Crosswords1 min ago
Blood Test - How Long Should I Fast For?
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I'm due to have a fasting blood test at 9.30 tomorrow morning but how long should I fast for? I phoned my doctor's this morning and the receptionist told me I should have nothing to eat or drink (apart from water) after 8.00PM this evening, but a friend is adamant I should fast for 16 hours. My blood test, by the way, is in relation to my diabetes. I have had fasting blood tests before but my friend reckons this "16 hour fasting" is something that has only recently come out and replaced the unreliable 12 hour method (her words, not mine). Can anyone throw any light on this? I'd appreciate any help.
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No best answer has yet been selected by bravejordy. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.
For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.Thanks LazyGun, that means I can have another cuppa or two. ;) Seriously though, I would be more inclined to go with what the receptionist told me rather than some friend, but I just wanted to make sure. My friend claims it was her doctor who told about the 16 hour fasting, but in the light of what you wrote regarding the recommended fasting being between 8 - 16 hours, I'm thinking it's possible my friend may have got her wires crossed somewhere.
Thanks for all your replies.
jno: That was my first thought too, whether the fasting times vary depending on what you have.
lcg76: Your post brings me to another question: Should I take my meds while I'm fasting? The reason I ask is because most of my meds have to be taken either WITH or after food and I certainly wouldn't like to take them on an empty stomach.
naomi24: It wasn't actually my doctor's advice but the receptionist's, whom, I might add, has been known to be wrong before today hence the reason for posting my question here. :)
jno: That was my first thought too, whether the fasting times vary depending on what you have.
lcg76: Your post brings me to another question: Should I take my meds while I'm fasting? The reason I ask is because most of my meds have to be taken either WITH or after food and I certainly wouldn't like to take them on an empty stomach.
naomi24: It wasn't actually my doctor's advice but the receptionist's, whom, I might add, has been known to be wrong before today hence the reason for posting my question here. :)
Hi Sqad,
My meds are as follows:-
METFORMIN 500mg - TWO tablets TWICE a day
EPILIM 200mg - ONE tablet THREE times a day
RAMIPRIL 5mg - ONE capsule DAILY
RAMIPRIL 2.5mg - ONE capsule DAILY
LIPITOR 10mg - ONE tablet EVERY OTHER DAY
I did not miss a dose of my tablets yesterday, I simply took them a little earlier than usual so that they wouldn't collide with my fasting, which began at 8.00PM. I will, of course, be taking my morning tablets around 10.00AM, after the blood test, which is pretty much the normal time I'd take my morning meds anyway.
My meds are as follows:-
METFORMIN 500mg - TWO tablets TWICE a day
EPILIM 200mg - ONE tablet THREE times a day
RAMIPRIL 5mg - ONE capsule DAILY
RAMIPRIL 2.5mg - ONE capsule DAILY
LIPITOR 10mg - ONE tablet EVERY OTHER DAY
I did not miss a dose of my tablets yesterday, I simply took them a little earlier than usual so that they wouldn't collide with my fasting, which began at 8.00PM. I will, of course, be taking my morning tablets around 10.00AM, after the blood test, which is pretty much the normal time I'd take my morning meds anyway.
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