Question on fasting for blood work

[Blueeyes101817]

I am going in for some blood work like i do every month, but this time they are ordering more tests and i need to fast for 12 hours for them.

Does this include water or just food? Im just trying to see if i can drink some water tomorrow as my appointment isnt til 115!

 

[chamonix]

Usually you are allowed water and black coffee. I just had to do this last week for a cholesterol test.

 

[pezheadmeg]

I was alwasy told just water when I go in for a work-up.

But what kind of doctor schedules a 12 hour fasting to take place at 1:15 in the afternoon? I would just stay up late and eat a large snack at 1 am to hold you over.

 

[Christine]

Water is fine. I can't believe they scheduled a fasting blood draw for 1:15 p.m. That's nuts.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Drink an 8 oz glass of water before the bloodtest. It makes it easier to take the blood.

 

[momof2minnies]

Don't you have any walk in labs in your area? We go first thing(8am)and the results go to our doc. That time is absurd!To answer your question you can have water,tea and coffee.No milk or sugar in either.

 

[Hannathy]

You are allowed water but stay away from the coffee. It does effect some tests like cholesterol. If you do have coffee make sure your Doctor knows.

 

[Honu]

Just water and definitely drink some right before the test. I do 2-3 fasting draws a month and I know coffee and tea are not permitted by my lab. They would make you come back another day.

I also have to deal with afternoon appointments and fasting a lot. I would call ask if they can call in your lab slip, so you can do it before.

I once had a nurse ask me if got up at 1-2 in the morning to eat something before the 12 hour cut off for surgery once. Who would do that?

 

[WooHoo2U]

My doctor always makes it a point to have the fasting blood work done at least a week before my appoinment, so he can have the results when he sees me. The lab opens at 7 A.M. to take the fasting blood tests, so you can go home and have breakfast before going to work! (they also only allow water, no other liquids)

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Do you have a Quest or Lab Corp near you? You don't need an appointment at either of these, during the week.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

I actually am going to a Quest--but i have to work and the only time i can go is on my lunch break--so apparently you can now schedule appointments online so i did it so i dont miss any more work than my break.

Im so glad i can drink water..didnt know how i would last all day!! i know its going to kill me at work becuase i usually eat with my class..the food will be tempting!!

thanks for the responses!

 

[Jpgirl]

Also NO Juices or sodas

 

[L107ANGEL]

I just wanted to say good luck!

 

[pumba]

I sometimes have the 12 or 14 hour fast and if I eat at five pm ....I am Starving by seven o clock the next morning....I get the shakes ...if I did this in the noontime .....I would be on someones floor.....
Good luck with your tests

 

[chamonix]

Just water and definitely drink some right before the test. I do 2-3 fasting draws a month and I know coffee and tea are not permitted by my lab. They would make you come back another day.

That's so interesting, my lab even gave me their written standard directions in writing that black coffee was fine. I guess it depends on the lab.

I definitely had some coffee just before I went in, but only a couple swallows, my appt was a "walk in whenever" thing and I was at the door when they opened, lol! (at 7am) Thankfully it was pretty easy to not eat anything after dinner and then sleep through the rest of my "fast".

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Thanks guys--appreciate al lthe good thoughts--hopefully its nothing! I was confused when they ordered more tests than normal, so i guess we'll find out!

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

12 hours without food?? wow! i would die! lol.


anyway, you're allowed to drink water.

 

[LadyyRedd]

Just a note - drink LOTS of water! It really helps your veins. If you don't, you will be dehydrated and they may have problems finding a suitable vein for the puncture. Believe me, I've BTDT! It stinks.

My fasting tests have also always been water only. I always start fasting at 7:30pm and go straight at lab opening the next morning.

Kimya

 

[Honu]

That's so interesting, my lab even gave me their written standard directions in writing that black coffee was fine. I guess it depends on the lab.

I definitely had some coffee just before I went in, but only a couple swallows, my appt was a "walk in whenever" thing and I was at the door when they opened, lol! (at 7am) Thankfully it was pretty easy to not eat anything after dinner and then sleep through the rest of my "fast".

It may depend on what they are testing for. Caffeine stimulates the adrenal glands and that will skew the results of many tests. No point in putting yourself through having to redo tests if you can avoid it.

Besides making the draw more difficult, a lack of fluid will also skew test results. So drink that water and get well hydrated before the test.

 

[GSDRescuer]

Drink plenty of water, no gum, no tic tacs.......