Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Screening

Nonfasting cholesterol and glucose screening is available at The Wellness Center during our hours of operation at no charge. The screening tests require blood using the fingerstick method. A blood sample will be taken from your finger, and after a few minutes, you will be given your nonfasting  total cholesterol and blood sugar levels. A staff member from The Wellness Center will discuss the meaning and implications of your numbers with you. If necessary, you will be referred to Student Health Services for a fasting chemfile, which provides a more accurate measure of blood lipid levels. 

Blood lipid levels, especially cholesterol, are one of the important predictors for the development of heart disease. Cholesterol aids vital bodily functions such as building new cells, producing hormones, and digestion. Normally, your liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs. But, you also get cholesterol from your diet. Cholesterol is found in foods derived from animal products, although it’s possible to remove it through special processing techniques. While food derived from plant products do not contain cholesterol, they can (like animal products) contain saturated fats. And a diet high in saturated fats can also raise your cholesterol level, especially if you are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol. Recommended total cholesterol levels should not exceed 200 mg/dL. 

Glucose screening is a measure of the sugar in your blood. A high level of glucose may be indicative of diabetes. Early diagnosis and effective control of diabetes correlates with reduced side effects from the disease. However, a diagnosis of pre-diabetes does not mean that diabetes is inevitable. Modest lifestyle changes—including healthier diets and physical activity—can help people prevent the onset of diabetes. Glucose levels should not exceed 125 mg/dL.