EasyCheck Cholesterol Complete -
A Pharmacists Guide to POC Cholesterol Screening
Why test cholesterol levels in seemingly healthy populations?
• Identify CVD risk and achieve the right advice earlier and younger
• In New Zealand over 30% of adults have sub-optimal Total to HDL
Cholesterol ratio
• Fewer than 1 in 3 New Zealanders with high LDL Cholesterol has the
condition under control
• High cholesterol can be assisted by positive lifestyle
changes, such as improved diet and exercise
• It is estimated 90% of adult New Zealanders would
90%
benefit by lowering their cholesterol levels
How does the EasyCheck Cholesterol Complete test work?
• Measures Total and HDL Cholesterol in blood, with In vitro diagnostic
device for Qualitative, or Semi-Quantitative determination using a
colour producing enzyme assay
• The chemistry of the strips is based on enzymatic reduction of
cholesterol with the production of hydrogen peroxide which is
quantitatively measuring using the well-established Trinder colour
reaction, which is an enzymatic peroxidase colour methodology
• Single use, manually operated, visual interpretation
Precautions
• Do not advise any medication changes without medical
advice from patients GP
• A screening test is not a final diagnosis, refer patients to
their GP if there are any concerns about the results.
olour blindness C
have another person interpret
the results
Who should regularly screen their cholesterol levels?
• Statin users should monitor cholesterol levels at a minimum
every 6 months
• Those with a family history of heart disease
• People who smoke, live with diabetes, or have high blood pressure.
• Persons with a BMI over 25
• An established TC/HDL ratio of greater than 4.0 mmol/L
Long blood collection time Use only with fresh blood, too much time
collecting will obscure a clear result
Visiting a doctor, and then going to a laboratory to test cholesterol
can be time consuming and inconvenient: With a simple and quick
pharmacy test, someone can test their cholesterol levels, and have the
results explained, in a convenient and timely fashion
Lowering cholesterol levels naturally is a process involving change:
Lifestyle changes such as better eating habits and adding moderate
exercise can improve cholesterol levels. Assessing cholesterol levels
after lifestyle changes can motivate people to maintain them
The following factors can affect the result negatively:
Paracetamol or Vitamin C tablets
(500mg or more) –
Wait 4 hours to run the test
Wrong reading time Ensure a reaction has fully completed before
interpreting, do not interpret after
recommended read times
Direct sunlight, or high humidity Avoid testing
High temperatures Storage of the test kits must be
below 25 degrees C