Cholesterol & Lipids Test Extensive

What is a Cholesterol Test Extensive?

This test measures the total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglyceride, and Lipoprotein(a) levels in your blood. The test is a fingerprick test that you can easily take from home. Your sample will then be examined by a certified laboratory and you will receive the results within a matter of days. It couldn’t be easier! Buy a cholesterol self test today and get immediate insight into your health.

What does a cholesterol test measure?

A cholesterol test checks how much cholesterol is circulating in your blood. High cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. By checking your cholesterol level, you can make lifestyle changes or take medication to lower it.

What does an Lp(a) test measure?

Lipoprotein(a), abbreviated as Lp(a), is a fat-protein particle in the blood that closely resembles LDL cholesterol, but with an added protein component: apolipoprotein(a). This makes Lp(a) particularly sticky, allowing it to build up easily in the walls of the arteries. Elevated Lp(a) levels are an independent, genetically determined risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, and aortic valve stenosis. About 1 in 4 people have elevated Lp(a) levels—often unknowingly, since this isn’t tested routinely by general practitioners.

What’s in the test kit?

The test kit contains instructions for use, lancets to collect a small blood sample, a blood collection tube, alcohol wipes, band-aids, a protective transport bag and a return envelope to send your sample to a certified laboratory.

How does a Cholesterol Test Extensive work?

This test requires a blood sample from a finger prick. The test kit contains all materials and instructions to take the blood sample from home. After activating the test and taking the sample, package and mail the test to the laboratory with the prepaid shipping label. The laboratory will analyse your sample and the results will be sent to your Homed-IQ account.

Cholesterol and lipids

Cholesterol
Cholesterol is produced in the liver and is found in every cell of the body. There are two types of cholesterol: one in the form of HDL (high-density cholesterol) and LDL (low-density cholesterol). HDL is also referred to as the ‘good’ cholesterol and LDL is known as the ‘bad’ cholesterol. An elevated cholesterol level is defined as total cholesterol above 5,18 mmol / l.

HDL
High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) is also known as the “good” cholesterol because it transports excess bad cholesterol to your liver to clear it. Higher HDL levels are associated with lower risk of heart attack and stroke. Lifestyle changes such as increasing exercise, quitting smoking, and improving one’s diet have been seen to increase HDL. 

LDL
Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) transports cholesterol throughout the body, creating the risk that cholesterol builds up in the arteries and can cause cardiovascular disease. Elevated LDL can indicate increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are the most common types of fats in the body. Excess calories, alcohol and sugars are converted into triglycerides and stored in the body as fat. An elevated triglyceride level increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Lipoprotein(a)

Lipoprotein(a), also known as Lp(a), is a fat-like particle found in the blood. It is similar to LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol), but it has an extra protein structure attached to it called apolipoprotein(a). The amount of Lp(a) in the blood is mostly determined by your genes and stays fairly constant throughout life.

High levels of Lp(a) in the blood can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis), as it promotes the formation of blockages and can interfere with the breakdown of blood clots. This increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke.

Unlike other types of cholesterol, Lp(a) is not easily influenced by diet, exercise, or standard cholesterol-lowering medications. If levels are elevated, doctors may focus more intensively on managing other risk factors—like blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, or lifestyle habits—to reduce overall risk.

Symptoms

High cholesterol and Lp(a) itself does not produce any noticeable symptoms. The only way to know if you have it is through a blood test.

While high cholesterol itself does not cause symptoms, long-term high cholesterol can lead to heart disease, stroke, or atherosclerosis in other blood vessels. These conditions can cause symptoms that include left-sided chest pain, pressure, or fullness; dizziness; slurred speech; or pain in the lower legs.

A silent risk

Many people do not know they have high Lp(a) until they encounter heart problems, such as:

• A heart attack at a young age
• A stroke with no clear cause
• Early-onset cardiovascular disease
• Artery blockages despite a healthy lifestyle