Is't necessary for Blood Test during empty stomach in the morning? - #10144

If only total cholesterol, HDL, LDL are being checked: Non-fasting blood test is acceptable You may go for testing 2–3 hours after a light breakfast (preferably low-fat)

If Triglycerides are to be measured: Fasting for 8–10 hours is necessary Water is allowed during fasting

If doctor have advised then obviously you should be fasting.

Hello dear Please be aware See on taking break fast there would be definitely an error in your lab tests Hence for clear cut accuracy especially for lipid profile,stomach emptyness is mandatory Regards

Thank you for sharing that—this is a very reasonable question, especially considering your age and daily routine.

### Why the Doctor Asked for a Fasting Blood Test:

When testing for cholesterol levels (especially LDL – “bad” cholesterol), doctors often order a fasting lipid panel. This is because:

* Eating can affect blood fat levels, especially triglycerides. * Fasting (typically 8–12 hours) gives a clearer picture of your true cholesterol levels. * Results are more accurate and comparable to standard ranges.

So yes, in many cases, a fasting blood test is medically necessary for accurate results.

### Why It Matters at Age 80:

* At your age, over-treatment or unnecessary treatment of mild cholesterol issues is often avoided unless you have other risk factors (like heart disease, diabetes, or stroke). * However, if your doctor is trying to monitor a known condition or make treatment decisions, this test might still be important. * If your cholesterol has never been tested, this might be a baseline check.

### Your Concern: “It’s not possible for me”

That’s totally fair. If you’re used to eating at 7:30 a.m., fasting until a later morning appointment may feel uncomfortable or risky.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Ask for an early appointment (e.g., 7:00–8:00 a.m.) — so you can eat right after the test. 2. Discuss with your doctor:

* Can a non-fasting test be acceptable in your case? For some older adults, recent guidelines do allow non-fasting cholesterol tests, especially if:

 * You're not on medications like statins.
 * You don’t have diabetes or high triglycerides.

3. Ask what decisions they’re planning to make based on the results — if the test isn’t likely to change your treatment, it may not be urgent.

### Summary

* Yes, fasting is often necessary for an accurate cholesterol test. * But at age 80, if the results won’t change anything important, or if it’s too burdensome, you can discuss alternatives. * Always balance medical recommendations with your comfort and quality of life — and your doctor should support that discussion.