How many hours do I need to fast before taking a blood test?

Thank you for your question. Fasting requirements depend on the labs being drawn. For basic lipid panels (cholesterol, triglycerides, etc.), I generally recommend my patients to fast for 9-12 hours. I highly recommend you consult with your prescribing physician regarding how long to fast prior to labs since he/she is ordering your labs and prescription. Take care and good luck.