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

Customer Reviews

• S.

  5.0 out of 5 stars >> DOES THE JOB

  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, > pipette (one for each test), > (optional) small container with distilled water to rinse pipette, > 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, 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.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 Bolo 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> 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. Two notes:> The Niacin should be "ordinary" niacin, not "slow release" (or "non-flushing", etc), and your entire dosage should be taken 1 time per day only, NOT twice (research it if you doubt me -- it's important).> You'd have to swallow 10 or more ordinary "fish oil" capsules to get ~3300mg of omega-3. I use "OmegaVia Ultra Concentrated Omega-3" and "Nature Made Ultra Omega-3" -- both available from Bolo, cheapest by "subscription". The OmegaVia is arguably a better formula for controlling cholesterol (including triglycerides), but the "Nature Made" is much cheaper.> It can get confusing -- "Nature Made Ultra Omega-3" is NOT the same product as "Nature Made Fish Oil 1200mg" that you can find in your local pharmacy or even in your grocery store. "Nature Made Fish Oil 1200mg" only contains 360mg of Omega-3. So, you need "Ultra", if you are serious about bringing down your cholesterol (including triglycerides) levels> The medications are most effective if taken before before meals. So, I take my 1500mg of Niacin in the morning with 1 Omega-3 tablet. In the evening I take my 1 fenofibrate with 2 omega-3 capsules.> If your triglyceride problem is less that mine, you first option should be omega-3 (since it appears to be the safest). If 3000mg omega-3 doesn't bring down your triglycerides enough, then add niacin (again, only ONCE per day). Some individuals have problems adjusting to large dosages of niacin -- but don't be discouraged by the reported problems -- I've had no problem at all. 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.

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• H.

  5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended!! 4% error with Lab reading.

  First of all, product very easy to draw blood into device in which I was having problems with another manufacturer and wasted testing strips. Read the reviews and very happy with comparing with Lab results. The morning of my blood work, Cardio check showed 200 and my Lab blood work that same day was 207. It’s expensive but happy I’m getting close results.

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• C. C.

  4.0 out of 5 stars Best in Class Home Lipid Meter

  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 Bolo and Cardio Chek is still the best.

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• D. S.

  5.0 out of 5 stars Very easy to use

  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.

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• M. M. C.

  2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed. Careful with the results.

  Okay. I tried to be as objective and possible with this equipment. I read reviews and this kit had a good reputation for accuracy. I did the test and the prep, EXACTLY as instructed in the paperwork. The kit itself was well packaged, put together well, and the instructions clear and understandable. Obtaining a sufficient blood sample was a bit of a trick, but I got it. Insert sample and wait. Easy enough. If you play with it, you can get it to retest the same ple easily, which was consistent. The results? Hummm...I had my annual blood work completed three days later and the comparative test results were not good. The total Cholesterol from the kit was WAY off the lab results by 100 points, which of course means the calculated LDL results were WAY off as well. The HDL and Triglycerides were comparable, i.e., within a few points. Not sure of the issue? Had good blood and the machine self tested fine. Cholesterol does not change that drastically, that quickly, so the results - at the moment - are very questionable.Not ready to give this a thumbs up or down at the moment. Being the geek that I am, I will buy some refills and try this again. It would be nice to have a reliable test kit for my own monitoring. But at the moment, this is unreliable.

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