The lipid panel consists of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. It is best to fast during the lipid panel to avoid affecting the results of the test. Although total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol can be checked on a non-fasting basis, the four lipid tests are usually done in sets, so it is recommended that blood be collected early in the morning on an empty stomach. In addition, when looking at the lipid report, you should also consider whether the patient is affected by certain medications, such as lipid-lowering drugs, thiazide diuretics, immunosuppressants, certain antihypertensive drugs, hypoglycemic drugs, and other hormones.