Farewell to the fasting cholesterol test?

At a recent meeting I offered a visitor lunch which she declined with obvious regret. She was hungry, and it was noon. But she was headed to her annual physical, and eating beforehand would mean returning another morning for a fasting cholesterol level. Most of us can relate to her annoyance, but thankfully this may soon be a thing of the past. Doctors have traditionally ordered cholesterol tests to be drawn after an overnight fast. But this requirement causes a significant burden on both sides of the health care equation. Most people hate to fast. Skipping meals is particularly difficult for active people, people with diabetes, and children. Yet coming back for another visit is even more of a hassle, so many people just don’t bother. And it has been a drain for doctors, too, resulting in repeat test orders, phone calls, and patient visits. International guidelines published last month in the European Heart Journal became the latest official recommendation against routine fasting for cholesterol tests. These guidelines defend what many health care systems and many doctors (including me) have been practicing for several years already. They should be met with universal acceptance, even if takes a while. There are several scientific reasons supporting this change. The history behind fasting cholesterol tests When doctors test for cholesterol, we almost always order a group of tests called a lipid panel (lipids are fat-containing molecules). This panel typically includes four s...
Source: New Harvard Health Information - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Heart Health Prevention Screening Tests and procedures Source Type: news