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...
Everyone age 20 years or more should have cholesterol measured at least once every 5 years. The best way to measure cholesterol is with a blood test called a lipid panel or lipid profile. You will need to fast (not eat) for 9 to 12 hours before your lipid panel.