- With Mayo Clinic cardiologist
Thomas Behrenbeck, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Thomas Behrenbeck, M.D.
Thomas Behrenbeck, M.D.
Dr. Thomas Behrenbeck is a native of Germany, where he received his medical education at the Westfalian Wilhelm University in Munster and became board certified in internal medicine and cardiology.
He also received a Ph.D. in biophysics and physiology at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Behrenbeck joined the Mayo Clinic staff in 1990 and is currently an associate professor at Mayo Medical School and an academic faculty member at the Westfalian Wilhelm University. He is chair of the Cardiovascular Medicine and Surgery NetWork of the American College of Chest Physicians.
Dr. Behrenbeck is a noninvasive cardiologist, specializing in cardiovascular (CV) imaging modalities (echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, and CT), coronary artery disease and prevention of coronary artery disease. His research interests are the application of imaging technology to early recognition and treatment of atherosclerosis. He is passionate about patients' involvement in their health issues.
"The Internet and patient education present ideal synergies in the ever-growing field of knowledge in cardiology," he said.
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Question
Cholesterol test kits: Are they accurate?
Are home cholesterol test kits accurate?
Answer
from Thomas Behrenbeck, M.D.
Home cholesterol test kits are widely available. Some cholesterol test kits measure only total cholesterol. A few also measure high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides — a type of fat found in the blood. Although home cholesterol testing seems fast and easy, it's important to regard the results with caution.
Even when cholesterol testing is done by trained professionals in a lab, there can be significant variability in test results. The variability may be even greater with home cholesterol test kits, especially if you're not fasting when you take the test. Also, cholesterol management requires more than simply measuring total cholesterol. Careful clinical assessment of HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides also is important. And even then, other factors — such as family history, smoking and high blood pressure — play a role in cholesterol management and heart health.
Before investing in home cholesterol test kits, consult your doctor. If you proceed with home testing, remember that home cholesterol tests don't replace clinical cholesterol tests — nor do they offer an overall assessment of other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Next questionCoenzyme Q10: Can it prevent statin side effects?
- Ross J. Home test measures total cholesterol. The Nurse Practitioner. 2003;28(7):52-53.
- Cholesterol, home testing devices. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4501. Accessed Aug. 19, 2008.
- Home-use tests. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/oivd/consumer-homeuse.html. Accessed Aug. 19, 2008.
