Can i eat before i get my cholesterol tested?

Fast: Not a good idea. Fast for at least 12 hours. This will lead to a more acurate evaluation of the entire lipid profile.

It may effect the...: Eating may effect the measure of your triglycerides. Standard cholesterol testing is unreliable do to a calculation that cannot be performed acurately when your triglyceride level is high. Three options will prevent this: 1. Fast before the test, 2. Ask for a direct LDL (which is unaffected by elevated triglycerides), 3. Ask for an advanced test like ldlp or apob which is unaffected by diet.

No : Should be fasting for 12 hours preferably for most accurate results.

Preferably no: Non-fasting lipid testing can yield useful data. The non-hdl cholesterol level (total - hdl) does not have to be done fasting. In addition, more advanced tests such as apob and LDL particle number are not impacted by recent meals significantly. Best is to let your heath care provider know when you last ate. Test can be interpreted in this light. Elevated non fasting triglycerides can be meaningful.

Cholesterol: This test requires fasting, for at least 12 hours.