I got off work today at 0700, and went to breakfast at a diner, after which I kept a 0815 cardiologist appointment. It went well, and the doc closed it out by ordering a CBC panel and a lipid panel and sending me to the onsite lab for a blood draw. Turns out that, contrary to the doc’s assurances, the lipid panel does require a fasting period. My prior experience has had me complying by refraining from eating after midnight, but my work hours are 2230 to 0700, and my habit is to have lunch at 0230.
So, to any physicians on the board, what length of fast do you consider absolutely necessary? The phlebotomist shows up at 0800, so that’s the earliest that the blood draw could happen, and I usually finish eating by 0245. I don’t know if 5.25 hours of fasting is sufficient.
So should I skip lunch? Eat lunch and arrive at the lab around noon instead of 0800? I’d be grateful for some guidance.
I’ve never heard of a fasting lipid panel; the only commonly ordered fasting lab, as far as I know, is a blood glucose.
If the physician who ordered the test is fine with it not being fasting, I would be fine with it, too. Request the phlebotomist to note that it is a non-fasting sample.
mmm
ETA: Wouldn’t hurt to call the ordering physician’s office and double-check that they are ok with it.
Sooooo, I was possibly misinformed by the woman at the checkout window? Reassuring as far as my lunch break is concerned; perhaps less so with respect to the knowledge level the facility expects of their support staff (those who interact with patients, anyway).
My understanding of the current standards is that fasting isn’t necessary for a lipid panel, unless you’re concerned specifically about high triglycerides. It’s possible the person at the desk just assumes fasting is needed for all blood tests.
Exactly. It impacts the triglycerides number but LDL and HDL are the stars for most. Better to get it done. FWIW I think (not sure) that 6 hours is fast enough for most fasting labs.
In most cases, you need to fast for 10 to 12 hours before your lipid panel blood test. Fasting means not eating or drinking anything except water. In some cases, getting a lipid panel test without fasting is possible.
It’s important to ask your healthcare provider in advance about whether you need to fast before the test.
I would recommend double-checking directly with your doctor.
The lab always asks me if I am fasting regardless of the test so they can check the yes or no box. Just because they ask, doesn’t necessarily mean fasting is required.
Current recommendations are to fast for at least 8 hours for a fasting glucose test, and 10-12 hours for a fasting triglyceride level. Or so says Harvard, the other med school on the east coast.
Years ago, failing to fast could throw off the old LDL cholesterol test results, but very few labs use that older method of assessing it.
I was always told, so I’ve been under the impression that you do need to fast for a lipid panel. I don’t recall if it’s supposed to be 8 or 12 hours. I have no medical degree, so I have no idea if this is true, or if the 8/12 hour thing really makes a difference,
I never fast for a lipid test, but my tests are usually conducted in the a.m. after eating what is basically the same breakfast. My concern is: are my numbers increasing, decreasing, or staying the same. This determines how I handle my future diet.