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HealthcheX CHO Cholesterol Test Instructions

Read all instructions carefully before starting the test.

Familiarize yourself with the “HealthcheX CHO” test kit.

HealthcheX CHO– What does it do?

The HealthcheX CHO test is a self assessment test to detect, in vitro, the concentration of total cholesterol in a blood sample obtained from a single finger prick. The kit contains one test in a sealed foil marked “HealthcheX CHO”; for assessing total cholesterol in whole blood sample only.

About Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a greasy substance, mainly produced in the liver. The body also absorbs cholesterol from food. Cholesterol is encapsulated by proteins and transported by blood. The body needs cholesterol to produce certain cells, hormones and for digestion. There are two major kinds of cholesterol: LDL-cholesterol (low-density lipo-protein) and HDL-cholesterol (high-density lipo-protein). LDL-cholesterol, also called “bad” cholesterol, may lead to “arteriosclerosis” or coating of the inside of the blood vessels which can lead to cardiovascular problems. HDL-cholesterol, also called “good” cholesterol, is capable of decreasing the cholesterol concentration in blood. A high level of cholesterol can be caused by a bad diet, excessive alcohol, smoking, overweight and lack of exercise. Diabetes may also cause increased cholesterol levels.

HealthcheX CHO– How does it work?

Once the blood sample has been added to the test well it flows through a membrane that separates the red cells from the plasma. The cholesterol present in the plasma reacts with chemicals coating the membrane resulting in a blue/purple line moving up the scale The migration distance of the coloured line is proportional to the concentration of cholesterol present in the sample. On completion of the test, the highest level that the blue/purple colour reaches on the scale is read off and this value is converted to the amount of cholesterol in the sample using the chart contained in the kit.

Contents of the kit

  1. A HealthcheX CHO cholesterol test foil pouch contains a single test device (and a bag containing a desiccant which is not required to perform the test.)
  2. 2 x Sterile lancets to allow a blood sample to be taken from a finger prick
  3. Adhesive plaster
  4. Instructions for use
  5. Result conversion chart

Not included:

• A clock or timer
• A paper tissue

HealthcheX-CHO - Test Procedure

Important issues: Before you perform the test:

STEP 1:

This is a very important step; read this section on how to draw a blood sample carefully. If after reading this information, you still have questions, please contact the store where you bought the test or call the helpline number listed at the end of this leaflet

DO NOT PULL THE TAB UNTIL STEP 4!

STEP 2 :Drawing the blood sample.

Take the lancet, twist the coloured cap and pull it off

STEP 3: Adding blood sample to test device
STEP 4: (a) Activating the Test
STEP 4 (b) Reading the result.

IMPORTANT: The result chart that came within the test kit is specific for this lot of cholesterol tests. Use only the result chart provided with this kit. A result chart from any other kit may give an inaccurate result.

Understanding Your Cholesterol Test Result

PLEASE NOTE: A single test result should only be considered “indicative” of your cholesterol level and cannot normally be considered “diagnostic”. The result must form part of a full biochemical and clinical analysis. Bearing this in mind, if your cholesterol test result is borderline high, and you have other risk factors e.g. smoking, over weight, no exercise etc., we advise you to contact your GP or do another test after 3 to 8 weeks.

Total Cholesterol Classification*
5.2 or less mmol/L Desirable
5.21 to 6.2 mmol/L Borderline high
Greater than 6.2 mmol/L HIGH RISK group

*= NCEP Guidelines III (2005)

If your result is high, please contact your GP immediately.

A high level of cholesterol is one of the most important risk factors for coronary heart disease. (A risk factor is something that increases your chances of getting the disease.)

The other major risk factors are:

There is also a greater risk of heart attacks among people who have familial hyperlipidaemia – an inherited condition in which the blood cholesterol level is very high.

Questions and Answers.

What can I do to make drawing the blood easier?

Can both indicators change colour without giving me a correct reading?

Yes, but an inaccurate result will occur if:

How accurate is the HealthcheX CHO test?

The HealthcheX CHO test is as accurate as tests used by doctors and medical labs. The HealthcheX CHO test was evaluated in professional studies throughout the U.S. When the instructions were followed carefully and all the steps were performed correctly, the accuracy, on average, was 97%.

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

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.

Will common foods, alcohol or medication affect my test results?

Generally not. 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.

LIMITS OF THE TEST

Follow-up action

If you have difficulty performing the test or understanding the results obtained then contact the place you purchased the product from in the first instance. You should consult your healthcare professional for advice if a positive result is obtained or the test is negative but concerns persist.

WARNINGS

Discarding the kit:

After your result is known put all contents back in the original box and dispose with your daily household waste products