Cholesterol test

[Pollypuss]

I am to have my blood check up and have been told I don’t have to starve regarding my cholesterol test. Is this something new or has somebody made a mistake ?

[RufusScamp]

I have never had to starve before a blood test. Why do you expect to have to?

[Pollypuss in reply to RufusScamp]

I have always had to starve for my cholesterol blood test

[MONIREN]

I've had to fast before diabetic blood test, but that's only from 10pm. Maybe it's the same.

[Retirement65]

Hi there having worked in general practice the guidelines changed sometime ago you don’t need to fast that said I always told patients to fast it’s like having your glucose checked now the hba1c gives a better value of what’s been going on over the previous Three months rather than a fasting glucose check although (they still do that test as well ) so it’s averaged out that’s a truer reading - with cholesterol readings obviously if you had a McDonald’s or something else like a big block of chocolate that will show up but your values would be more again averaged out plus there are the other levels LDL and HDL to take into consideration so it’s patient choice really I personally always fast before my check 👍hope this helps a little x

[Hidden in reply to Retirement65]

You really think if someone has a mcd's it will show on their chol blood test the next day?

I was told that chol can take a couple of months to show changes in diet, lifestyle etc.

[Retirement65 in reply to Hidden]

Yes your right that’s why I was saying about why they changed the guidelines about not having to fast but it was the rule of thumb at our practice particularly if you had lipid problems to still fast I’m sure they might have different ways of looking at this at different practices just choices really and yes they would say to patient’s what had you been eating before your check if it was particularly raised 😊

[Wooodsie in reply to Hidden]

I had a bag of scratchings and fasted after 10pm. My cholesterol was 12+ the next day. They wanted me to go on statins there and then. I explained and we did another test. 4.5 this time 😂

[Hidden in reply to Wooodsie]

Interesting, i thought it would only impact Tri's not HDL/LDL, i'll need to ask the question again, thanks.

[Wooodsie in reply to Hidden]

I was shocked too. It didn't stop me getting angina and a bypass. But it did stop me eating so many scratchings (can't give up all of the sins all of the time) 🤫😂😂😂

[Hidden]

My bloods sre tested every 4 weeks or so.I've not been told to stop eating or drinking beforehand.

Not had a specific cholestoral test, just assumed it would be done from the bloods taken. It must be ok, as it never gets mentioned.

[Retirement65 in reply to Hidden]

Hello they wouldn’t be doing your cholesterol check every four weeks usually if it’s stable its a once every 12 months then every 6 months if you have had a raised result this would be to see lifestyle changes etc had an impact 😊

[PeterpPiper]

You don’t need to starve for a regular cholesterol check

[Hidden]

From the internet

A 2012 study showed that there was minimal difference between a fasting and non-fasting cholesterol blood test. Whilst this stands true, it doesn’t apply to all the other tests that may require fasting.

A fasting blood test allows for your doctor to have a snapshot of your body without external interference from food, medication and other factors (you might be asked not to smoke or drink alcohol prior to some tests).

With a cholesterol blood test, levels of two types of cholesterol are measured: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). These are both types of lipids. The study shows that there was no significant difference in the observed levels of HDL and LDL between fasting and non-fasting tests. The issue lies with the fact that the testing of cholesterol is often done in conjunction with tests for other lipids, namely triglycerides. These can be affected by food, to the extent that your doctor might feel the need to recommend dietary/lifestyle changes if levels are outside the healthy range

[Mart25]

I've had both fasting and non-fasting cholesterol tests over the years. In my area (Berkshire) the blood analysis results that come back are slightly different : fasting tests give you total cholesterol, HDL and LDL; non-fasting tests give you total cholesterol, HDL and "non-HDL". I don't know why. Some GPs in my medical practice seem to like fasting tests, some like non-fasting tests. Again, I don't know why. Luckily I do know my targets for both types of test so it doesn't matter which type of test I have. Fasting overnight is no problem for me : I just make sure I don't eat or drink after 8pm and book the blood sample appointment for early morning. Then I have breakfast afterwards.

[MountainGoat52]

I always fast before my blood tests.... purely to avoid a repeat visit should someone then decide that I should have fasted. I always try to have my blood test early in the day, so I can then go home and get on with my day.

[Fred1954]

I had a telephone review for the many drugs we all take with some sub-contracted GP service who requested a blood test. The week after the practice receptionist phoned to book me a follow up call with the thow away line 'he'll be putting you on statins for your cholesterol ' (!) The call from yet another GP was much less prescriptive - yes my levels were a bit high, taking statins might help. We agreed that I would download the diet sheet and have a repeat but fasting blood test after 6 months. I gladly agreed to that.

[Pollypuss]

Well I can’t take statins anyway . As my blood test is in the afternoon I don’t think I had better starve in case I pass out with hunger. Although I could wake up in the night and eat half a tub of Benacol 😸😸😸

[Frantheman1958]

I was told when I was diagnosed with diabetes 10 years ago, not to eat any food in the morning until my blood test. That I could not eat anything from the time I got up in the morning until after my bloods were taken at 11am. From last year I was told I can have some breakfast before giving blood. Being diabetic it it is best to have food before you go to work and not to have a Hypoglycemic episode. 10 years ago I had to buy my own blood testing kit. 4 years ago I got one free.It took me 5 years to get onto a diabetic course but it was worth it to find out what is good for you and what is bad. It was held by some very knowledgeable nurses. My doctors surgery kept forgetting to put my name forward for the course.

[Qualipop]

I've never had to starve before a cholesterol test