Re: Fasting Blood Tests!

I used to have to fast before my regular HbA1c blood tests for diabetes, which they always tried to arrange for a morning appointment. The problem being that the later in the morning the more likely I'd be to feel hypoglycaemic.

Fortunately, they don't now bother with the fasting rules.

Re: Fasting Blood Tests!

I have a fasting Cholesterol test coming up in April, I think.

Re: Fasting Blood Tests!

I fasted for all my tests recently (includes chol and hba1c.). One of my nieces is training to be a phlebotomist and when she finishes sunning herself in Benidorm, I’ll ask her.

Re: Fasting Blood Tests!

I had to do a 12 hour fast before my cholesterol test about a month ago.
I thought you could have black tea/coffee though, as long as there were no sweeteners?

This is from the NHS website:




Getting a cholesterol test

A blood sample is taken that will be used to determine the amount of bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL) and other fatty substances (triglycerides) in your blood.

You may be asked not to eat for 10 to 12 hours before the cholesterol test, usually including when you're asleep at night. This ensures that all food is completely digested and won't affect the outcome of the test.

Your GP or practice nurse can carry out the cholesterol test and will take a blood sample, either using a needle and a syringe or by pricking your finger.

A newer type of test that measures non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) is now sometimes used because it's thought to be a more accurate way of estimating cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk than LDL.

Non-HDL cholesterol is total cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol. It's also not necessary to fast before the test, so it is more convenient.


And a bit more info:




It is generally required that you fast for 9 to 12 hours before a cholesterol blood test. Neither eating nor drinking anything but water before the test generally yields the most accurate results. Although 1 small cup of black coffee shortly before having blood drawn will probably have little effect on the test results, always follow the pretest instructions because strict fasting may be particularly important in certain situations.

Re: Fasting Blood Tests!

I've had some cholesterol tests where I have had to fast for 12 hrs and a couple when I didn't need to..
Had loads of other blood tests, none of them required a fast beforehand.

Re: Fasting Blood Tests!

They are doing a full endocrine profile. Nothing but water then from 10:00pm to night to be sure. I am allowed to make it warm water - deep joy!

Re: Fasting Blood Tests!

Good luck Silver Tabby, I know the time drags by when you know you can't have anything to eat or drink.

Re: Fasting Blood Tests!

Yes Galty the tests included for Cholesterol and I was told the latest advice is unless you area taking statins fasting is not necessary.

Re: Fasting Blood Tests!

I always fast before attending blood tests for cholesterol whether they tell me to or not. Eating or drinking anything [except water] will drastically affect the results of a cholesterol test. It's not so much about how much cholesterol is in the blood, it's how long it takes the body to remove it.

A higher reading and you will most definitely be advised to take statins.