American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

After initiating statin therapy, a fasting lipid panel should be obtained within what timeframe?

1. 1 week

2. 1 to 3 months

3. 6 months

4. 12 months

The correct answer is: 1 to 3 months

After initiating statin therapy, obtaining a fasting lipid panel within 1 to 3 months is crucial for several reasons. This timeframe allows for the evaluation of the patient's response to the statin medication, ensuring that lipid levels are improving as expected. Statins function by lowering LDL cholesterol and can take several weeks to demonstrate their full effect on lipid levels, making the 1 to 3-month window an appropriate period for assessment. Additionally, this follow-up timeframe helps to identify any potential side effects, including elevations in liver enzymes or muscle-related symptoms, which can influence the decision to continue or adjust treatment. Monitoring within this interval aligns with clinical guidelines that recommend checking lipid levels to confirm that the therapeutic goals for cholesterol management are being met. Waiting longer than this timeframe, such as 6 months or 12 months, may delay the necessary adjustment to therapy if the expected lipid lowering is not achieved or if side effects occur. Thus, assessing lipid panels within 1 to 3 months after starting statin therapy is the recommended practice to ensure optimal patient management and cardiovascular risk reduction.