Check triglycerides and cholesterol at home
Cholesterol and triglycerides are two kinds of fats that are necessary for life. Cholesterol is necessary for producing hormones, producing vitamin D and building cell membranes. Triglycerides are fatty acids that provide energy for cells. For many people, having too much cholesterol and triglycerides in their blood can be life threatening. High cholesterol and triglycerides are linked to heart disease and strokes. If you are concerned about high cholesterol and high triglycerides, you can follow a few easy steps to check your levels at home.
Instructions
1. Purchase a home triglycerides and cholesterol test kit. They are available online and at most drug stores. Your doctor may be able to recommend a reliable kit for home use.
2. Check the package for the level of accuracy before purchasing a home test kit. Triglycerides and cholesterol home test kits should have at least a 95 percent level of accuracy and be approved by the FDA.
3. Make sure to read the directions thoroughly on the triglycerides and cholesterol home test kit before drawing blood. Double-check the directions for fasting requirements; many home test kits for triglycerides and cholesterol require fasting 10 to 12 hours prior to testing.
4. Follow the kit directions to prick your finger for blood droplets. Most triglycerides and cholesterol tests require several drops of blood. The middle finger is usually the best place to draw blood.
5. Clean the finger you are going to prick with gauze and alcohol.
6. Prick the finger according to directions, and place the blood sample on the strip or in the collection device of the test kit.
7. Check the results. The triglycerides and cholesterol results are usually displayed on an easy-to-read monitor. Some kits can take up to 10 minutes to reveal results.
8. Read the chart on the home test kit directions for safe triglycerides and cholesterol counts. Compare your triglycerides and cholesterol results.
9. Contact a doctor as soon as possible if your triglycerides and/or cholesterol results are above normal. Triglycerides that are higher than 150 mg/dL and cholesterol that is higher than 200 mg/dL are usually considered unsafe.
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