Cholesterol & Lipids Test

Having a combined cholesterol and lipids test is one of the most common ways to assess your overall heart health. High levels of cholesterol and lipids (especially LDL cholesterol and triglycerides) have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. Monitoring your blood cholesterol and controlling high cholesterol levels can be key to reducing your risk for these disorders. This mail-in cholesterol test kit evaluates the four key components of a lipid panel: total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), calculated low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides.

Our cholesterol and lipids at-home lab test allows you to test wherever you're most comfortable (provided that you’re fasting). The mail-in test kit comes with easy-to-read instructions, lancets for pricking your finger, bandages, a sample collection cassette, and a prepaid shipping label for sending your blood sample to a certified lab.

To take this test:

• Order the Everlywell kit online.

• Once it arrives, register the kit online using the unique ID that comes inside the kit.

• Use the lancet in the kit to prick your finger and follow the collection instructions inside the kit. "Please note that this test requires you to have fasted for 8 hours before taking the test.

• Place your sample inside the sample pouch included with the kit. Then, put the sample pouch back inside the kit box.

• Send the box back in the return envelope using the prepaid shipping label provided.

• After the lab tests your sample, check your results on our secure, online platform.

After you take any at-home sample collection test, it is recommended that you discuss test results with your healthcare provider for appropriate follow-up. They can discuss your medical history and evaluate your risk for specific medical conditions. 

If your results are outside of normal ranges, a member of our Care Team will reach out to you to answer any questions you may have.

According to guidelines from the CDC and USPTF, you should take a cholesterol test if you...

• Have a family history of heart disease before age 50 in male relatives, or age 60 in female relatives

• Have a personal history of coronary heart disease or non-coronary atherosclerosis (e.g. abdominal aortic aneurysm, peripheral artery disease, carotid artery stenosis)

• Have a personal history of diabetes

• Have a personal history of high blood pressure

• Have a BMI > 30

• Actively use tobacco products

Your cholesterol blood test results will contain your personal levels of total cholesterol, HDL, calculated LDL, and triglycerides, and whether they fall within a low, normal, or high range. We always encourage sharing results of any cholesterol tests with your healthcare provider.

Everlywell can provide suggestions to jumpstart a healthier lifestyle. As always, we encourage you to share your results with a healthcare provider who can provide specific guidance on medication and lifestyle changes.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the blood that plays many important roles in the body, including helping to build hormones. Excessive or high cholesterol levels may result in fatty deposits in blood vessels (specifically, arteries) and lead to an increased risk of heart disease. High cholesterol may be managed with medications and/or lifestyle modifications (such as regular physical activity and dietary changes).

• LDL cholesterol = low-density lipoprotein. This is often referred to as “bad cholesterol” because increased levels may lead to arterial plaque deposits. (Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart and to the rest of the body. Plaque is a hardened mixture of fat, cholesterol, and other substances in the blood.) If unaddressed, these plaque deposits may lead to restricted blood flow throughout the body, which can in turn lead to an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Having a high level of LDL cholesterol can increase this risk. There are many factors that can influence higher LDL levels, such as family history, genetics, and dietary habits.

• HDL cholesterol = high-density lipoprotein. HDL is often referred to as the “good cholesterol” because it absorbs cholesterol and carries it back to the liver. This may in turn lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.

A high cholesterol level may indicate a higher risk of plaque buildup, heart disease, and high blood pressure. This isn’t always the case, though, since total cholesterol includes seemingly beneficial lipids such as HDL. So it’s best to talk with your healthcare provider to understand what high cholesterol may mean for your health. A lipid panel (as part of a broader evaluation and discussion with your healthcare provider) may help you better understand your current risk for cardiovascular events and what actions you may be able to take.

Total cholesterol refers to the combined amounts of different kinds of cholesterol in the body. Total cholesterol includes HDL, LDL, and some smaller cholesterol particles.

Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body. Your body uses triglycerides for fuel when it needs extra energy. But high triglyceride levels may pose a risk to your heart health and may lead to an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and cardiovascular disease. That’s because triglycerides can contribute to plaque formation in arteries, which can lead to a narrowing of the arteries. Your heart then has to work harder to pump blood to your organs and other body parts. Taking a lipid panel, which often includes triglycerides (like our Cholesterol & Lipids test kit) can tell you if your triglyceride levels are elevated.

• Good and Bad Cholesterol

• How To Get Your Cholesterol Tested

• Cholesterol Tools and Resources