Blood test?

[rubytuesday6]

Hi guys I'm getting a blood test tomorrow and I heard I should fast for 12 HOURS before so that there is no fat in the blood system. This might sound stupid but is binging and purging okay? If I purge it all out and there isn't any food in my "system"? How about chewing and spitting since I won't swallow anything? I realize my question is very dumb

Comments

[spyral_path]

It's impossible to mnow if you've purged everything and it's impossible to be sure not to swallow anythi g if you chew and spit. If you want accurate test results, follow the instructions you were given. Both of those behaviors will throw off your blood sugar because your body reacts as if it expects food, and then doesn't get any.

[rubytuesday6]

Yeah I guess I'm gonna be forced to fast

[casualwraith]

Unfortunately, yeah. Eating a huge amount just before the 12 hour mark will also distort the results, particularly if you have delayed gastric emptying. I know non-ED people who've tried that for a fasting blood sugar test and been caught.

[casualwraith]

I would think it would depend on your normal meal schedule, if that makes sense. The info above came from a friend of mine whose family doctor always winds up lulzing at the parents because, well, every year, they go "OH GOD 12 HOUR FAST," rapidly consume extra calories just before the fast begins "just in case," and the doctor sees it in the results. 12 hours isn't magic, obviously -- the idea, I think, is to give your body time to finish digestion and therefore "control" for all the variables therein. But as noted downthread, this is the laziest way to do testing and it implies that the patient has no other ailments. It's easier to ask for fasting bloodwork and get a number (within normal limits, yes/no) than to actually do tests that require you to interpret the data relative to the person and their medical history. Obviously, some tests will always require nothing by mouth instructions, but I would want to know the specific reasoning before agreeing to one

[formyed]

This. When my M.D. has me do fasting blood tests, she pretty much makes me promise that I'll go first thing in the morning and have breakfast right after (and I've only had to fast for 8 hours, so basically during my sleeping time). Or I'm "not allowed" to do them. lol

[midoriliem]

That's what I do too...arrive early and have the test as soon as possible and then eat a breakfast I brought with me.