Lipid markers and home blood draws
Cholesterol and other blood fats (lipids) are measured from a blood sample taken from a vein. This page explains what those markers reflect and what having the sample taken at home involves.
What these markers reflect
Together they describe how fats are carried in the blood, which is part of how the heart and circulation work.
- Total cholesterol
- All the cholesterol carried in the blood. Cholesterol is a fat the body uses to build cells and make some hormones.
- LDL cholesterol
- Cholesterol carried by low-density lipoproteins, which move it from the liver to the rest of the body.
- HDL cholesterol
- Cholesterol carried by high-density lipoproteins, which move it back to the liver.
- Triglycerides
- The main form of fat stored in the body and carried in the blood after meals.
What your own results mean is for the clinician or service that requested the test. Some lipid requests ask for a fasting sample; they will tell you if yours does.
What a home blood draw involves
- The healthcare provider that ordered the test arranges the visit and tells you how to prepare.
- A phlebotomist comes to your address and takes a blood sample from a vein in your arm.
- The sample is labelled and sent to the laboratory that provider uses.
- Your results, and what they mean for you, come from that provider.
Where Lola Dispatch fits
Lola Dispatch is a platform healthcare businesses use to send phlebotomists to their patients. It does not sell blood tests and does not take bookings from the public. If you are a patient, please contact the provider that ordered your test.
Access for businesses is by invitation. Before a phlebotomist can take jobs, Lola staff review their DBS certificate, phlebotomy qualification, insurance, ID and right to work.
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