Blood Test

• 1). Contact your healthcare provider and request a blood test to check your sodium levels.
  
  
• 2). Go to the doctor's office or another sterile environment to have a vial of blood extracted by a phlebotomist or other medical professional.
  
  
• 3). Ask when the results of this test will be available and whether they will be sent directly to you or to your physician.
  
  
• 4). Mark the date that you should have the results on your calendar.
  
  
• 5). 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

• 1). Contact your healthcare provider and request a urine test to check your sodium levels.
  
  
• 2). Take the gallon-size container that the doctor provides.
  
  
• 3). 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.
  
  
• 4). 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.
  
  
• 5). 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.