods from plants (fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds) do not contain Cholesterol. High Cholesterol is the most publicized risk factor for heart disease. Its fame is well deserved since high Cholesterol levels increase the risk of heart attack by 2.4 times.

Those at Risk

More than half of Americans -- including Mexican, African and European Americans – can expect to see their Cholesterol levels rise significantly by the time they reach middle age. The percentage of Americans with high Cholesterol levels is approximately 20% -- significantly higher than Asians and people of the South Pacific region where only about 7% of the population experience this problem. Simply having been raised in the U.S. is a risk factor. Additional risk factors include: the typical high-fat, high-protein, low- fiber American diet; obesity and a sedentary lifestyle; and, of course, high Cholesterol.

Test Levels

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Coronary Heart Disease?

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), also known as coronary artery disease (CAD), is any one of several abnormal conditions that affects the arteries of the heart due to insufficient blood supply and a reduced flow of oxygen. When a coronary artery is lacking oxygen due to an interruption in the blood supply (usually caused by a blood clot or plaque build up inside the artery), an infarct can occur. An infarct is tissue death, it is permanent damage and, in its severest form, will kill the patient. The most common kind of coronary heart disease is atherosclerosis. It underlies most causes of heart disease and death. It is a disorder characterized by the accumulation and deposit of Cholesterol and lipids in the artery wall.

What are its symptoms?

Atherosclerosis, by itself, does not necessarily produce any symptoms. For symptoms to develop there must be a critical decrease in the blood supply to the heart in proportion to the demand of the heart for oxygen (a supply and demand imbalance). Often symptoms of CHD do not appear until a coronary artery is narrowed by 75 per cent. One of the classic symptoms of CHD, angina pectoris, is often described as "chest pain that radiates to the left arm, neck, jaw, and shoulder blade." It results from a lack of blood and oxygen reaching the heart when the arteries become lined with plaque. The way to prevent symptoms like angina pectoris is the same as preventing CHD - decrease the risk factors.

What are the causes of CHD?

While some causes of CHD have been identified, they are still poorly understood. There are several risk factors, however, that are known to contribute to the disease and they are easily categorized; those that cannot be changed, or "non-modifiable" risk factors, and those that can be changed, or "modifiable" risk factors.

Non-Modifiable Risk Factors

• Heredity - Genetic factors contribute to the increased incidence of coronary heart disease.

• Age - CHD usually appears in people over 40, but it can develop in people while they are still in their 20’s or 30’s.

• Gender - CHD affects more men than women, and occurs in more whites than non-whites. The use of oral contraceptives in women also increases the risk.

• Diabetes - represents an increased risk of CHD because it leads to early atherosclerosis. For women, in particular, diabetes is a contributing factor in the development of CHD.

Modifiable Risk Factors

• Cigarette Smoking - One of the three major risk factors in CHD is smoking. All smokers have 2 to 6 times the risk of heart attack than do nonsmokers, and 2 to 4 times the risk of sudden cardiac death. There is less risk associated with pipe and cigar smoking.

• High Blood Pressure - Although high blood pressure cannot always be prevented, it can and should be treated in order to lower the risk of CHD and premature death.

• Elevated Cholesterol - An elevated Cholesterol level definitely increases the risk of developing CHD. A person with a Cholesterol level greater than 259 is three times more likely to develop CHD than one with a level of 200. People with high levels of HDL Cholesterol in proportion to LDL Cholesterol are less likely to develop CHD than are those with low HDL Cholesterol. High concentrations of HDL seem to have a protective effect against the development of CHD. Experts believe that HDL Cholesterol does not become incorporated into the fatty plaques that develop in the lining of the artery wall (as does LDL Cholesterol).

• Obesity - Obesity places an extra burden on the heart, requiring it to work even harder (thus increasing the risk of CHD). In addition, obesity is often associated with a sedentary lifestyle, elevated Cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

• Physical Inactivity - Exercise may reduce the risk of CHD by decreasing weight, reducing blood pressure, and elevating the protective HDL Cholesterol.

• Stress - Stress appears to be associated with elevated blood pressures. Although moderate stress occurs in modern life, excessive stress can be a health hazard.

• Unhealthy Diet - CHD occurs more frequently in those whose regular diet is high in calories, total fat, saturated fat, and Cholesterol. Research shows that other factors that possibly contribute to the risk of CHD are excessive alcohol consumption, coffee consumption, and deficiencies in vitamins C and E.

Why do I need to make changes now? 

Even though you show no signs of heart disease today doesn't mean you won't develop any in the future. Now is the time for prevention. Otherwise, a high Cholesterol level, along with other risk factors, can lead to problems in the future. If you already have heart disease you should pay even more attention to your Cholesterol levels because you have a greater risk of experiencing a heart attack. Coronary Heart Disease kills more men and women than any other disease. Changes you make now in your life, like lowering your Cholesterol levels, can significantly reduce your risk.

When should I test for Cholesterol? 

The National Cholesterol Education Program advises that if you are older than 20 you should start testing for Cholesterol. If your test results are in the desirable range, you can be re-tested as early as every 2 years. If you have known borderline or high Cholesterol levels and you already have evidence of CHD and/or two or more of the other risk factors, you should order the Cholesterol Panel. In addition, you should get a thorough medical evaluation by a health care professional. If you are currently being treated with Cholesterol-lowering medications, you may need to have your Cholesterol panel re-tested (initially) as often as every 3 months. You should also have a Liver Enzyme Panel test performed to determine if your Cholesterol reduction treatment is working effectively. Test results provide important information, but never adjust your medication(s) based on the test results alone. Always consult with your health care professional before making any changes in your treatment.

Laboratory Accuracy

• BIOSAFE Cholestrol Panel Home Test Kit dry blood sample analysis is as accurate as serum blood analysis with a tested 95% to 97% correlation.

• Samples are analyzed in a CLIA certified Laboratory. The U.S. Congress passed the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) in 1988 establishing quality standards for all laboratory testing to ensure the accuracy, reliability and timeliness of patient test results regardless of where the test was performed. The objective of the CLIA program is to ensure quality laboratory testing. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is charged with the implementation of CLIA.

• BIOSAFE Laboratories are also accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), the highest national standard in the U.S..

Features

• Maintaining proper Cholesterol levels eliminates one of the major risk factors for Coronary Heart Disease.

• This test allows you to cost effectively establish a baseline Cholesterol profile and monitor your progress, through subsequent testing, in a Cholesterol reduction program.

• Lab report features TestTracker™ which compares previous test results on one test report to chart your progress. 

• Measures the amount of Total Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol and Triglyceride levels in your blood and then accurately computes your LDL Cholesterol value.

• Test is easy to perform yourself in the privacy of your home or office.

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved test kit for direct consumer use.

• Exceeds the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Cholesterol testing accuracy standards. The only at home lipid profile test to include Total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and Triglycerides which meets all of the stringent requirements of the NCEP. 

• Test kit includes a laboratory authorization form, privacy practices statement, blood collection card, blood sample return bag, easy to understand instructions, alcohol prep, gauze pad, 2 lancets, adhesive bandage and a U.S. postage paid return mail envelope.

• Test analyzed by a Certified Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Laboratory and is accredited through the College of American Pathologists (CAP). Lab test results are reviewed by a licensed physician before being sent back to you.

• Lab Report mailed directly to your home usually within 3 business days of receiving the sample and includes NCEP interpretation of the results. Click here to view Cholesterol Sample Lab Report.

• No Additional Test Fees - test kit pricing includes all sample collection materials, U.S. postage paid return envelope for the sample, laboratory analysis and mailed lab results.

Cholesterol Panel Home Test

Price: $32.95

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