For most people, fasting might not be necessary before cholesterol tests, a
new study suggests. These blood tests usually measure 4 things: LDL ("bad
cholesterol"), HDL ("good cholesterol"), total cholesterol and triglycerides.
The standard practice is to fast (avoid eating and drinking) for at least 8
hours before the test. The new study looked at laboratory data for more than
200,000 people who had these tests done. Some people had fasted before the
tests. Others had eaten recently. Researchers found that levels of total and HDL
cholesterol varied only about 2% based on whether a person fasted or not. LDL
levels varied less than 10%. Triglycerides varied the most, but still less than
20%. The journal Archives of Internal Medicine published the study. A commentary
published in the journal said the results show that doctors may be able to use
non-fasting tests for many patients. HealthDay News and Reuters Health news
service wrote about the study.
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Triglycerides are a type of fat in the bloodstream and fat tissue. Too much of this type of fat can contribute to the hardening and narrowing of your arteries. This puts you at risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Diseases such as diabetes, obesity, kidney failure or alcoholism can cause high triglycerides. Often, high triglycerides occur along with high levels of cholesterol, another type of fat.
Triglycerides are measured along with cholesterol as part of a blood test. Normal triglyceride levels are below 150. Levels above 200 are high. If your triglyceride level is high, you can lower it by
- Getting medical treatment for the problem causing the high triglycerides
- Following a healthy diet low in sugars and carbohydrates
- Exercising regularly
- Taking cholesterol-lowering medicines
The journal Archives of Internal Medicine : http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/journal.aspx
