Cholesterol is not all bad, despite its reputation. It is necessary to build cells and produce hormones, but when levels are too high, it can increase your risk for heart disease. High cholesterol is symptomless. Cholesterol screening is necessary to determine your cholesterol level. This test requires fasting to ensure accurate results; however, not fasting serves a purpose as well.
The Cholesterol Test
Cholesterol testing, better known as a lipid profile, measures your total cholesterol, LDL and HDL levels, as well as your triglycerides. Your doctor advises a 9 to 12 hour fast to ensure your body has processed all food from your system so they will not affect the results of your test. Harvard Medical School explains that after eating, your triglycerides increase significantly, which affects the equation your doctor uses to measure your total, LDL and HDL cholesterol. Fasting gives your triglycerides time to return to their average levels.
Significance of Non-Fasting Levels
Non-fasting cholesterol levels tell your doctor what ranges are healthy, borderline high, high and very high. He can compare your test results to the non-fasting levels, and determine your risk of developing heart disease. Additionally, if your triglyceride levels are unusually high -- between 200 and 500 mg/dL -- your doctor may want to know your non-fasting HDL level to guide his decision regarding treatment, according to Harvard Medical School. High triglyceride levels usually accompany low HDL levels.
The NCEP
The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute developed the National Cholesterol Education Program, or NCEP, in 1985 to increase public awareness about the dangers of high cholesterol. The program has many partners to help achieve its goals, one of which being the Laboratory Standardization Panel. The LSP sets the guidelines for laboratory measurements and the reporting of blood cholesterol tests.
Non-Fasting Levels
When undergoing treatment for high cholesterol -- whether you are implementing dietary changes or taking cholesterol-lowering medication -- keep your eye on the healthy range for each individual cholesterol type. A healthy non-fasting level for your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dL or less. Aim for 129 mg/dL or lower for your LDL, or bad cholesterol. Triglycerides should be 150 mg/dL or below, and your HDL, or good cholesterol, should be 60 mg/dL or higher, according to the American Heart Association. Your HDL is the only cholesterol type that needs to be high to reduce your risk of heart disease.
