Blood Test

[sad old git]

Later next week I have an appointment to have a "fasting blood test". I had one in 2012 and never heard any more about it. I have been told that I should not eat or drink anything from midnight on prior to the test. My question is what does this test reveal and what difference would it make if I had a light drink and snack after midnight?

[Obiter]

I presume it's something to do with blood sugar. You should not eat anything but a drink of water,or even a cup of tea in the morning (provided no milk or sugar) makes no difference. I have had these a few times and the practice nurse confessed that it was easier to say no drink rather than say tea minus sugar/milk.

[Buenchico]

I agree with Obiter that it's almost certainly to do with blood sugar.

I had a free NHS health check on Wednesday (in a mobile unit outside Asda), where they tested the cholesterol level in my blood, but I was surprised that they didn't also test my blood sugar level. The woman doing the testing said that it would have been pointless to do so as the only meaningful test of blood sugar is one done after fasting.

[stuey]

I find her response strange, Chris, as a blood cholesterol test is normally considered to be a "fasting" one.

[Buenchico]

I can't see why, Stuey, because cholesterol takes a long time to build up in blood.

Anyway, despite almost living on dairy products (and booze!), my cholesterol level is always in the very lowest category, so I'm not really worried anyway. (I'll conveniently forget my blood pressure results at this point!)

[stuey]

Even your own NHS classifies it as a "fasting" one; however, I'm sort of like you: don't take what they say too seriously. I always have a cup of tea with milk and sugar before going for one! Goodnight, Chris.

[Old_Geezer]

The difference is that the results would be invalid, waste of time you taking the test, and if you told them what you had done they'd cancel and tell you to rebook.

[Bathsheba]

I've always been told to fast for 10hrs...plain water only.

Baths
x x

[Sqad]

\\\\ I had one in 2012 and never heard any more about it.\\\

That is disgusting.

Blood tests now involve a whole host of parameters...lipid profile. blood sugars etc.....some doe not involve fasting, but others do.
So to save time........fast nothing to eat or drink after midnight.

[Bathsheba]

Sqad...depends what time he's having the test though, Shirley?
As long as it's been 10hrs, he can have something to eat at 2am, then go for test at lunchtime....that's what I usually do.
x
x

[Old_Geezer]

In my experience that's normal. I assume no issue was found or they would have made an effort, otherwise the patient has to chase the doc to learn the result. I tend to think it's useful to the GP as if the patient doesn't chase then the doc doesn't have to work on the issue any more finding out what is really causing the patient's symptoms.

[Sqad]

O_G...I disagree entirely. A normal result is just as important to the patient as an abnormal result.If you have not been informed, then one is ASSUMING that the result has been seen by the medical staff.
That is not good enough....assumptions should not be a part of medical care......a timebomb ready to explode.

[Sqad]

Bathsheba......yes of course.

[Bathsheba]

I've always been told to phone surgery for results after 7-10 days, but if there's a problem, I hear from them within 2 days.

[Sqad]

Bathsheba...quite.

[Old_Geezer]

That's pretty much what I said. You have to contact them, or you don't hear any more.

[puternut]

My last surgery recommended 8 hours fasting - my current one asks for 14 hours!! minmal amount of plain water (just to take any meds) is acceptable.

[stuey]

I must admit I take blood tests with a grain of salt:)

[sad old git]

thank you for all your replies they are most helpfull. However no one has mentioned what effect alcohol would do to these tests as I would think it would be a significant factor.ie no drinks for 12 hours before the test. wondering?

[NehaSharma3093]

A fasting blood test is used to test for diabetes, it measures your glucose level. The doctor recommended you not to eat before the test for at least 8-10 hours prior to your test to measure your exact glucose level.
One of my friends is also affected by diabetes and he use to get his test from Redcliffe Labs.