Triglycerides and cholesterol are two types of fat that your body utilizes for energy and normal bodily function. Triglycerides are fatty acids that transport dietary fat and provide the cells in your body with energy, while cholesterol is needed to produce Vitamin D, hormones and building cell membranes. When cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your blood are increased, this can increase your risk of getting heart disease. By monitoring your triglycerides and cholesterol levels at home, you can find out if you are at risk for cardiovascular disease.
Step 1
Purchase a home cholesterol and triglycerides kit at your local drug store or medical supplies store. Make sure to purchase a device which measures triglycerides, HDL, or high density lipoprotein (good cholesterol), LDL, or low density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) and total cholesterol. You should also purchase a device which already includes a blood collection kit (lancet and lancet pen). This is cheaper than purchasing a separate blood collection kit.
Step 2
Read the instruction manual and double-check to make sure that everything is included in the box especially the diagnostic strips. Most kits are battery operated and will not include batteries. Purchase some before using the device.
Step 3
Read the instructions on how to collect blood using the pen lancet. The cholesterol and triglyceride measuring device will require several drops of blood taken from your finger. The ring or middle finger is commonly used to collect blood.
Step 4
Turn on the device and prepare to collect blood from your finger. Wash your hands before performing blood collection. Wipe the finger to be pricked with alcohol using a sterile gauze or cotton ball. Prick your finger according to the directions of the kit. Place your blood in the collection slot of the device or on the collection strip. Wipe your finger with cotton and cover with a band aid while you are waiting for the results to appear on the screen of the device. Test results normally take one to 10 minutes before they are displayed.
Step 5
Check the displayed results on the screen of the device. Read the chart that came with the device. Look for the normal values of cholesterol and triglycerides. Normal values for good cholesterol (HDL) is 35 to 135 mg/dl (milligram per deciliter), bad cholesterol (LDL) is 62 to 130 mg/dl and triglycerides is 0 to 200 mg/dl. If your home test results are above normal, contact your physician. It is possible that you may need to take medications to lower your cholesterol and triglycerides level to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Tips and Warnings
- You are required to fast for 12 hours before measuring your blood cholesterol and triglycerides level.
Things You'll Need
- Cotton
- Alcohol
