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Concerned over a letter from my Doctor

D

Defren

Well-Known Member
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3,106
I received a letter from my Doctor today, it is for a fasting blood test, and also an appointment at the surgery diabetic clinic. As I fasting test, I was not surprised at the no food or drink from midnight the night before part, but what does concern me, my appointment is for 5pm. I will have to go 17+ hours with no food or drink, and even if I get into my appointment on time, which is unlikely, I will be without anything, even fluid for a minimum of 17 1/2 hours. I will take a bottle of water with me, but does this sound healthy and right for a diabetic?
 
My fasting tests permit unlimited water, and I only have to fast for 8-12 hours prior to my appointment, so if your appointment is at 5pm you can eat something at 7am.

Is the fasting test at the same time as the appointment, or a separate thing?
 
lucylocket61 said:
My fasting tests permit unlimited water, and I only have to fast for 8-12 hours prior to my appointment, so if your appointment is at 5pm you can eat something at 7am.

Is the fasting test at the same time as the appointment, or a separate thing?
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Sorry, I didn't make that very clear did I? The fasting test is on April 23rd, my diabetes clinic appointment is April 27th. The letter clearly states "Nothing to eat or drink from midnight the day before". There is a sentence that says black tea and coffee are fine, but that has a line through it. So no fluid for 17 hours. That just can't be right, can it?
 
I would check that in case they put the line in the wrong place. Or they can explain if it is a very specific type of test?
 
lucylocket61 said:
I would check that in case they put the line in the wrong place. Or they can explain if it is a very specific type of test?
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I am going to phone them, but unless I get some solid advice from here, know I will stew on this all weekend.
 
I understand. Not knowing is very difficult to cope with, isnt it.

Do you know what the fasting blood test is for and what they are going to be testing?
 
The best thing to do is to ring the GP and check that the fasting test is at 5 and if it is find out how long you need to fast or if you can have an earlier appointment .I always ask for a early appointment if I have a fasting blood test and they always give me a morning appointment .Dont worry about it I am sure your GP doesnt want you not to eat or drink for such a long time
CAROL
 
Lucy; since diagnosis I have not had a fasting test, so assuming it is to see how my FBG are. I was diagnosed with a HbA1c of 7.0 so this will possibly be to expand on that.

Carol; thank you, yes, it does seem an awful long time for a diabetic to go without food or fluid. There again, I suppose anyone having surgery would be the same I suppose. It does just seem a long time just for a fasting test.
 
I dont have fasting tests now but when I did they always made a poinnt of doing them foirst thing in the morning ie from 8=30 to 9.30
I am sure your letter is a mistake. Someone may have been distracted and forgot to take everything into consideration.

When I first began having injecions for my retinopathy which for some yoes is a full operating theatre procedure including not eating or even drinking water for a period before the procedure , I ofen found that they had not taken the fact I had diabetes into account. and it had to be pointed out to them.

Now unfortunatelly I am such a "regilla r cusomer " this no longer happens.

It MUST be a mistake either in the time or in the instructions for the ime you must fast.
 
My surgery have always told me that if I need a fasting test to tell the that I am Diabetic and they will give the 1st appt of the morning 8.00/8.30.
 

The time is likely to be correct as I am rarely available for appointments earlier. It's the length of time without food and water that is the worry. I will phone Monday. I would be surprised if it were an oversight as the diabetic appointment is on the same letter. I think ignorance may be the real issue here. Thank you all for responding.
 
I had a fasting test yesterday. When I booked it I said it was a Diabetic Fasting Test and I was given one for 8.50 in the morning, but our surgery doesnt take blood after 2pm so it can be sent off the same day. I was given a piece of paper saying no food for 14 hours before, take medication as normal, water isnt limited so drink as much as you want, infact from past experiences I dont bleed unless I drink lots before the test.
 
Thank you also TT. I do think a call to my surgery first thing Monday morning is in order. I am so exasperated by the lack of foresight of some of these people. Why on earth don't they read what they write? I suspect it is just a standard letter, and with an early appointment would have been straight forward, but 5pm is just beyond reason.
 
phone your surgery and ask what they want you to do.
Hana
 
hanadr said:
phone your surgery and ask what they want you to do.
Hana
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Yes Hana, that seems the consensus of opinion and the logical thing to do. I did wonder if anyone else had to fast for quite that long. I think I have my answer. Thank you.
 
Hi Defren! Whatever the test is, the letter is rubbish. I'm certain you'll be allowed to drink water at any time. As you expect, it will be a standard letter for tests normally done in the morning. Find out what the test is - wouldn't mind a small wager that fasting isn't really essential anyway! But obviously go by what they say. Again, I'm sure a late dinner will be fine for a PM test.
Good luck!
 
I usually fast from about 8pm for a 9am test, but that's only 'cos that's my eating routine - apart from delaying breakfast, of course. 10 hours should be adequate, so if you have a substantial early breakfast at 07:00, you should be fasted enough for your fasting test at 17:00.

Do check about the drinking, though. I think they only ask you not refrain from drinking anything for a period before surgery to make sure that your bladder is empty and you don't pee all over the operating table when you go under and your sphincters relax! :shock: :lol:

That's why vets ask you not to let your dog drink before surgery, anyway.

Viv 8)
 
Hi. Normally for a fasting test you can't have anything except water for between something like 10 to 14 hours. I usually get my blood test done at the local hospital (no appointment needed) first thing in the morning or I use the GP surgery if there is a phlebotomist available by appointment. One nice nurse at the Path clinic told me that 14 hours was actually too long and suggested a max of 12 hours. I suspect this is because the liver can dump glucose (glycogen) if your sugar gets too low and that can confuse readings. My test results normally reach my surgery electronically within a few days so at the GP appointment the GP has the figures available.
 
I have cancelled this appointment as it was exactly as the letter stated, and re booked. When I phoned the surgery, and mentioned my concern, suddenly I needed an early morning slot :roll: Funny how things change once you speak with a human being!

Anyway, thanks for all the advice, I now know a lot more about how fasting blood tests SHOULD be done!
 
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