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Public Cholesterol Test
The reliability of public cholesterol tests at health fairs, malls, drugstores, and other sites depends on many factors, including:
- What kind of blood sample is used (finger stick or a sample drawn from a vein).
- What type of equipment is used.
- Whether the equipment is used properly.
- How well the technicians have been trained.
You may wish to ask the technicians how much training they have had and how your blood sample will be handled.
In most cases, public test results are accurate. But most doctors will want to verify public test results before deciding what to do next. For this reason, and also because the doctor can evaluate risk factors and provide counseling, having your cholesterol level checked as part of a routine physical exam or during a doctor visit for some other reason is the preferred method.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: July 2, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Carl Orringer, MD - Cardiology, Clinical Lipidology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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