How to Measure Sodium Levels
Having high levels of sodium in your body on a consistent basis can cause a myriad of health problems. If the sodium levels are not decreased, vital organs like your kidneys and heart can be permanently damaged. Doctors who suspect that a patient is overdoing it on the table salt will often request blood or urine tests. For patients who tend to ignore a doctor's advice, physically seeing proof that sodium levels are too high may be the impetus necessary to start making appropriate lifestyle changes.Things You'll Need
- Telephone
- Means of transportation
- Calendar
- Pen
- Paper
- Refrigerator
Instructions
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Blood Test
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Contact your healthcare provider and request a blood test to check your sodium levels.
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Go to the doctor's office or another sterile environment to have a vial of blood extracted by a phlebotomist or other medical professional.
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Ask when the results of this test will be available and whether they will be sent directly to you or to your physician.
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Mark the date that you should have the results on your calendar.
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Take initiative and call the physician yourself if you have not been informed of the results by the date marked on your calendar.
Urine Test
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Contact your healthcare provider and request a urine test to check your sodium levels.
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Take the gallon-size container that the doctor provides.
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Look at the clock when you arrive home. Write down the current time. Add twenty-four hours and then write down that time as well. Post the paper on the refrigerator.
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Collect all urine for that twenty-four hour time period in the container provided by your physician. Store the container in the refrigerator when it is not being used.
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Check the cap on the container to make sure it is secure after you have completed the 24-hour collection period. Follow the instructions provided by your doctor to submit the urine to a laboratory. According to WebMD, the test results should be available one day after submission.
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