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cholesterol blood test

A

aqualung

Well-Known Member
Messages
695
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
I am due to have my 3 month HbA1c and cholesterol test tomorrow. When I had the last one the GP said I didn't need to fast as they say that the results of fasting blood tests aren't much different from non fasting. Is this correct or would I be better fasting?
 
You would be better fasting (and tell the nurse so she can label the files correctly) as far as the cholesterol test is concerned. For the HbA1c it isn't necessary as it looks at the previous 2 to 3 months on average. The cholesterol is an "at the time the blood was taken" test and results maybe distorted if you have eaten recently. Good luck with it!!
 
HbA1c measures BG locked up in haemoglobin which is why it represents a longer term average (blood recycles on an 8-10 week basis or thereabouts). So fasting for that is irrelevant.
 
I was advised that there is no requirement to fast for HbA1c, or total cholesterol tests, but that fasting is required for accurate breakdowns of cholesterol and triglycerides.
 
I knew that the Hba1c test didn't need to be a fasting one but wasn't sure if the cholesterol one would give better results if it was fasting. My appointment is early in the morning so I will fast for it. I am going to bake some peanut butter/chocolate brownies this evening so will take one with me and have that to look forward to:)
 
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