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Have you ever wondered why your doctor ordered you to fast before you have blood drawn for further testing? Fasting is not easy, as it requires you to avoid eating for a long period of time. This can cause issues, like fatigue, hunger, and lightheadedness. When you need to have blood drawn for further testing that is sent to labs specializing in dermatopathology in Pittsburgh, PA, you will want to follow doctor's orders as best as possible to avoid discrepancies in test results. There are a few reasons why fasting is required for some blood tests that are sent to labs. Blood Glucose TestsFasting glucose tests can determine and diagnose diabetes, which indicates that there is an issue with blood sugar levels in the body. It is important for patients to avoid eating or drinking anything for 8 to 10 hours before having blood drawn to ensure that an accurate blood glucose level is being recorded. This is essential in ruling out or diagnosing the possibility of diabetes. Blood Cholesterol TestsHaving a high level of cholesterol can put you at risk for many other health conditions, which can have devastating effects on your health. Blood cholesterol tests are used to indicate the levels of fats in the blood, which will naturally fluctuate once you have eaten certain foods. Fasting for 9 to 12 hours before having blood drawn is important to give an accurate depiction of the levels of fats normally stored in your blood. Iron Blood TestsBlood that is drawn to test the levels of iron also require fasting. These tests are done to determine whether you have a deficiency of iron in your blood, resulting in anemia. Iron is absorbed very quickly from foods into the blood, so fasting for the morning before the test is essential in providing accurate results. Also, those who take supplements should also refrain from taking those supplements for at least 24 hours before having their blood drawn. Comprehensive Metabolic TestsThese tests are done in order to determine diseases or disorders related to the kidneys, blood sugar, and electrolyte balance. When you have these tests completed, you will want to fast for at least 10-12 hours before having your blood drawn to provide accurate results that are tainted by eating particular foods first. These are just a few of the main reasons why fasting is required to have some blood drawn for further lab testing. At our lab facility that specializes in dermatopathology in Pittsburgh, PA, we perform many tests that can determine specific diagnoses and then pinpoint the right course of treatment. Our patients that adhere to the suggestions of their doctor typically don't need to have multiple courses of the same test. If you want to hear more about our lab testing services, contact us to hear more today. OverviewWhat is fasting blood sugar?Fasting blood sugar is a simple, common blood test to screen for diabetes, prediabetes or gestational diabetes (during pregnancy). It’s also called a fasting blood glucose test. When does a person need to have their blood glucose measured with this test?Prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes often have no symptoms at first. A person can have the condition and not know it. Healthcare providers usually order a fasting blood sugar test:
Who performs a fasting blood sugar test?Fasting blood sugar tests occur in a doctor’s office, lab or hospital. Test DetailsHow does blood glucose work?Blood sugar, or glucose, is the main sugar found in your blood. When you eat or drink, your body breaks down carbohydrates in the food or liquid into sugar for energy. Then your pancreas produces a hormone called insulin, which helps blood sugar enter your body’s cells. It also helps your body store blood sugar for later use. As the cells use the blood sugar, glucose and insulin levels in the blood decrease. But with diabetes, your body has trouble regulating glucose. Either your pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin, or your body doesn’t process insulin effectively. Therefore, the amount of sugar in your blood is higher than normal. And a lot of glucose in your blood is bad for your body. A fasting blood glucose test measures the amount of glucose in your blood when it should be at its lowest. That happens in the morning and when you haven’t had anything to eat or drink for a while. How do I prepare for a fasting blood sugar test?To prepare for a fasting glucose test, you should have nothing to eat or drink (except water) for 8 to 12 hours. Your healthcare provider will tell you how long to fast. What can I expect on the day of the test?A fasting blood glucose test is often done with a common blood draw. A healthcare provider will:
After the test, the healthcare provider will send the blood sample to a lab for testing. In some cases, your healthcare provider may be able to test your blood sugar with a prick on the finger instead of a needle in the vein. The provider uses a blood glucose monitor and test strip to measure your blood glucose level in the office. Are there any risks with a fasting blood sugar test?A blood test is a very common and safe test, with almost no chance of any complications. Results and Follow-UpWhen will I get the results of the test?Results of a fasting blood glucose test are usually available quickly, within days or hours. What is normal fasting blood sugar, and what is a diabetes blood sugar level?The results of the fasting blood sugar test will come back as a number:
If you have a high fasting blood sugar level, your healthcare provider may repeat the test to make sure. If the test reveals that you have prediabetes, your healthcare provider will recommend you repeat the fasting blood sugar test every year or two. The results will help you know whether you are progressing to Type 2 diabetes. Additional DetailsCan I do a fasting blood sugar test at home instead?There are kits that allow you to test your blood sugar at home. But they should not be used to diagnose diabetes. The results are often not as accurate as tests by a healthcare provider. Several factors can affect accuracy, such as:
At-home blood testing kits are intended to help people who have already been diagnosed. They help people with diabetes manage the condition and understand what factors affect their blood sugar. A note from Cleveland Clinic Fasting blood sugar is a simple, common blood test to diagnose prediabetes, diabetes or gestational diabetes. Before the test, you shouldn’t have anything to eat or drink (except water) for 8 to 12 hours. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need a fasting blood glucose test. Why is fasting important prior to obtaining a blood glucose score?Fasting before certain blood tests is important to help make sure that your test results are accurate. The vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates, and proteins that make up all food and beverages can impact blood-level readings, clouding the results of your test.
Does fasting more than 8 hours affect blood test results?Many other fasting patients attend early, so you may experience some delays. Unfortunately it's not possible to make appointments. IF YOU FAST LONGER THAN 16 HOURS - YOUR RESULTS MAY NOT BE ACCURATE, OR WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PERFORM SOME OF THE TESTS.
Is fasting 8 hours before blood test enough?You usually need to fast for 8–12 hours before a test. Most tests that require fasting are scheduled for early in the morning. That way, most of your fasting time will be overnight.
What happens if you don't fast for a fasting blood test?What happens if I don't fast before a blood test? If you don't fast before a test that requires it, the results may not be accurate. If you forget and eat or drink something, call your doctor or lab and ask if the test can still be done. They can then tell you if you need to reschedule your test.
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Why is it important to have fasted for at least 8 hours prior to fasting blood glucose test?
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