For any type of laboratory examination conducted for the diagnostic purpose (for example, stool test, urine test, blood test), a patient must follow certain tips, as suggested by the physician. One such example for detecting and confirming the medical conditions is the fasting blood test. The name itself indicates that a person should fast for certain period prior to collecting the blood sample for examination.
Fasting for blood test requires an individual to refrain from all the food items or in certain cases patient is restricted from having some specific foods. Fasting for blood test depends upon the type of blood test to be conducted. Hence, the duration may last from few hours to overnight fasting before drawing blood samples. Health care provider may suggest not to consider any medications or indulge in smoking before the blood test.
Types of Fasting for Blood Test:
Fasting blood test is done for an individual who has not eaten food and drink anything for at least 9 — 12 hours. The reliability of the blood test depends on the instruments used and also the lab technicians experience. But, to certain extent, accuracy of the test depends on the patient’s involvement. After all, blood sample is drawn from the person and not from others. Following are the two most common blood tests that are performed for detecting cholesterol and blood glucose levels in the bloodstream.
Fasting for Cholesterol Blood Test:
For ruling out the severe health complications such as cardiovascular diseases, heart disease and stroke, a fasting blood test known as lipid profile test is conducted for checking the triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Following are some of the points to be remembered for the test.
- For conducting the cholesterol test or lipid profile test, a patient must fast for at least 6 to 8 hours.
- Sometimes, 12 hours or overnight fasting is suggested for the test.
- Only drink water and avoid tea, coffee and other energy drinks because these may interfere with cholesterol readings.
- Watch your diet and control fatty foods, red meat and eggs few days before the blood test.
- For the regular cholesterol test, you may not change the routine diet plan.
- For cholesterol test, blood sample is collected in morning and sent for testing.
Fasting for Blood Sugar Test:
The most important diagnostic test for detecting type 1 and type 2 diabetes is the fasting blood sugar test. Generally, blood sample is collected in the morning such that the patient has to fast for an overnight. Following are some tips for conducting the test:
- The person is recommended not to drink or eat anything for nearly 8 hours.
- Patient must drink more water to stay hydrated and also to prevent the symptoms of dehydration.
- Next morning, laboratory technician collects the blood sample.
- Blood sample is sent to the lab for testing the blood glucose levels.
- The health care provider may advise fasting blood sugar test twice, if required.
