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Blood test and taking insulin

G

geezer

Member
Messages
20
Hi everyone,
hope someone can give me an answer quickly.
I`ve been on Insulin now for about 9 weeks, and am due to give my first Hba1c blood test since going on to insulin, tomorrow. I know i have to Fast for 14hrs.-water only, but what do i do about the insulin?
I would assume i should not take any till after the blood has been taken, presumably because the insulin will have nothing to act on, and i would run the risk of having a Hypo.
Any advise from you guys would be very much appreciated.
Thank you, Clive. :D :D :D
 
Hello geezer,

You don't need to fast for a Hba1c test.

Whenever you inject your usual amount of insulin, you'll need to eat your usual amount of
carbohydrate. (otherwise it's "lights out") :shock:

Regards,
timo.
 
Hi, Timo and Sarahq,
thank you for your replies. I was only assuming i had to fast, because i had to when i was tabs n diet controlled prior to insulin.- perhaps they were checking for something else then. They always told me fast for 14hrs, and the results would include an Hba1c result aswell as other things like cholesterol, lipids, liver function etc. So why is it different on insulin?

Clive :D :D
 
Thank you, SarahQ,
have taken onboard what you`ve said, so probably breakfast as normal for me in the morning, then. MMMMMMMMMMM, yummy! Some bland carbs n a cuppa tea, can`t wait!
Only joking!
Just contacted NHS Direct, they`ll call me back soon, probably just to re afirm what you have said.
Forgive my ignorance, i`m still fairly new at this game. (Only 2 1/2 yrs as a diabetic, and still learning).
In the words of Spock- "Live long, and prosper".
Nighty, night.
Clive. :? :D :D :D
 
if it's just for HbA1c no fast is needed, for cholesterol they will want you to fast.
last time I went for my blood tests, I couldn't fast as my blood suagr was too low to drive. when i got there and told them that they weren't very happy. I said just do all the tests that didn't require me to fast (almost all of them). then the cheek of it they write on the form "pateint refused to fast".
pateint actually refused to be a danger to the public by not driving whilst hypo.
 
Hi sofaraway,
thank you, and all the others for your replies. All went well today. Had my breakfast as usual, and only did the Hba1c test.
Think you did the right thing by eating something, as your bs`s were low. Don`t blame you. why put yourself at risk, as well as others. If they didn`t like it, then tough,- i think they were being very narrow minded. A test can always be re schedulled. Sometimes, i think they think you have commited a mortal sin.
Anyway, that off my chest, hope you`re well, and enjoying life as it is. Keep well.

Clive. :D :D :D
 
Hi Lionrampant,
whats that supposed to mean, it was gone midnight, and they where the only professional avenue i had to go down for advice. I had to act quickly as my blood test was due the very next day. It was a spur of the moment thing.
I do bow to to you others experiences, as most of you who reply have a greater understanding and experience of the condition. I will learn in time, as i am now having to in my new job at work. I used to be a Class One driver, but thats now all out the window, so i am learning new skills, - and very successfully too.
We may knock the NHS from time to time, but over all, i think they do a good job.
Anyway, here`s to your good health, have a good evening.
Clive :D :D :D
 
I h ave been refused my A1c blood test before now because I have eaten breakfast..........I didnt really understand why.

This time I just had coffee with cream, took my tablets and went (walked to the appointment) I had breakfast when I arrived at work straight after, I must say though, I didnt feel comfortable with it as I take Amaryl.... in hindsight maybe I just should have taken all the meds except Amaryl till after I had eaten. (although I tend to run pretty high in the mornings).
 
You dont need to fast for an HBA but if they are doing other tests then you may do esp trigylcerides - the test is invalid unless you fast.
 
his time I just had coffee with cream, took my tablets and went (walked to the appointment) I had breakfast when I arrived at work straight after, I must say though, I didnt feel comfortable with it as I take Amaryl.... in hindsight maybe I just should have taken all the meds except Amaryl till after I had eaten. (although I tend to run pretty high in the mornings).
Problem solved just don't tell em you have eaten. What they don't know wont hurt them.
Just a sugestion if you run a bit high in the morning have you tried a small protien snack before bed? This might solve your problem.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the advice, I'll try tonight
 
lionrampant said:
Just contacted NHS Direct
Click to expand...

And here we see your first mistake sir! :lol: :wink:
Click to expand...

Sorry to disagree but I just had to day that Itruely believe NHS direct saved my life, or at least prevented me from being in a DKA coma. My Doctor / nurse at the GP had missed my T1 diabetes and were treating me for oral thrush and supposed asthma and had seen both in the last week before my admittance to HDU. However when I called NHS Direct they were smart enough to recongnise my situation and arranged an ambulance within seconds of our converstion starting. (I had just believed my doctors and just thought I was breathing funny because of asthma and was being ill because of the steriod inhaler or a tummy bug) I had not realised myself how much danger I was in (I was at least BG33 when I was admitted and would have never considered calling for an ambulance myself). I have since written to them and thanked them as I feel that sometimes this isn't said enough.

In fact every time in the past that I have called them they have been helpful. It can't be easy assessing people over the phone - lets face it my gp and nurse were face to face with me and still got it wrong!

No having a go lionrampant just wanted to show that they don't always get it wrong.
 
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