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Fasting blood test

A fasting blood test is a blood sample taken from a person who has not eaten for 9 to 12 hours. Usually, the blood sample is taken early in the morning.

Examples of blood tests that may be done after a period of fasting include fasting blood sugar (fasting plasma glucose) and lipid profile (cholesterol and triglycerides).

Author Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer Caroline S. Rhoads, MD
- Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Alan C. Dalkin, MD
- Endocrinology
Last Updated July 25, 2007

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: July 25, 2007
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