Fasting before blood work

[illini]

Hi! Does anyone know how long you are supposed to fast before getting blood work done? (BTW I am starving! )
Thanks

 

[jbthi]

I believe it is 12 hours.

June

 

[Christine]

Depends what you are having done (some don't require any fasting). Others are 8 hours but I think the docs always tell you 12 hours just to be safe.

 

[illini]

ok thanks for some reason I had 14 hours in my head. At this point though I am over 13 anyway so it is probably fine

 

[debknight]

We always recommend 14 hours for cholesterol testing.

 

[eclectics]

We always recommend 14 hours for cholesterol testing.

That's what my doctor likes for all my blood tests.

 

[Keli]

How much longer before your tests? I like to schedule my bloodwork first thing in the morning. Then I can eat dinner the night before (just no snacks later in the evening) and skip breakfast and I'm good to go.
I'm glad you really are fasting. So many people will say their fasting but will really be eating something or drinking stuff besides water and then their results are compromised. It makes no sense to have the test in the first place since the results aren't accurate.

 

[illini]

How much longer before your tests? I like to schedule my bloodwork first thing in the morning. Then I can eat dinner the night before (just no snacks later in the evening) and skip breakfast and I'm good to go.
I'm glad you really are fasting. So many people will say their fasting but will really be eating something or drinking stuff besides water and then their results are compromised. It makes no sense to have the test in the first place since the results aren't accurate.

I did get the test done all ready but I brushed my teeth beforehand. Was that ok?