High cholesterol is a major contributor to heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. Sadly, most Americans do not realize that they have this condition, as it has no symptoms. The only way to detect high cholesterol is through a blood test, known as lipid profile, that your doctor can order.
The Lipid Profile
Your doctor may order a lipid profile as part of a routine physical, or due to the number of risk factors you have for heart disease, according to Cholesterol Information Online. These include a family history of heart disease or high cholesterol, obesity, medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes and lack of physical activity. This test may be necessary if you currently have high cholesterol or have had a previous heart attack.
Importance of Fasting
MayoClinic.com explains that fasting for nine to 12 hours prior to your lipid profile is necessary to produce accurate results. This means nothing to eat or drink during this time except for water. When you eat or drink something, it takes hours for your body to break it down and process it. As it breaks down, any fat in the items you consume travel through your blood. The purpose of the lipid profile is to detect the amount of fat in your body, but if you eat too close to test time, the results will not accurately reflect your blood makeup, and will not provide your doctor with the answers he needs.
The Effects of Medications
A number of medications can produce false results as well. These include birth control pills, beta-blockers, phenytoin, corticosteroids, anabolic steroids, thiazide diaretics and vitamin D. MayoClinic suggests giving your doctor a list of all medications and supplements you take. If he feels any may interfere with your test results, he will tell you what to discontinue prior to the test, and how many days before you need to do so.
Tips
The idea of fasting may make you want to cry, especially if you rely on that morning cup of java to open your eyes. Truth be told, it's not as bad as it seems. The test only takes a few moments, and then you can eat and drink as you please. Scheduling your blood draw as early in the day as possible helps. Bring along a thermos of your favorite morning beverage; orange juice, herbal tea or coffee. Place a snack in a baggie to munch on as soon as the exam is over and wash it down with the liquid your thermos holds.
