Does Cholesterol Testing Require Fasting

You should fast before you have your cholesterol tested. Otherwise, what you eat may affect the results of the test and produce an inaccurate reading.

How Long to Fast

• Your doctor will usually ask you to fast overnight, or for 12 hours.

What about Drinking Water?

• You can drink water, as usual.

How Can Eating Skew Test Results?

• A meal usually contains cholesterol and fat. The cholesterol molecule contains fat, so dietary fat can raise the test reading beyond your natural levels.

What Other Things Can Skew the Results?

• Injury, infection, trauma changes in your normal diet, weight changes in the two weeks previous to testing, and alcohol can also skew test results.

How Often to Get Tested

• Get your cholesterol measured every five years, as a rule. If you are at higher risk for heart disease, your doctor will recommend you get tested more often.