For most people having a routine lipid (cholesterol) profile, fasting is no longer required: the 2026 US dyslipidemia guideline accepts either a fasting or nonfasting sample. That does not apply to every blood test, and some lipid results or medical circumstances still call for a fasting test. The headline’s “study reveals” framing also needs qualification: the evidence identified here is established guidance, not a newly identified study matching that claim.
What the latest US guideline says about fasting for a lipid profile
The 2026 dyslipidemia guideline led by the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association recommends either a fasting or nonfasting standard lipid profile for adults and children when documenting baseline lipid levels, estimating cardiovascular risk, or guiding treatment. In other words, fasting is not the default requirement for most routine lipid testing.
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The recommendation concerns lipid profiles—tests that measure blood fats such as cholesterol and triglycerides. It is not a general instruction for blood work as a whole. Preparation depends on the tests ordered, so follow the instructions from your clinician or laboratory. 2026 ACC/AHA-led dyslipidemia guideline
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The 2026 US guideline identifies circumstances in which a fasting lipid profile is appropriate, including a nonfasting triglyceride result of at least 400 mg/dL (4.5 mmol/L). It also identifies certain people with a family history of dyslipidemia or premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and people with a suspected triglyceride-metabolism disorder. Your care team can decide whether a fasting repeat is appropriate for your result and circumstances. 2026 ACC/AHA-led dyslipidemia guideline
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An earlier European consensus used a different threshold and phrasing. The 2016 joint statement from the European Atherosclerosis Society and European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine said fasting sampling may be considered when nonfasting triglycerides exceed 5 mmol/L (440 mg/dL). These are separate recommendations from different bodies and years; they should not be combined into one universal cutoff. 2016 EAS/EFLM consensus statement
Why nonfasting lipid results can be useful
The EAS/EFLM consensus recommended routine nonfasting samples for lipid profiles. Its evidence review reported that, on average, measurements taken 1–6 hours after habitual meals showed a triglyceride increase of 0.3 mmol/L (26 mg/dL), while total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol each changed by −0.2 mmol/L (8 mg/dL). These are mean changes reported by the consensus, not a prediction of how an individual’s results will respond after eating. 2016 EAS/EFLM consensus statement
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That evidence helps explain why routine fasting is not necessary for many lipid assessments: clinicians can often use a nonfasting profile for baseline evaluation and risk assessment. A clinician may still request fasting testing when a result or personal history makes it useful.
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No. The evidence and recommendations discussed here address lipid profiles, not every test that may be collected in the same blood draw. The sources cited do not set out a complete preparation guide for other tests. If your appointment instructions say to fast, or you are unsure which tests were ordered, check with the clinician or laboratory rather than changing your preparation based on general advice.
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Was there a new study behind the headline?
The evidence identified for this topic does not establish a newly published study matching the headline. The supportable story is a shift in professional guidance: the 2016 EAS/EFLM consensus endorsed routine nonfasting lipid profiles, and the 2026 US guideline now accepts fasting or nonfasting standard profiles for baseline assessment. A 2014 review provides historical context for the discussion, but it is not the source of those current recommendations. 2016 EAS/EFLM consensus statement · 2026 ACC/AHA-led dyslipidemia guideline · 2014 Nature Reviews Cardiology review
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