If you have cholesterol issues and you want to take a test, you have to take some necessary precautions. It will help you get the most accurate and reliable results. 

Whether your doctor ordered it as part of a routine check-up or to monitor a health condition, it's important to prepare the right way. The accuracy of your cholesterol test results can be affected by what you eat, drink, and do beforehand.

If you're wondering what you should avoid before a cholesterol test, you've come to the right place. Let's walk through what you shouldn't do before your test:

What Is a Cholesterol Test?

A cholesterol test, also called a lipid panel or lipid profile, measures the levels of different fats in your blood. It typically includes:

• Total cholesterol
• LDL (low-density lipoprotein) – the "bad" cholesterol
• HDL (high-density lipoprotein) – the "good" cholesterol
• Triglycerides – another type of fat in your blood

1. Avoid Eating 

One of the biggest questions people ask is: "Do I really need to fast before my cholesterol test?"

In many cases, yes—you do need to fast. Traditional cholesterol tests often require you to avoid eating or drinking anything (except water) for 9 to 12 hours before your blood is drawn.

Why? Because eating anything can temporarily raise your triglyceride levels and affect your LDL readings. That could lead to an inaccurate assessment of your heart health.

2. Avoid Coffee and Other Beverages 

If you are a coffee lover, you need to control your temptation for the day. "But black coffee doesn't have calories, right?" True, but it can still affect your test.

Black coffee, tea, and even sugar-free drinks can stimulate your digestive system and potentially interfere with the test. Caffeine may also slightly affect your triglyceride levels. So yes, even your beloved morning coffee should be skipped before a fasting cholesterol test. Stick to water until the test is done.

3. Avoid Alcohol

Had a drink the night before? That could mess with your results—especially your triglycerides. Alcohol can cause a temporary spike in triglyceride levels, and depending on your body's metabolism, the effect can last longer than you think.

It's best to avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before the test to be on the safe side. If you've had more than a casual drink recently, it's worth letting your doctor know.

4. Avoid Smoking

Smoking is a bad idea before the test for a lot of reasons. Smoking can affect your cholesterol levels and cause temporary changes in your blood vessels. It may even affect the HDL and LDL numbers in subtle ways. Even if you're not ready to quit smoking altogether, skip the cigarette until after your test.

5. Avoid Vigorous Exercise

Wait—isn't exercise supposed to be good for your heart? Absolutely. But right before a cholesterol test, especially if it's a fasting one, it's best to hold off on strenuous workouts.

Intense exercise can temporarily lower triglyceride levels and raise HDL levels, leading to results that don't reflect your usual numbers. To play it safe, avoid any vigorous workouts the day before and the morning of your test. Light walking or stretching is fine, but skip the gym until later.

6. Avoid High-Fat Meals the Day Before

Even if you're fasting the morning of the test, what you ate the night before can still matter. A greasy cheeseburger, large fries, or a big bowl of mac and cheese can cause your triglycerides to spike for hours afterward.

Try to eat a balanced, low-fat meal the evening before your test. Go for something like grilled chicken, vegetables, and whole grains. It'll give your body a more "typical" baseline, which makes the test results more useful for your doctor.

7. Avoid Stress 

High-stress levels have been linked to higher LDL and total cholesterol, possibly due to the hormones your body releases when it's under pressure.

Of course, you can't avoid all stress, especially if you're nervous about the test itself. But try to get a good night's sleep, breathe deeply, and arrive a few minutes early to your appointment so you're not rushed.

Conclusion 

By avoiding all these things, you can ensure accurate results. If you accidentally had a snack or forgot to fast, let your doctor know. It's better to reschedule the appointment.

However, there are some at-home lipid panel test kits available to do the test without visiting a lab in the comfort of your home. RxHomeTest is one of the most trusted brands in the US and Canada for various at-home testing kits that need a simple finger prick. Plus, the test includes free both-way shipping and HSA/FSA eligibility. All the samples are reviewed by certified physicians at CLIA labs. 

To order the at-home cholesterol test kit, visit their official site RxHomeTest.com.