A cholesterol test is a part of physical examination to test whether you have risk of diseases such as high blood pressure or heart diseases. An healthy person has a cholesterol level below 200 mg/dl. The foods that you eat have a direct impact on the cholesterol levels of the blood, atleast for the short term. Thus it is a must that you need to fast before a cholesterol test. In this article, we shall give you a few instructions on how to fast before the test.
Instructions that may help you before taking to a cholesterol test:
Instruction 1: Talk to the doctor
Discuss all the health conditions that you have had or having with your doctor before taking to the test. If you have any health problems that may aggravate by fasting then please take proper instructions from the doctor. In some cases, where the disease have more weightage, it is possible to have a cholesterol test without fasting. The results are calibrated later.
Instruction 2: About medications
Before taking to the test inform your doctor about all the medications that you are using or you might have used before. Some medications may affect the results of the cholesterol levels of the blood. If you inform the doctor, you might be asked to stop medications a day or two before the test. But do not skip the medications unless it is advised by the doctor.
Instruction 3: How long you shall fast
You need to stop eating atleast 12 hours before the test. You can fast for more time, but atleast 12 hours is compulsory. You can drink water in this 12 hours but see that it is only clear water, not juice or semisolid food.
Instruction 4: Appointment Time
As far as possible take doctor’s appointment in the morning hours. Naturally… at night you will be sleeping and the first work in the morning will be giving blood for the test. So it will be easy to return to work.
Instruction 5: What to Avoid
It is best to avoid coffee, tea and other beverages during the fasting period. These liquids can throw off the cholesterol levels in the blood. You can ask doctor whether you can have black coffee before the test as it does not contain any sugar or creamer in it.
Instruction 6: Breaking the Fast
Break the fast in a relaxing mood. Take breakfast or lunch before returning to the work. Make sure that you take a balanced, healthy diet hereafter to be safe from heart diseases.
