Should cholesterol blood test be a fasting one ?

[Sam50]

Afternoon Everyone,

At long last the surgery have gotten around to calling Hubby for his 3 month (nearer to 5) month blood tests. As one will be for cholesterol levels should that be a fasting one ?

The surgery say that it doesn't matter but my gut feeling is that he shouldn't eat beforehand. Would a cup of coffee affect it or should he stick with water ?

what do you good folks advise ?

thank you in advance.

 

[Bluetit1802]

For the best results he needs to fast for around 8 to 10 hours, water only. If he eats/drinks anything containing fat the triglyceride component may be higher.

 

[bulkbiker]

If you want to get a full lipid profile (and it has been ordered by your doc) then you should fast. At least that is what the phlebotomist who took my last bloods told me. If you haven't fasted my surgery won't do a full lipid panel, so you won;t get the breakdown of HDL and triglycerides that a lot of us deem the most useful part.

 

[Sam50]

thank you !- I shall tell him to skip his morning coffee then. I don't think he can face another argument with the DN over statins !

 

[Jo_the_boat]

I don't think he can face another argument with the DN over statins !

If hubby wants some ammunition for his cholesterol / statin row with the nurse, this video may be worth watching......
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/thr...-ivor-cummings-at-the-bacpr-yesterday.127479/