In essence, cholesterol will spike up during fasting. The body uses a “boat” that includes cholesterol to transport fats to your cells for energy when you aren’t eating. If you are extended fasting, more fats will be released to keep you going. More fats means more boats. This is why they tell you to fast for “12 hours” no more no less before a blood test.
The only thing I might consider is decreasing the coffee intake the day before and getting your labs drawn before you had any coffee. Cafistrol (sp?) is an oil in coffee that helps transport caffeine across the blood brain barrier but it does increase LDL p and total cholesterol. I suspect those extremely susceptible might notice a shift in their lipoproteins. If you don’t understand this stuff you might find cholesterol clarity by jimmy Moore helpful. It’s a resource I think every patient should have. Remember 200-250 seems to be the sweet spot for cholesterol.
This is what I saw:
- Cholesterol went insane. Both total and LDL went up a lot.
- WBCs, RBCs, and Platlets dropped. RBC and Platelets not by a lot.
- If you get fasting blood work your glucose probably will be low. 85 or under.
I have found the Cholesterol can normalize within a week. I am not sure about the other tests.
FYI my doctor seems unaware of the 12 hour fasting rule. She has never told me that. But clearly fasting can effect it.
*not an expert here, but returns on fasting drop at one point. some suggest 5 days should be the standard, metabolism might drop in a permanent manner. after all, fasting is a skill you develop, regardless of your objectives, a slow and steady consistent approach is better.