Fasting? - High Cholesterol Message Board

carrielynn · 04-26-2009, 08:23 PM

Do you have to fast before a cholesterol test to get accurate results?

My doctor had my blood tested at 3 pm after an exam. Needless to say I had not been fasting. My cholesterol numbers were the highest they've ever been. The nurse said it didn't make any difference. They are going to retest me during another 3 pm appointment. I'm just wondering if I should insist on fasting ahead of time and getting the test taken in the morning. In the past I've always been fasting... if it doesn't make any difference that's fine, I would just like to know.

tjlhb · 04-26-2009, 11:26 PM

In a non-fasting condition, triglycerides / VLDL is the component that is most likely to be increased.

jenj770 · 04-27-2009, 06:46 AM

I'm always told to fast before the test

MeFromHere · 04-29-2009, 11:39 PM

From what I've read, chol. won't be changed that much by not fasting, but trigs will.

carrielynn · 05-04-2009, 08:24 AM

Here's a follow-up. I just had my cholesterol re-tested at a pharmacy. On one hand it's encouraging, on the other hand it's frustrating.

This time I was fasting.

Total is 227
LDL is 162 (last time, non-fasting it was 202)
HDL is 47 This is the lowest it's ever been. Usually I score in the high 50's and have even been in the 70's
Trig is 88 (last time, non-fasting, was 155)

So I've been able to lower my LDL pretty significantly in 2 months, but at the same time I lowered my HDL.

Frustrating!!!