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
Blood Test
Contact your healthcare provider and request a blood test to check your sodium levels.
Go to the doctor's office or another sterile environment to have a vial of blood extracted by a phlebotomist or other medical professional.
Ask when the results of this test will be available and whether they will be sent directly to you or to your physician.
Mark the date that you should have the results on your calendar.
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
Contact your healthcare provider and request a urine test to check your sodium levels.
Take the gallon-size container that the doctor provides.
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.
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.
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.