What happens during a cholesterol test?A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.Cholesterol tests are usually done in the morning, as you may be asked to refrain from eating for several hours prior to the test.You may also be able to use an at-home kit to test for cholesterol. While instructions may vary between brands, your kit will include some kind of device to prick your finger. You’ll use this device to collect a drop of blood for testing. Be sure to follow the kit instructions carefully.Also, be sure to tell your health care provider if your at-home test results shown your cholesterol level is higher than 200 mg/dl.
