Fasting Before a Blood Test: Drinking Coffee, Eating and More

Certain lineage tests require fast advance. If your healthcare supplier has instructed you to fast before your approaching screen, it means that you should not eat or drink anything ( besides water ) for the specified amount of time before having your blood draw .
Understanding why fast is significant and how to properly fast before a blood quiz can be helpful for eliminating pre-test anxiety and simplifying the testing process. Below, learn how to fast for a blood screen correctly to help make certain that your test results are accurate.

Why Is Fasting Required Before Blood Tests?

Fasting before a blood test helps improve the accuracy and dependability of the test. Accurate test results are a critical component of diagnosing versatile health conditions and monitoring the potency of treatment plans .
Your diet contains a scope of nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins. When you eat and drink normally, those nutrients are broken down and absorbed into your bloodstream. This can impact the levels of those substances in the blood and skew lab test results .
For model, certain methods of diabetes testing standard the patient ’ s service line blood boodle levels after a period of fasting. Eating immediately before the test will cause the patient ’ s blood sugar to spike, leading to an inaccurate test solution. The patient could be misdiagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes unless their repair recommends that they complete a moment test .

Which Blood Tests Require Fasting?

not all lab tests require fasting advance, but many of the most common lineage tests do. Tests that typically require fasting include :

• Basic or comprehensive metabolic test: Commonly character of a routine physical, this test measures the torso ’ s blood carbohydrate, kidney officiate, and early vital electric organ serve. Fasting is normally required for 10-12 hours before the screen .
• Fasting blood glucose test: This test can be used to diagnose diabetes or prediabetes based on the measurement of glucose ( sugar ) in the lineage after a period of not eating. Fasting is normally required for 8-10 hours before the test .
• Cholesterol test: besides known as a lipid profile, this test measures the sum of cholesterol and other fats in the blood. Fasting is normally required for 9-12 hours before the test .
• Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) test: This test measures the level of GGT enzyme in your blood, which can indicate liver disease. Avoiding alcohol for up to 24 hours beforehand is normally required ; additionally, you may or may not be required to avoid food for up to 8 hours before the quiz .
• Other nutritional tests: lineage tests that measure vitamins and minerals ( such as iron ) much require fasting advance. Depending on the character of

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  nutritional examination, you may be asked to fast for between 6-12 hours before the quiz .

Can I Drink Water Before a Blood Test?

Yes, you can drink body of water while fasting before a blood test—in fact, drinking plenty of water system can help ensure that you receive accurate test results. Dehydration can affect sealed rake tests such as cholesterol, electrolyte, and BUN tests. Be sure to stay hydrated before your trial by drinking the recommend sum of water for your weight and activity horizontal surface .

Can I Drink Coffee / Alcohol / Juice / Soda / Tea While Fasting?

No. Any beverage other than water should not be consumed before a lineage test unless approved by your healthcare provider. Alcohol, pop, and juice contain high quantities of carbohydrate, which can interfere with many common test results .
Black coffee, tea, and other caffeinated beverages are diuretics, which can have a dehydrate effect and cause test results to be inaccurate. For best results, avoid drinking all non-water beverages for the commend measure of time before your test .

What If I Accidentally Eat or Drink Before My Blood Test?

If you have been instructed to fast before your blood test and you incidentally eat or drink something during the fast window, it is important to notify your healthcare supplier or the person drawing your lineage. If you don ’ triiodothyronine, your results could be falsely interpreted .
It may be possible for your healthcare provider to interpret the non-fasted test results. Most probable, they will instruct you to reschedule the blood test at a meter when you will be able to successfully complete the fast before the test .
Your doctor will let you know the steps you need to take before your blood test, including whether or not fast is required and for how long. By following all testing instructions and best practices ( including how to fast ), you can ensure a smooth test process and the most accurate results.

Are you a affected role in need of lab testing ? Find a commodious test localization and schedule an appointment near you .
* Post reviewed and approved by Dr. Sona Kirpekar, our in-house Medical Consultant .
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