A lipid panel measures cholesterol and other fats in your blood. A normal lipid panel includes four main results: total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein. Together, these give your doctor a snapshot of your blood’s fat content, which can help them predict the likelihood of your arteries clogging and eventually causing heart disease.
Doctors often tell their patients that fasting for blood work is necessary without explaining in detail what “fasting” means. You may wonder how long you need to fast, whether you can drink water, if you can keep taking medications, and which tests require which restrictions.
Different types of blood tests are administered for different reasons. Your doctor may order a blood test to diagnose suspected diseases, test organ function, assess risk factors, or test the effectiveness of medications. Blood tests are a common routine that most new patients and those returning for a checkup are ordered to undergo.