Weight loss test kit

A weight loss test kit can be used to monitor levels in your body of:

• cholesterol – a fatty substance in the blood
• glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) – a marker that is used to test for unregulated blood sugar levels, causing prediabetes and diabetes

Cholesterol and HbA1c can go hand in hand with weight gain:

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is made by the liver and is often found in high saturated foods. It helps to produce vitamin D and bile, it can also help our cells to work properly. There are two types of cholesterol produced in the body, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.

HDL is known as the ‘good’ cholesterol. It works by carrying cholesterol back to the liver to be broken down.

LDL is known as the ‘bad’ kind of cholesterol as it can be harmful to the body. It can build up in the artery walls, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

When you are overweight it can lead to higher levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) which is bad for your heart.

Our cholesterol tests look at all the fats in your blood, including triglyceride which is a different type of fat compared to cholesterol. They are made naturally in our bodies by the liver. Like with cholesterol, higher than normal levels of triglycerides increases your chance of having a heart attack or a stroke.

HbA1c

HbA1c is a marker used to test for diabetes and is known as glycated haemoglobin, a protein found in your red blood cells. It’s made when glucose (sugar) in your body sticks to your red blood cells. When your body cannot use up the sugar in your blood as it normally would (by converting it into energy with the help of insulin), more of it can stick to your red blood cells.

A high HbA1c level means there’s too much sugar in your blood and is a sign of diabetes. It can also cause further diabetes complications.

Testing levels of cholesterol and HbA1c will help you monitor what’s going on inside your body, taking you closer to the next step of your treatment.

The weight loss test kit works by checking the levels of cholesterol and HbA1c. It measures:

• how much cholesterol is in your blood
• your average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months (HbA1c)

The weight loss test kit is accurate if you follow the instructions for taking it correctly. If you have any concerns about the accuracy of the test, speak to your doctor.

It can be helpful to take a weight loss test kit if you’re obese – you have a BMI over 30. It can be especially useful if you’re considering weight loss treatment, so you can see the impact of your weight loss on your general health.

If you are obese, you have a higher risk of developing high cholesterol or raised HbA1c (high blood sugar). High levels of these two can be risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. You may consider getting a weight loss test kit to help you make informed choices about your health going forward.

High risk groups

You may be at a higher risk of developing high cholesterol levels if you:

• have a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease
• are a man, men are more at risk of high cholesterol than women
• are menopausal, women’s risk of high cholesterol increases during the menopause
• are over 50
• are of South Asian or sub-Saharan African origin
• have an unhealthy diet (consume saturated and trans fats frequently)
• do not exercise
• are overweight or obese
• smoke
• have diabetes
• consume alcohol excessively
• have an underactive thyroid
• take steroids

You may be at a higher risk of developing high blood sugar and diabetes (HbA1c) if you:

• are overweight or obese
• do not exercise very often, or at all
• eat a diet high in processed foods, fats, and sugars
• have a family history of diabetes
• have certain other medical conditions, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• have high blood pressure
• are over 45
• have a close relative who has diabetes (parent, sibling, or other relative)
• are of South Asian, African-Caribbean, or Black African descent
• have a history of gestational diabetes during pregnancy
• have PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome)

Taking a test to get a reading for your blood sugar and cholesterol levels can help you to identify and better understand issues which may allow you to take the best next step for your health.

We recommend testing before or just after starting weight loss treatment.

By testing at this point, you can check what your current cholesterol and diabetes statuses are. If they are abnormal, you can then retest after you’ve lost weight to see how they have improved.

When to retest

If your first test showed signs of high cholesterol or diabetes, we recommend testing again after 3-6 months of weight loss treatment.

At this point, your weight loss may have improved your blood sugar and lipid levels, which retesting can confirm for you.

Your test kit should include:

• 3 x lancets
• 2 x collection tubes
• Antiseptic wipe

All tests at ZAVA are made to be taken from the comfort of your home with ease, just simply follow the instructions included in your kit.

How to use your weight loss test kit, step by step:

1. Wash your hands with soap and lukewarm water, and dry them thoroughly.
2. Use one of the swabs included in the kit to clean the fingertip that you would like to use. We recommend that you use the middle or ring finger of your non-dominant hand (the opposite hand to the one you write with). Wait until this finger feels dry.
3. Twist and remove the purple sticks from 1 lancet. Place it in the middle of your fingertip, then press the purple button at the end.
4. A small drop of blood should come out of the top of our fingertip. If this does not work the first time, don’t worry – there are 3 lancets to use in your kit.
5. Use a clean tissue to wipe the first drop of blood away, then angle your finger downwards and gently massage the sides of your fingertip to form another drop of blood.
6. Use your other hand to squeeze the fingertip to drop the blood sample into one of the collection tubes to begin with. Then, move over to the second one. You should fill both tubes to the upper line. If you cannot get enough blood to fill the tubes, use the additional lancets on another finger and repeat steps 1-5.
7. Use the plaster included in your kit to cover your fingertip.
8. Put the lid on the collection tube and twist the lid several times to shut tightly.
9. Place your details on the sticky labels. This is important because it will help our lab identify your test. Place the labelled collection tubes into the protective wallet, and the wallet into the prepaid envelope.
10. Send your samples to our UK based, accredited partner laboratory (postage is free).

You can ask the patient care team any questions you may have about the process of taking the weight loss test via your patient account.