Fasting requirements of the lipid panel

A lipid panel is finally a cholesterol test. It is used to determine the level not only of total cholesterol, but also low density lipoproteins (LDL), high density lipoproteins (HDL) and triglycerides in your blood circulation. Often called lipid profile, this blood test is really the first line of defense against high cholesterol. If a reading returns to the limit of the limit, you and your doctor can take certain measures to bring your levels back to a healthy range. But you can’t just get into your clinic and run a lipid panel; You must first prepare for the test. One of the requirements is a short period of fasting.

Food

The first requirement for a fasting cholesterol test is to stop eating food between nine and 12 hours before the panel. This even includes broths, broths, soups and gelatins that can be authorized with other types of blood tests. Consider asking for a meeting early in the morning so that the fasting period can largely occur while you sleep. And although food may not affect the levels of total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol, according to the Harvard Medical Center, it can cause a 30% increase in your levels of triglycerides, which inevitably gives you an incorrect reading.

Liquid

In addition to the restriction of food, you will also not be asked to drink only water in the nine at 12 noon. This means that you will have to skip your morning coffee or tea as well as all other drinks, such as milk, soda and juice. The reason is largely in the food restriction, as some drinks can affect your triglyceride levels.

Alcohol

It is also important to avoid alcoholic drinks before a lipid panel. But this directive does not ask you to avoid alcohol for only nine at 12 noon; You shouldn’t drink wine, beer or spirits for at least 24 hours before your blood test. And as with food and other liquids, alcohol can increase your triglycerides levels, according to the Harvard Medical Center, which can also affect your LDL reading.