How to Test Your HDL

HDL cholesterol, or "high-density lipoprotein," is the "good" kind of cholesterol in your body. A healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber plus exercise and a limited intake of fatty foods are key to maintaining healthy HDL levels. Doctors typically view HDL levels over 50 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter of blood) to be necessary for optimal health; a blood test --- performed either at home or at a doctor's office --- is necessary to determine your HDL levels.

Things You'll Need

• Home cholesterol test device

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Instructions

A Doctor's visit or a home cholesterol testing kit

• 1

  Fatty foods can lower HDL levels and raise LDL.

  Contact your doctor's office and ask for an appointment to have your HDL measured. Fast for 9-12 hours before your doctor visit, do not consume alcholol, 48 hours before the test and avoid coffee, tea and soda. A cholesterol blood test is then administered by the doctor, HDL levels will be considered as part of your overall lipid profile including HDL, "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides.

• 2

  Fasting is not necessary if using a home cholesterol kit. Avoid vitamin C and acetaminophen (over 500 milligrams) for 24 hours before taking the test. Start by washing your hands thoroughly. Rub your hands together to warm them and choose a finger --- either your middle or ring finger --- to prick. Increase blood flow by letting the arm of the selected finger hang at your side. Do this for at least 30 seconds.

• 3

  Put the selected hand on a flat surface, palm facing up, then puncture your finger with the test device per the included instructions. Allow several seconds for the blood to flow, then add the collected blood to the device's blood basin. Verify that the basin is full of blood before proceeding.

• 4

  Clean any excess blood from your hand and wait for the test device to measure your HDL --- this typically takes 10 to 15 minutes. Call the professional staff number provided with your device instructions if you have questions.