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...
Best Answer: You need to fast about 12-14 hours before having the lipid panel drawn and about 8 hours before having the glucose (CMP) drawn. So, don't eat or drink anything (except water) after 7P if you're going to have your blood drawn in the morning. With the lipid panel you should fast from 7 PM the night before.