Question 1

should i fast before a cholesterol/lipid test? my nonfast cholesterol was recently high, but 6 months ago a fasting was square in the  normal range?

Accepted Answer

Fasting is best: Hi. All the normal ranges for cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, non-HDL, etc are based on fasting values. Normative values for post-challenge (i.e., non-fasting) lipids are not established. Actually, cholesterol changes very little with eating, whereas triglycerides may show a dramatic response depending on what is eaten. But yeah, do it fasting for the best info.

Question 2

my doctor did a blood lipid profile but i didnt fast. will that affect the test?

Accepted Answer

Definitely: A fasting lipid panel is what is needed to get reliable numbers, especially if they are being used to risk stratify you and/or calculate your lifetime risk of heart disease. 10-12 hours of no food, but may stay hydrated morning of test with water.

Question 3

my doctor did a blood lipid profile but i didn't fast, so are the results still valid?

Accepted Answer

Not for triglyceride: Better to be fasting when getting lipid profile particularly for triglycerides.

Question 4

my lipids test said that my ldl level is 120. everything else in this test was normal. i ate breakfast and took this blood test at 4 pm. could this have affected the number or is this number normal? how fast does it go up?

Accepted Answer

: Cholesterol, including LDL&amp; HDL is not significantly affect by eating just before the test, but serum triglycerides are ( as is blood sugar). Cholesterols are a steady state in the body. Many of my patients came for their yearly checkup right from work and we still sent out their blood for testing. If triglycerides or glucose were elevated, we would have them do a 12 hours and repeat the tests.

Question 5

is it really necessary to fast for a lipid panel?  my blood sugar will be rock bottom& the parkn garage & million mile walk to drs office is too much

Accepted Answer

Lab testing : To minimize variables that may affect lab results, it is standard practice to do fasting lab work. For a lipid panel, the triglyceride component is very sensitive to ingestion of food. Drinking plain water will not affect most lab results but ask your md first.

Question 6

my daughter is getting multiple blood tests done this friday. is it likely she has to fast, or can she eat breakfast before it (if i remember properly, the tests were comprehensive metabolic panel, vitamin d, lipid panel, and complete blood count.?

Accepted Answer

: She should be fasting overnight (or after midnight) but she still can drink plain water anytime she wants.

Question 7

too many lipids, what to do?

Accepted Answer

Watch what you eat: The only way to reduce cholesterol is watching what you eat and exercise. If you have genetic disorder then you need an expert evaluation and treatment.

Question 8

please explain the role of lipids?

Accepted Answer

High levels: Epidemioloigcally, elevated lipid levels are associated with the development of arteriosclerosis which is the underlying cause of heart attacks and strokes.

Question 9

what is the significance of lipid profile?

Accepted Answer

Predicts events.: Lipid profile tells you about risk for future heart / blood vessel disease. Smoking, hypertension, diabetes and lipids are modifiable risk factors. Non modifiable risk factors are male sex, getting older and having family history of early heart disease. At your age there is virtually no contribution of lipids to mortality within the next 20 years unless numbers very high or many risk factors.

Question 10

can you measure your lipid levels? if so how?

Accepted Answer

Routine blood test: It is better to have a high HDL and a low LDL. HDL is the good and LDL is the bad cholesterol. Doctors want a patient's total cholesterol divided by HDL to be less than 3.0. Avoiding animal fats should lower one's LDL. One's triglycerides (TG) should not be high either. Avoiding sugar and avoiding simple carbohydrates should lower one's TG.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Do you have to fast for lipid screen

A member asked:

Should i fast before a cholesterol/lipid test? my nonfast cholesterol was recently high, but 6 months ago a fasting was square in the normal range?

A member asked:

My doctor did a blood lipid profile but i didnt fast. will that affect the test?

A member asked:

My doctor did a blood lipid profile but i didn't fast, so are the results still valid?

A member asked:

My lipids test said that my ldl level is 120. everything else in this test was normal. i ate breakfast and took this blood test at 4 pm. could this have affected the number or is this number normal? how fast does it go up?

A member asked:

Is it really necessary to fast for a lipid panel? my blood sugar will be rock bottom& the parkn garage & million mile walk to drs office is too much

A member asked:

My daughter is getting multiple blood tests done this friday. is it likely she has to fast, or can she eat breakfast before it (if i remember properly, the tests were comprehensive metabolic panel, vitamin d, lipid panel, and complete blood count.?

A member asked:

Too many lipids, what to do?

A member asked:

Please explain the role of lipids?

A member asked:

What is the significance of lipid profile?

A member asked:

Can you measure your lipid levels? if so how?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?