No… but, occasionally yes.
A study of over 209,000 cholesterol labs found that if we are only looking at total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol, that patients do NOT need to fast.
The triglycerides (another part of the cholesterol/lipid panel) will be elevated by less than 20% if taken nonfasting compared to fasting.
So, this means, that unless I am concerned about high triglycerides, the patient can have lab drawn conveniently during an office appointment regardless of timing of last meal.
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About drlesliegreenberg
I have been practicing as a family physician for over 20 years--as both an educator of physicians and clinician. From infancy to the elderly, I perform obstetrics and general medicine. I love my career and am passionate about my field of knowledge and my patients.
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The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider.
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