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The Best Ways to Improve Fasting for Cholesterol Tests

If you are getting blood work drawn during your annual physical, you may be instructed to fast prior to having your blood drawn. Your body can show elevated Low-density lipoprotein numbers when you eat prior to the test, particularly if you eat foods high in fat. All food calories are converted to triglycerides between meals, and can elevate your levels also, which is the reason for a complete fast. There are a few factors to remember when fasting to help you and your doctor get the best picture of your cholesterol.

  1. What is Considered Fasting

    • Fasting for your cholesterol test involves not eating or drinking anything except water for at least twelve hours before you take the blood test. Some doctors will recommend you fast for 14 hours to make sure that you have metabolized any food in your system. If you know what markets your doctor will be testing for, you may be able to eat normally. The reason is that total cholesterol number or high density lipoprotein numbers are not adversely affected by lack of fasting. High density lipoprotein (HDL) is good cholesterol with low density lipoprotein (LDL) being the bad cholesterol. When in doubt, ask you doctor or simply fast.

    Scheduling

    • If you aren't going to be able to eat, you need to make sure you are able to get through your day. You won't be able to consume anything other than water while fasting, so dietary stimulants such as caffeine need to be eliminated as well. This includes coffee, tea and sodas.

      It is best to schedule your fast early in the morning. Base this on when you eat dinner or have your last piece of dessert. If you eat dinner at 7 p.m., then you want to schedule your exam for 9 am. This gives you enough time to enjoy your dinner, but not have you going later into your day without eating anything.

    Medications

    • If you are on any medications, you should talk to your doctor about whether or not you should refrain from taking them. Prescriptions such as birth control have been known to increase your cholesterol levels. Your doctor may want to see the levels without the medication which means that you will need to refrain from taking them for several days. Don't just limit prescriptions from which you may need to fast. Talk to your doctor about any supplements, vitamins or over-the-counter medications from which they may want you to refrain, as well.

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