Cholesterol Testing: Do I Need to Fast? - [Your Brand]

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.