Are you a clinical lab looking to grow your reach? Learn more than virtually our platform:

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

Sure blood tests crave fasting beforehand. If your healthcare provider has instructed you to fast earlier your upcoming test, it means that y'all should not eat or potable anything (also water) for the specified amount of time before having your blood drawn.

Agreement why fasting is of import and how to properly fast before a blood examination can exist helpful for eliminating pre-test feet and simplifying the testing process. Below, larn how to fast for a blood examination correctly to assistance make sure that your test results are accurate.

Why Is Fasting Required Before Blood Tests?

Fasting before a blood test helps meliorate the accuracy and reliability of the test. Accurate examination results are a disquisitional component of diagnosing various health weather condition and monitoring the effectiveness of treatment plans.

Your nutrition contains a range of nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins. When you lot eat and drink normally, those nutrients are broken down and absorbed into your bloodstream. This can bear on the levels of those substances in the blood and skew lab test results .

For example, certain methods of diabetes testing measure out the patient's baseline claret sugar levels after a period of fasting. Eating direct before the examination will crusade the patient's blood saccharide to fasten, leading to an inaccurate test effect. The patient could be misdiagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes, unless their doctor recommends that they consummate a second test.

Which Blood Tests Crave Fasting?

Not all lab tests require fasting beforehand, just many of the most mutual claret tests practise. Tests that typically require fasting include:

  • Bones or comprehensive metabolic exam: Unremarkably part of a routine physical, this test measures the trunk's claret sugar, kidney part, and other vital organ office. Fasting is usually required for ten-12 hours before the test.
  • Fasting blood glucose test: This exam can be used to diagnose diabetes or prediabetes based on the measurement of glucose (sugar) in the claret after a period of not eating. Fasting is commonly required for eight-ten hours before the test.
  • Cholesterol test: Also known as a lipid contour, this test measures the amount of cholesterol and other fats in the blood. Fasting is usually required for 9-12 hours earlier 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 usually required; additionally, you lot may or may not be required to avert food for up to eight hours earlier the test.
  • Other nutritional tests: Claret tests that measure vitamins and minerals (such as fe) often require fasting beforehand. Depending on the type of nutritional testing , you may be asked to fast for between 6-12 hours earlier the test.

Can I Drink Water Before a Blood Examination?

Aye, yous can drink water while fasting earlier a blood test—in fact, drinking plenty of h2o tin can help ensure that y'all receive accurate test results. Dehydration tin bear upon certain blood tests such as cholesterol, electrolyte and BUN tests. Exist sure to stay hydrated before your test by drinking the recommended amount of h2o for your weight and activity level.

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

No. Whatever beverage other than water should not exist consumed before a claret test, unless canonical by your healthcare provider. Alcohol, soda, and juice contain high quantities of sugar, which tin can interfere with many common test results.

Black coffee, tea, and other caffeinated beverages are diuretics, which can take a dehydrating outcome and cause test results to be inaccurate. For all-time results, avoid drinking all not-water beverages for the recommended amount of time earlier your test.

What If I Accidentally Consume or Potable Before My Blood Test?

If you have been instructed to fast earlier your blood examination and you lot accidentally consume or drinkable something during the fasting window, information technology is important to notify your healthcare provider or the person drawing your blood. If you don't, your results could exist incorrectly interpreted.

It may be possible for your healthcare provider to translate the non-fasted exam results. Virtually likely, they will instruct you to reschedule the blood exam at a fourth dimension when you will be able to successfully complete the fast earlier the exam.

Your md will allow you know the steps yous need to take before your blood test, including whether or non fasting is required and for how long. By following all testing instructions and best practices (including how to fast), you can ensure a smooth testing process and the nearly accurate results.

Are y'all a patient in need of lab testing? Notice a convenient testing location and schedule an appointment near you.

*Mail reviewed and approved by Dr. Sona Kirpekar, our in-house Medical Consultant.