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Do you fast before your cholesterol tests? Both fasting and not fasting have pros and cons.

💫Eating before labwork can increase triglycerides, which are a storage form of energy you just consumed. Normally, triglyceride levels peak 3-4 hours after eating and clear from the bloodstream after 12 hours of fasting. Persistently high levels can signal metabolic issues like insulin resistance and pre-diabetes.

💫Elevated triglycerides can artificially lower your LDL cholesterol readings. In non-fasting tests, we rely on other markers like non-HDL and ApoB levels.

💫That being said, non-fasting tests have their own benefits. They can reflect real life since we're not fasting most of the day. Different triglyceride ranges are applied to fasted and non-fasted tests.

💫Non-fasting tests are also more convenient, especially for those prone to hypoglycemia.

For the best option for YOU, follow the recommendations of your clinician.

Heart palpitations are among the ‘vasomotor symptoms’ of peri/post menopause. However don’t automatically dismiss them.

📌any abnormal heart racing, fluttering or irregular heartbeat at any age warrants follow up with your medical team
📌palpitations accompanied by shortness of breath, feeling faint, chest pain or poor exercise tolerance will be investigated. Also, in women with strong personal or family history of heart disease
📌after other causes have been ruled out, palpitations associated with vasomotor symptoms in peri/post menopause are unlikely to be an immediate indication of heart issues however current data suggests women with vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats, overheating) in general are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease over time and will need to be regularly screened and advised on prevention strategies.
✅ to holistic care that considers diet, exercise, stress management, hormone therapies