For the study, researchers compared cholesterol testing results of 300,000 people from Denmark, Canada, and the U.S. In both the U.S. and Canada, fasting for eight hours before a test is required. In Denmark, however, it is not.
Patients who are scheduled for a lipid profile test should fast (except for water) for 12-14 hours before the blood sample is drawn. If the patient's cholesterol is to be fractionated, he or she also should avoid alcohol for 24 hours before the test. http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Ato...
NCEPIII (ATPIII) Once every 5 years for all people 20 years and older. Patients without CHD or equivalent, re-screen every 5 years unless cholesterol is borderline (>160 with 0-1 risk factors or >130 with 2+ risk factors) then re-screen in 1-2 years. Screen with fasting lipid panel (preferred) or total cholesterol and HDL. AAFP.