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...
8 replies. Fasting is not required if you are just taking an A1c. However, my doctor does all of my lipid panel at the same time so I fast a min of 12 hours before my labs. Right Gabby, I've never had to fast for the A1C. Usually I do however so that when I get the results I can double check against my meter for that day and see how it is running.