How to check your cholesterol
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How to Check Your Cholesterol: Methods and Innovations
Monitoring cholesterol levels is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health. Various methods, ranging from traditional laboratory techniques to modern smartphone-based tools, are available for checking cholesterol. This article explores these methods, highlighting their accuracy, convenience, and technological advancements.
Traditional Laboratory Methods for Cholesterol Testing
Serum Cholesterol Determination
One of the earliest methods for determining serum cholesterol involves a modification of the Pearson, Stern, and Mcgavack method. This technique is reliable, with values agreeing within ±7% of the Sackett method, and includes a procedure to eliminate errors due to bilirubin. Another established method uses the saponification and extraction procedure of Abell et al., combined with the color reaction of Zlatkis et al., ensuring accuracy and reproducibility.
Automated Enzymic Systems
Automated systems, such as the one described for Du Pont's Automatic Clinical Analyzer, offer a completely automated enzymic measurement of total cholesterol in serum. This method uses cholesterol oxidase to oxidize free cholesterol, producing a measurable dye, and is known for its high reagent efficiency and reliable analytical performance.
Direct Manual Methods
A simple and direct manual method for determining total cholesterol in serum involves using a single stable reagent without the need for serum extraction. This method is precise, with inter-run precision around ±3%, and is not significantly affected by hemoglobin, bilirubin, or γ-globulin unless present in very high concentrations.
Modern Innovations in Cholesterol Testing
Smartphone-Based Cholesterol Testing
Recent advancements have led to the development of smartphone accessories and applications that can quantify cholesterol levels in blood using standard test strips. These tools are designed to be cost-effective, easy to use, and capable of storing and processing results efficiently. Human trials have demonstrated that these systems can accurately measure total cholesterol levels within 60 seconds, making cholesterol monitoring more accessible and widespread.
Non-Invasive Techniques
Non-invasive (NI) methods for cholesterol detection are emerging as a promising alternative to traditional blood sample collection. These techniques, which do not require blood samples, offer painless and precise measurements. The integration of algorithms, the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), and artificial intelligence (AI) is enhancing the accuracy and feasibility of NI approaches for regular cholesterol monitoring.
Point of Care Testing (POCT)
Point of Care Testing (POCT) devices, which utilize biosensor technology, provide a convenient alternative for cholesterol testing. Studies comparing POCT devices with traditional photometry methods have shown that POCT results are comparable and acceptable, with total error values within allowable limits.
Whole-Blood Testing Devices
Innovative whole-blood testing devices have been developed to perform cholesterol tests using a low-cost, disposable flow device. These devices meter the sample, separate plasma from erythrocytes, and time the plasma flow into reagent compartments, displaying results as a color bar. Clinical studies have shown these devices to be precise and accurate, with total imprecision below 5% and minimal bias compared to the Abell-Kendall method.
Conclusion
Cholesterol testing has evolved significantly, from traditional laboratory methods to modern, user-friendly innovations. Whether through automated systems, smartphone-based tools, non-invasive techniques, or POCT devices, individuals now have multiple reliable options for monitoring their cholesterol levels. These advancements are making cholesterol testing more accessible, accurate, and convenient, ultimately contributing to better cardiovascular health management.
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