What factors may interfere with cholesterol test results?
Many factors can affect the results of a cholesterol test, including alcohol use or recent illness. It will also be difficult to obtain an accurate triglyceride count if the patient fails to stop eating and drinking for the required period of time before testing (usually six to 12 hours). Patients should follow their physician’s restrictions on diet, exercise and medication use prior to the test. They also need to be sure that their physician knows of all prescription and over-the-counter medications that they are taking, because some substances can affect the accuracy of test results.
