Should patients with hyperlipidemia stop taking medication before physical examination

Whether to discontinue medication for patients with hyperlipidemia before physical examination depends on the type of medication. Most lipid-lowering drugs do not require discontinuation, but some special examinations require adjustment of medication according to medical advice.

Long term statin lipid-lowering drugs such as atorvastatin calcium tablets and rosuvastatin calcium tablets usually do not require discontinuation. These drugs work by continuously inhibiting cholesterol synthesis, and sudden discontinuation may lead to lipid rebound. Maintaining regular medication before physical examination helps doctors accurately evaluate the long-term treatment effect. If the examination items include liver function or creatine kinase testing, drugs may have a slight impact on the results, but usually do not interfere with clinical judgment.

The exceptions that require temporary discontinuation of medication mainly involve two types of tests: first, suspending beta drugs such as fenofibrate capsules before triglyceride testing, as they may significantly reduce triglyceride levels in the short term and mask the true metabolic status; Second, some hospitals will suggest to stop using metformin antidiabetic drugs (patients with diabetes) in advance to prevent the risk of contrast nephropathy when carrying out contrast agent examination such as enhanced CT. Such adjustments must strictly follow the specialized medical advice of the inspection agency. Before the physical examination, one should proactively explain their medication history to the doctor, including the types and doses of lipid-lowering drugs. Maintain an empty stomach for 10-12 hours before drawing blood, avoid drinking alcohol and vigorous exercise. If medication needs to be adjusted, it should be done gradually under professional guidance to avoid blood lipid fluctuations. Regular monitoring of blood lipid indicators can better reflect the true situation than single physical examination data.