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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Effect Of Dehydration And Full Cream On Cholesterol Level?

I had a Cholestrol test 2/3 years ago and it was 3.2 (without fasting). I went for a routine fitness medical demanded by my employer and now my cholestrol test came back and it is high (8.1) I fasted for 12 hours before the test, but I also did not drink anything for about 14 hours (not even water) - I know now that this was a mistake, but I thought fasting meant no eating or drinking anything. The meal I had was not at normal meal time, with the result that I ate bread with lots offull cream cheese, which I thought would tide me over! At the time of my medical, my blood pressure was very low - which the doctor said could partly be due to being de-hydrated. My question is: how much could being dehydration and having lots of full cream cheece have affected the Cholestrol result?
Mon, 13 Mar 2017
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Dietitian & Nutritionist,  's  Response
Hi there! No, you are to hydrate yourself prior to a fasting (8 hours) lab exam as dehydration can cause false values including an elevation of lipids. Cream will also elevate lipids.

If you were my patient I would like to see current values when you are hydrated to give a more accurate idea of your labs including electrolytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, BUN, albumin, which are all affected by dehydration.

You know, these tests are drawn to protect your heart. If you were my client I would want to know your true risk so appropriate treatment can be initiated and would recommend that you repeat the test per your instructions. It does not seem like the situation you describe would elevate your cholesterol to an 8.1.

Good luck! Kathy J. Shattler, MS,RDN
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What Is The Effect Of Dehydration And Full Cream On Cholesterol Level?

Hi there! No, you are to hydrate yourself prior to a fasting (8 hours) lab exam as dehydration can cause false values including an elevation of lipids. Cream will also elevate lipids. If you were my patient I would like to see current values when you are hydrated to give a more accurate idea of your labs including electrolytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, BUN, albumin, which are all affected by dehydration. You know, these tests are drawn to protect your heart. If you were my client I would want to know your true risk so appropriate treatment can be initiated and would recommend that you repeat the test per your instructions. It does not seem like the situation you describe would elevate your cholesterol to an 8.1. Good luck! Kathy J. Shattler, MS,RDN