For the study, researchers compared cholesterol testing results of 300,000 people from Denmark, Canada, and the U.S. In both the U.S. and Canada, fasting for eight hours before a test is required. In Denmark, however, it is not.
Patients who are scheduled for a lipid profile test should fast (except for water) for 12-14 hours before the blood sample is drawn. If the patient's cholesterol is to be fractionated, he or she also should avoid alcohol for 24 hours before the test. http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Ato...
Before you have any type of blood test at your healthcare providerâs office - including a lipid profile - you're usually told that you need to fast before taking the test. Current recommendations suggest that you refrain from eating anywhere between 8 and 12 hours before having your blood drawn for the cholesterol test.