Study Backs Non-Fasting Cholesterol Tests

For most people, fasting might not be necessary before cholesterol tests, a new study suggests. These blood tests usually measure 4 things: LDL (“bad cholesterol”), HDL (“good cholesterol”), total cholesterol and triglycerides. The standard practice is to fast (avoid eating and drinking) for at least 8 hours before the test. The new study looked at laboratory data for more than 200,000 people who had these tests done. Some people had fasted before the tests. Others had eaten recently. Researchers found that levels of total and HDL cholesterol varied only about 2% based on whether a person fasted or not. LDL levels varied less than 10%. Triglycerides varied the most, but still less than 20%. The journal Archives of Internal Medicine published the study. A commentary published in the journal said the results show that doctors may be able to use non-fasting tests for many patients.