Fast before blood/lipid profile test?

[Jason K]

Hi, before a blood test, we're always told to fast abut 8-10
hours before the test (i. e. overnight). Does that include not
drinking as well?

TIA, Jason

[Jedilworth]

Fasting for 12-14 hours prior to lipid testing is mainly for
triglyceride determination. Dr. Uthman is a clinical
Pathologist; scroll down to see further explanations about
lipid testing:

http://www.neosoft.com/~uthman/lab_test.html

He has this to say about triglycerides:

"Markedly increased triglycerides (>500 mg/dL) usually
indicate a nonfasting patient (i.e., one having consumed any
calories within 12-14 hour period prior to specimen
collection). If patient is fasting, hypertriglyceridemia is
seen in hyperlipoproteinemia types I, IIb, III, IV, and V.
Exact classification theoretically requires lipoprotein
electrophoresis, but this is not usually necessary to assess a
patient's risk to atherosclerosis [See "Assessment of
Atherosclerosis Risk," above]. Cholestyramine,
corticosteroids, estrogens, ethanol, miconazole (intravenous),
oral contraceptives, spironolactone, stress, and high
carbohydrate intake are known to increase triglycerides.
Decreased serum triglycerides are seen in
abetalipoproteinemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
hyperthyroidism, malnutrition, and malabsorption states. "

You may drink water (probably not copious amounts), but no
caffeinated beverages or alcohol (!), no gum or mints, as your
doctor most likely will be testing your glucose levels as
well. Fasting before a glucose test without lipid testing can
be a little shorter, I believe, but check with your physician
for what he recommends. I believe that 8-10 hours for glucose
is enough but can't find a specific reference.

Judy Dilworth, M.T. (ASCP) Microbiology

Jason K wrote:
>
> Hi, before a blood test, we're always told to fast abut 8-10
> hours before the test (i. e. overnight). Does that include
> not drinking as well?

[Jason K]

Thanks, it'll be the "whole works", lipid profile, glucose,
STDs. HIV, Hep B etc.. so I guess no food from 9.30 pm tonight
(appointment at 9.30am tomorrow). Thanks again for the info.

Jason

"JEDilworth" <bactitech@nospamhortonsbay.com> wrote in message
news:3D588F96.203223E4@nospamhortonsbay.com...
> Fasting for 12-14 hours prior to lipid testing is mainly for
> triglyceride determination. Dr. Uthman is a clinical
> Pathologist; scroll down to see further explanations about
> lipid testing:

<snip