It is a common question whether or not to fast before a blood test. Whether you have to fast for 8 hours or 12 hours or less or more is based on the type of blood test you have been prescribed by your doctor. The specifics about preparing for your stated test will be notified to you by your healthcare provider. But it is common knowledge that is consuming food before most blood tests that mention fasting samples is a big NO! Even what you drink can seriously impact the outcome of the test. In case you are thirsty, you are allowed to drink a clear liquid like water, but other drinks like tea, coffee, coconut water or milk are strictly prohibited.
Even small things like smoking, chewing gum (sugarless or not) or even working out can rev up digestion and influence the test results. In this blog, let us find out a bit more about fasting before blood tests.
Fasting blood glucose estimation and lipid profile tests are commonly recommended tests which should be done in the fasting state. Overnight fasting therefore gives the most accurate test results.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.
The lab professional or doctor can advise you on fasting before a test you have booked. Make sure to ask about this if not notified. Some common blood tests that require fasting are listed below:
Recommended fasting time for the test: 9-12 hours.
Recommended fasting time for the test: Minimum 8 hours.
Recommended fasting for the test: 10-12 hours.
Recommended fasting time for the test: 12 hours.
Recommended fasting time for the test: 6-8 hours.
Recommended fasting time for the test: Minimum 8 hours.
Important thing and misconception is that fasting will reduce blood sugar report , it doesn’t. HbA1c shows average blood sugar of 3 months.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
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Usually, your doctor or the lab professional will ask you to fast before a test, meaning that they will advise you to refrain from eating or drinking anything besides water for several hours (typically 8+ hours). This is because whatever you consume, solids or liquids are absorbed into the bloodstream, which affects the results of certain blood test types. This is why the patient is asked not to consume anything before the test starts the night before.
Ø Schedule tests as early as possible.
Ø Pack a snack for your child to have immediately after the test.
Ø If your child has already consumed something prior to the test, best to reschedule the test.
Ø Inform the doctor that you are pregnant when they are prescribing a blood test.
Ø When you are pregnant, fasting is safe if you are not having a high-risk pregnancy.
Ø If the weather is sweltering, the doctor may ask you to drink lots of water and remain indoors.
Ø In case you are experiencing heartburn at the time of pregnancy, inform your doctor immediately.
Ø Don’t consume high-fat foods the night before.
Ø Do not drink alcohol.
Ø Do not smoke.
Ø Do not engage in a strenuous exercise until the test is over.
Also Read: Does Black Coffee Reduce Weight: Research-Based Insights into Coffee’s Role in Weight Loss
Getting ready for a blood test is not something to worry about. Like any routine test, it involves following a few simple guidelines. Some tests would require you to fast for 8-12 hours and some might demand shorter fasting periods. Everything will be informed to you by either your doctor or your healthcare professional at the lab prior to the test. While being prescribed a test by a doctor, ensure to notify them if you have any pre-existing condition or you are on any ongoing medications or herbal supplements to ensure that your test results are as accurate as possible.
Also Read: Signs to Stop Water Fasting: Boundary Between Health and Harm
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
While fasting has recently seen a rise in popularity, it has been a staple of many cultures and religions for centuries. Fasting is part of most religions in the world. The wisdom of the centuries and our forefathers cannot be doubted. What exactly is fasting? People fast by eating only certain kinds of food on certain days or abstaining from food for a certain length of time.
Some experts feel that fasting slows down the metabolic rate but done in the correct manner, fasting can reward us with rich benefits. If you decide to fast, you mustn’t binge on chips and other junk food when hunger strikes you. Keep healthy food options lined up for when you break your fast to avoid piling up the calories.
Studies have shown that fasting can have many health benefits, from increased weight loss to improved cognitive function. Here are some of the health benefits of fasting:
Fasting aids in weight loss and positively so. Apart from the considerable change in weight, people also notice a reduction in inflammation, their waist sizes, and body fat without harming the body muscles. Even sporadic fasting has been proved to show these effects.
Fasting could reduce your risk of getting diabetes. Research has proved that fasting just once a week and consuming just water that day can lower the odds of suffering from diabetes. Not only this, fasting reduces cholesterol levels and blood pressure as well.
Prolonged fasting can reinvent your immune system. When the body is starved of food over a period of time, to conserve energy, it recycles immune cells, providing you with a new fighting force against diseases.
When the body is fasting, it tries to throw out anything and everything that is consuming energy without providing any benefits. Due to this, the toxins stored in the body are excreted. Research points at a raised level of endorphins, the hormones that make us feel good and happy after fasting.
Fasting is known to reduce triglycerides, which are responsible for causing heart diseases. Triglycerides are responsible for bad cholesterol. Interestingly, fasting does not harm the good cholesterol in the body. Read more on how to reduce cholesterol
The fatty tissue is responsible for secreting many hormones. One such hormone is Leptin that decides how you feel post a meal. Fasting promotes weight loss, and because of that, the body becomes more receptive to hunger and satiety signals. Thus, the leaner you are, the less hungry you feel, and because of the increased leptin receptivity, you feel full earlier post a meal.
According to certain studies I came across, fasting before or during chemotherapy may help make the procedure more effective and reduce its side effects. It might improve the response of tumour cells to chemotherapy, help protect normal cells, and enhance the immune system’s response. However, more research is needed to fully understand the benefits of fasting in combination with chemotherapy.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)
Research has shown that fasting slows down the ageing process in animals. The jury is still out on humans, but many people believe that fasting reduces the free radicals, primarily responsible for ageing. Fasting is also thought to an increased life span.
I saw an intriguing finding in one of the studies I read. When people fasted for 5 days, their growth hormone (GH) secretion increased notably. These findings show that fasting may influence GH secretion and help the body adapt during starvation.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Fasting lowers the bad cholesterol, regulates blood volume, and normalizes blood pressure. Research on animals has proved to make the heart muscle more efficient and accelerate the growth of blood vessels in the heart.
While there are so many benefits of fasting, it must be approached with caution. People with diabetes, people suffering from high blood pressure, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should not fast.
Fasting is known to improve brain function by boosting the production of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
A number of other chemicals that enhance neural health are triggered by BDNF, which activates brain stem cells to form new neurons. Besides protecting your brain cells, this protein also helps prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Fasting can help clear the skin because with digestion temporarily halted, the body can concentrate its regenerative powers on other systems.
Having no food for only one day has been shown to improve the body’s ability to detoxify toxins and keep other organs like the liver, kidneys, and other organs functioning properly.
Also Read: Best Fast Food For Weight Watchers: Making Healthy Choices on the Go
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
