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Fasting Blood Test

A fasting blood test is a blood sample taken from a person who has not eaten for 8 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).

Last Revised: September 20, 2012

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Jennifer Hone, MD - Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

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