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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Diabetes / April 2006Fasting for blood work
I am having my 3 month follow-up blood work done tomorrow.. I know I have to fast, however, I can't remember HOW LONG. 12 hours? > I am having my 3 month follow-up blood work done tomorrow.. > I know I have to fast, however, I can't remember HOW LONG. 12 hours? If you need to fast, basic rule of thumb, nothing but water after midnight. Only for surgery do you need to also avoid water. Dave > I am having my 3 month follow-up blood work done tomorrow.. > I know I have to fast, however, I can't remember HOW LONG. 12 hours? 12-14 hours if you're having lipids done. Susan You do not specify the name of your blood work? If you are going for an Fasting glucose test you have to be fasting for 13 hours. Water intake after midnight is tolerated and medications should be taken after the blood work. For years the above test was the only way to go. Now more and more Doctors are asking for the non- fasting A1C test (also called H-b-A-one-c) is a simple lab test that shows the average amount of sugar (also called glucose) that has been in a person’s blood over the last 3 months. Extract from the Diabetic Teaching Center. Sugar in the bloodstream can become attached to the in (the part of the cell that carries oxygen) in red blood cells. This process is called glycosylation (pronounced gli-kos-a-lay’-shen). Once the sugar is attached, it stays there for the life of the red blood cell, which is about 120 days. The higher the level of blood sugar, the more sugar attaches to red blood cells. The A1C test measures the amount of sugar sticking to the red blood cells. Results are given in percentages. >I am having my 3 month follow-up blood work done tomorrow.. > I know I have to fast, however, I can't remember HOW LONG. 12 hours? > I am having my 3 month follow-up blood work done tomorrow.. > I know I have to fast, however, I can't remember HOW LONG. 12 hours? For cholesterol, yes, a minimum of 12 hours. Priscilla Sorry about that... testing to see progress in the following areas: Cholesterol, Fasting glucose, and A1C Thank you all for your response. I'm a bit nervous about the 12 hour fast. What do I do if my bg gets too low? :I am having my 3 month follow-up blood work done tomorrow.. : I know I have to fast, however, I can't remember HOW LONG. 12 hours? I detest fasting with a passion. Usually I wake up around 05:30 am and do not take insulin or medications. I get to the Blood Clinic around 06:30 am and by about 07:30 - 08:00 am all the blood work is completed. Immediately after the nurse brings me a tall glass of sweet orange juice. Then I take my medications (tablets) and go for breakfast. When I get home I check my blood sugar and inject insulin accordingly. It is easy said but in reality I am always apprehensive to have low sugar and carry dextrose tablets just in case. > Sorry about that... testing to see progress in the following areas: > Cholesterol, Fasting glucose, and A1C [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > :I am having my 3 month follow-up blood work done tomorrow.. > : I know I have to fast, however, I can't remember HOW LONG. 12 hours? > Sorry about that... testing to see progress in the following areas: > Cholesterol, Fasting glucose, and A1C [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > :I am having my 3 month follow-up blood work done tomorrow.. > : I know I have to fast, however, I can't remember HOW LONG. 12 hours? If you're doing a cholesterol test, it should be fasting. Fasting blood work is usually done first thing in the morning. In your place, I would fast for at least 8 hours prior to your appointment, water is ok. If you get low BG, take only glucose tabs, they would be least likely to interfere with your cholesterol test but would interfere with your fasting glucose test. Next time, ask your doctor if fasting is necessary. Good luck on your labs. Sarah > > Sorry about that... testing to see progress in the following areas: > > Cholesterol, Fasting glucose, and A1C [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Next time, ask your doctor if fasting is necessary. Good luck on your labs. For cholesterol fasting is required -- at least 12 hours. Priscilla >For cholesterol fasting is required -- at least 12 hours. >Priscilla Does anyone know just how far off the results get skewed by not fasting? I donate blood regularly, and quite often afterwards they mail me the results of a free cholesterol test that they performed. But of course, to donate blood you are required NOT to be fasting - you have to have eaten recently or you can't donate. I don't think they would bother with Cholesterol Tests under those circumstances if they were worthless - but if one knew that the results would typically be, say, X% higher than a fasting test it would be easier to relate to the results. Does anyone know just how far off the results get skewed by not fasting? I do not have any statistic on this subject. However, one time, I was in for blood work for Cholesterol and when asked by the nurse if I had being fasting I replied I just had a little cup of coffee with sugar an hour ago. Her face turned red and she stated that I had to go back home and make another appointment. After telling her that I had to take some liquid with sugar to avoid a low sugar reaction she unwillingly wrote a note on my slip and informed me to let my Doctor knows of this incident. Later when I saw the doctor he informed me that my cholesterol was fine but it would have been better if I had not taken any liquid with sugar prior to given blood for the test. What I deducted from this is if you have lots of latitude in you cholesterol level, you might be fine? On the other hand, if you are on the borderline it might not work in your favor. Therefore, the next time, I followed the rule of fasting and had nothing prior to blood intake. >>For cholesterol fasting is required -- at least 12 hours. >>Priscilla [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > results would typically be, say, X% higher than a fasting test it > would be easier to relate to the results. > Sorry about that... testing to see progress in the following areas: > Cholesterol, Fasting glucose, and A1C [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > :I am having my 3 month follow-up blood work done tomorrow.. > : I know I have to fast, however, I can't remember HOW LONG. 12 hours? treat the low bg and consider doing the test the next day. I always make sure I have plenty of time between my lab work and my dr's appt in case I wake up low that day. dave |
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