Type 2 confused about fasting and non fasting

[Toby17]

Hi I was actually diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2011 and up till recently have always been told that I had to have fasting blood tests at least once a year. Now this has all changed and I have been told I need a non fasting test for full blood count, cholesterol, liver function, etc. Can anyone explain to me why that is and has anyone experienced the same? Also what difference will it make to results if I have had some breakfast before having blood test?

 

[GrantGam]

Hi I was actually diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2011 and up till recently have always been told that I had to have fasting blood tests at least once a year. Now this has all changed and I have been told I need a non fasting test for full blood count, cholesterol, liver function, etc. Can anyone explain to me why that is and has anyone experienced the same? Also what difference will it make to results if I have had some breakfast before having blood test?

Hello @Toby17 and welcome to the forum.

It's a grey area when it comes to fasting and non-fasting bloods; not so much grey actually, more subject to the opinion of the doctor who requests them.

I can tell you that I have never fasted, nor been asked to fast, for any diabetes related blood tests. Although I'm T1, the tests are the same - HbA1c, U+E's, lipid profile and thyroid function (the latter may not be applicable).

It's my opinion that fasting for blood tests is non-essential; if it was then I would have been asked by now... However, if fasting is what your doctor wants then it's probably best that you follow through with their request

 

[Bluetit1802]

The HbA1c, liver, kidney, FBC etc tests don't require fasting. However, if you are to have triglycerides included in your cholesterol test it is wise to fast, even if you have been told it isn't necessary. We were always asked to fast before tests in the past because we were probably having a fasting plasma glucose test. Other than on initial diagnosis, most doctors no longer do these as the HbA1c is preferred.

Personally I always fast for the sake of my triglyceride levels. I tell the nurse I have fasted so she can change the labels accordingly.

 

[Toby17]

Hello @Toby17 and welcome to the forum.

It's a grey area when it comes to fasting and non-fasting bloods; not so much grey actually, more subject to the opinion of the doctor who requests them.

I can tell you that I have never fasted, nor been asked to fast, for any diabetes related blood tests. Although I'm T1, the tests are the same - HbA1c, U+E's, lipid profile and thyroid function (the latter may not be applicable).

It's my opinion that fasting for blood tests is non-essential; if it was then I would have been asked by now... However, if fasting is what your doctor wants then it's probably best that you follow through with their request

Thank you for your reply, the letter I've had specifically says that it is a non fasting blood test (I was told that by the lady who did the blood test the last time I went.) but it just seems strange to me that I have always been told fasting and now that has changed to the opposite.

 

[Toby17]

The HbA1c, liver, kidney, FBC etc tests don't require fasting. However, if you are to have triglycerides included in your cholesterol test it is wise to fast, even if you have been told it isn't necessary. We were always asked to fast before tests in the past because we were probably having a fasting plasma glucose test. Other than on initial diagnosis, most doctors no longer do these as the HbA1c is preferred.

Personally I always fast for the sake of my triglyceride levels. I tell the nurse I have fasted so she can change the labels accordingly.

Thank you for that, I sometimes think we just aren't given enough information you just do as you are told without really understanding why? And it's particularly confusing when you are told one thing by one Healthcare Professional and something else by another!

 

[Mr_Pot]

I always arrange for any tests early in the morning and have my breakfast after the test. That way it is always a fasting test but not really any inconvenience.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Thank you for that, I sometimes think we just aren't given enough information you just do as you are told without really understanding why? And it's particularly confusing when you are told one thing by one Healthcare Professional and something else by another!

At the end of the day it doesn't really matter. To fast or not to fast, it is your choice!

Another thing with surgeries and fasting tests is all fasting tests were arranged for early morning for obvious reasons. This restricted the time available to do the tests and therefore there were long waiting times. Making them non-fasting greatly increased the time available and brought the waiting time down.