thread: Fasting before blood tests

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Feb 2009
    3,407

    Fasting before blood tests

    I am having a shed load of blood taken tomorrow prior to a laparoscopy on Monday.

    Should I fast before having the tests done? DH is adamant that I should fast, whereas I don't think vie ever fasted before a BT.

    The Dr didn't say anything about fasting when he gave me the script.

    Thanks xo

  2. #2

    Jan 2008
    3,107

    What bloods are they?

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Feb 2009
    3,407

    HIV ag/ab
    HepBsAg
    HepC-IgG
    Rubella IgG
    Blood group and antibodies
    HTLV 1 & 11
    AMH
    FBC
    ESR
    C-reactive protein

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    5,235

    Have you got the request form - might be red and white if it's S&N. It will have fasting ticked if it's meant to be a fasting one. Usually you only fast for blood sugar and cholesterol. My lap test was for oxygen saturation levels, and blood type and cross for if you need a transfusion in an emergency so it wasn't a fasting one.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Feb 2009
    3,407

    Thanks Ausgirl... I have the form, but the fasting box isn't marked with a Y or a N like the rest of the boxes (pregnancy etc).

    I have to go to the IVF clinic first thing, so I might just ask when I'm there. I won't eat before I go, just in case, but if she's says I'm right to eat, I'll stop for some drive thru on the way.

    Cheers xo

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Jul 2007
    melb
    8,498

    None of them appear to be fasting bloods. A few I am not sure about but no harm in asking.

    Generally fasting bloods are fasting lipids, fasting glucose etc.

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Add Little Chicken on Facebook

    Mar 2010
    Melbourne
    1,855

    I would say no you don't. None of them are metabolic (except I don't know AMH). I've had all of them at some stage except HTLV and AMH and haven't fasted for them.

  8. #8
    2013 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    May 2007
    Brisbane
    5,310

    AMH is probably anti-mullerian hormone? Shel had all hers done this year for the clinic and none of them were fasting tests

  9. #9
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Jan 2006
    11,633

    I haven't had to fast for any of those things before.

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Dec 2005
    6,706

    In my experience, the doctor requesting the tests always mentions if it's a fasting test or not.

    I'd say you're safe to eat.

    BW

  11. #11
    Registered User
    Add ~Lashes~ on Facebook

    Aug 2010
    south eastern melbourne
    2,533

    id say the doctor would have told you if you had to fast, but asking first cant hurt, better to be sure then to guess! good luck with it all.

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Feb 2009
    3,407

    Thanks everyone... Much appreciated xo

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    A Pirate Ship
    3,627

    hi hon, how did you go with the tests, I guess you didn't fast then? I had to fast once but only to check for blood sugar and i was in tears by the end of it feeling like I was going to pass out. I even told the lady that I had better go first (there was a que) because I was seriously going to vomit, start shaking or pass out or something and then I started crying Oh well I need my food!! LOL

  14. #14
    Registered User

    Feb 2009
    3,407

    Thanks for checking on me hun!!

    Nope, didn't fast... luckily, because she took 32mls of blood!!

    BT's don't bother me in the least though, I'm one of those strange people that watches the blood come out and asks 1 million questions - 'what's that one for', 'how much are you taking now' etc etc