Checking your triglycerides, which are a type of cholesterol, can save your life by preventing heart disease before it happens. More than 100 million adults in the U.S. as of 2010 have high cholesterol levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 35 million of these Americans have levels high enough to put them at increased risk for developing heart disease. Knowing how to check triglycerides puts you in control of your cholesterol.
Step 1
Talk with your doctor about your risk for elevated blood cholesterol levels, including triglycerides. Risk factors include obesity, a high calorie diet including fats and carbohydrates, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle and alcohol use. She will order a lipid panel, which measures triglycerides and other types of cholesterol, including LDL and HDL.
Step 2
Schedule an appointment with a medical laboratory to have your triglycerides measured. Be sure to review any medications with the doctor, nurse or laboratory technician making the appointment and they will give you special instructions regarding medication, alcohol and fasting before you get your blood drawn.
Step 3
Stop drinking alcohol at least 24 hours before having your blood drawn, according to LabTestsOnline.org. Alcohol raises triglycerides significantly.
Step 4
Start fasting nine to 12 hours before having your blood drawn, as instructed by your doctor, nurse or lab professional. Fasting means you cannot have anything to eat or drink except for water. Avoid foods high in carbohydrates or especially fatty foods before your blood test.
Step 5
Have someone drive you to the laboratory, especially if you feel light-headed from fasting. Pack a small snack, like juice and crackers, to eat after having your blood drawn to avoid feeling faint.
Step 6
Show up at your appointment on time. Tell the phlebotomist if you have broken your fast by eating or drinking, or if you have had alcohol or medications. Triglycerides are very sensitive to fasting and alcohol intake. Ask for a copy of the results; the laboratory is usually glad to mail results to you as well as to your physician.
Step 7
Review your results. Triglyceride levels of 150 mg/dL or less are normal, according to MayoClinic.org, and triglycerides above 200 mg/dL are high. High triglycerides can increase your risk for developing heart disease. Triglyceride levels above 1,000 mg/dL increase risk of developing pancreatitis.
Step 8
Interpret your results. Review your diet and lifestyle to determine ways to reduce triglycerides. Consider other risk factors for high triglycerides, including heredity and medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease and hyperthyroidism.
