how long do i have to fast for a lipid panel
Be aware that this study cannot determine the effect that removal of a fasting requirement would have on treatment decisions and treatment benefit. Requiring patients to fast for 8 to 12 hours before a lipid panel blood draw is common practice, but fasting adds no clinical value and is an unnecessary burden on patients, researchers said.
According to Quest Diagnostics, a lipid or glucose tolerance test requires eight hours of fasting. Health care providers may have other recommendations, depending on the type of test. Fasting means consuming no food or beverages, except water, for several hours, explains Quest Diagnostics. Fasting is often required before blood tests because nutrients in food and drink can absorb in the bloodstream, affecting the test results. Not fasting before such tests may yield inaccurate results. It is advisable to continue taking regular medications unless otherwise instructed by the health care provider.