Tuesday, July 10, 2007
With respect to all these measurements, however, we must be very careful. The values that I am discussing must be taken after fasting on an empty stomach, at least 8 and preferably 12 hours after your last meal. If the blood was not taken this way, the numbers will be affected (especially if you had a high carbohydrate meal--come in with Dunkin Donuts on your breath and you will pay the consequences). In addition, alcohol intake affects the triglyceride levels. So if you are planning to recheck your blood levels, hold off on the alcohol for 2 to 3 days prior to the blood test.
