Why does a patient have to be fasting for at least 12-14 hours prior to a blood draw for a lipid panel?
The calculation only compensates for the VLDL cholesterol when dividing the triglycerides by 5. If increased levels of chylomicrons are present, the triglycerides will be falsely elevated. If the triglycerides are elevated because the patient is non-fasting, the number added to HDL will be larger – resulting in a falsely low LDL value. You would be telling the patient they are healthier than they are. Chylomicrons are eliminated from the blood, if the patient if fasting for 12 – 14 hours. Does a patient have to be fasting for a Total cholesterol or HDL? No. It has been shown in the recent years that total cholesterol can range up and down 30mg/dL daily – unassociated with the fasting state. The daily variation shown is not greater than the variation from a recent diet. ANION GAP: Just as the body strives to maintain a 20:1 balance between bicarbonate and carbonic acid, the body tries to maintain electrolyte neutrality. The concentration of anions should equal the concentration of catio
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- Why does a patient have to be fasting for at least 12-14 hours prior to a blood draw for a lipid panel?
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