When the physician is completing your regular physical, then you may need to provide a blood sample to offer a perspective of your overall health. The physician may prefer to have your blood samples drawn after you have been fasting or not eating or drinking anything other than water for 9 to 12 hours. In general, the instructions before your blood test may ask you to avoid eating or drinking after midnight the night before your appointment. Without recent foods or drinks to affect the levels in your blood, the physician will be able to get a clearer image of your body’s current functioning and any warnings of more serious conditions or problems.
Total Cholesterol (TC)
This number is directly linked to your risk of heart disease and the health of your blood vessels. If you are 20 years old or younger, your goal value is between 75 and 169 mg/dL. If you are 21 or older, your goal value is between 100 and 199 mg/dL.
This test can be measured at any time without fasting but if it is included in a total lipid profile, it does require a 12 hour fast. In order to ensure accuracy, wait 2 months after a heart attack, surgery, infection, injury, or pregnancy.
High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
This is the healthy cholesterol and high levels indicate a reduced risk or heart disease and strong health of your blood vessels. You want to have a high level of this cholesterol. Your goal value of high density lipoproteins is 40 mg/dL or higher.
This test can be measured at any time without fasting but if it is included in a total lipid profile, it does require a 12 hour fast. In order to ensure accuracy, wait 2 months after a heart attack, surgery, infection, injury, or pregnancy.
Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
This is the unhealthy cholesterol and high levels indicate a risk of heart disease and poor health of your blood vessels. Most cholesterol lowering medications target low density lipoproteins to reduce their levels. If you have already been diagnosed with heart disease or you have a high risk for heart disease, your goal level is 70 mg/dL or lower. If you have more than one risk factor for heart disease, then your goal level is 100 mg/dL or lower. If you have a low risk for heart disease, then your goal level is 130 mg/dL or lower.
This test can be measured after a 12 hour fast. In order to ensure accuracy, wait 2 months after a heart attack, surgery, infection, injury, or pregnancy.
Triglycerides (TG)
For people with diabetes or who are obese, triglyceride levels are higher than compared to people without those conditions. These levels increase after eating simple sugars and drinking alcohol. When your triglyceride levels are high, then you are at higher risk for heart disease and unhealthy blood vessels. Your goal level is 150 mg/dL or less.
This test can be measured after a 12 hour fast. In order to ensure accuracy, wait 2 months after a heart attack, surgery, infection, injury, or pregnancy.