• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

FASTING TEST FOR 12 to 14 HOURS

tommahawk62

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I would like some advice about fasting for my gloucose test if possible. I went to see my Diabetic Nurse at my GPs and she said I need to fast to between 12 and 14 hours to have a blood test done. I told her my blood is dropping to 4.3 and under at around 3am in the morning and I don't think I shall make it until 8.30am at the Surgery in the morning for my blood test without feeling ill. She said I had to fast to get a proper reading. I have been diagnosed Type Diabetes 2 years ago. Then I was told I was Gloucose intolerant. Now she tells me I was borderline Diabetic and now I could have gone into being Type 2 again. I am very confused and really worried having to fast for this length of time as I know my sugars drop during the night. Any advice or similar experiences in dealing with this would be greatly appreciated.
 
what is your usual morning reading? 4.3 isn't anything to be worried about unless you feel ill.. I had a 4.4 yesterday evening and was very pleased it's what I have been dreaming of. And that was after a 2 day fast which is about to become a 3 day fast today.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You say you drop at about 3am does it then go up again after that what are you when you get up. Have you had a problem at previous fasting tests
 
A liver dump should stop you going hypo as it does for all of us every day.
 
Hi
I tend to be in the low 4s at 3am. Once I was 3.4. I have a cup of tea, slice of granary toast and banana when this happens and 3 hours after I can be in the low 4s again. My diabetic nurse also told me not to eat any bananas as they put weight on lol !!!!
 
Pinkorchid said:
You say you drop at about 3am does it then go up again after that what are you when you get up. Have you had a problem at previous fasting tests
Click to expand...
Hello
I have a cup of tea, slice of toast and banana to bring it back up but it goes down again 3 hours later to 4.2. Sometimes under 4 so I can't see me being able to fast for 12 to 14 hours for the blood test. I have been low for months and when I asked the Diabetic Nurse for advice she told me to eat more carbohydrates. When I went check up yesterday she said cut out bread and potatoes etc. as I have put weight on.
 
OK.. can I ask a question.. why are you testing at 3 a.m.? do you work shifts or just wake up then? Also there's no way I would eat a banana at any time of day.. And what are your bloods when you get up assuming its at a regular time?
 
bulkbiker said:
OK.. can I ask a question.. why are you testing at 3 a.m.? do you work shifts or just wake up then? Also there's no way I would eat a banana at any time of day.. And what are your bloods when you get up assuming its at a regular time?
Click to expand...
Hi
I wake at that time to see to my husband, who is ill and needs medication and care at this time. I usually get up at 6am normally anyway and my blood is again in the low 4s. I was told by another Nurse that I could eat all fruit there were no restrictions.
 
What you can eat really depends on what you can tolerate and what food testing tells you. If you are having to eat during the night then that is not right and you need to see your doctor.. not the nurse... to discuss why you are so low at that time although many say that is not to low Are you worried it will go to lower while you are fasting for the test because I doubt that will happen your liver should take care of that . Have you got any other medical problems that can cause low blood sugar or are taking some medication
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi tommahawk62, unless you try and test fruits 2hrs after you have eaten them you will never know which fruits you can tolerate. A lot of people on here can not have fruit, some can like me tolerate a few fruits. I can have the odd pear in a week / a couple of plums a week / lots of raspberries / and water melon. Hope this has been a bit of good advice for you.

PS: Not being sarcastic but I wonder if the nurse who told you that you can eat fruit is diabetic herself, or is not trained in Diabetes.
 

Well a lot of us have been given bad advice by HCP's so that wouldn't be a surprise. I do wonder if you actually have Type 2 tho? If you are getting such low readings when you wake up and then also low after eating toast and bananas. I would do the 14 hour fast, have the test and then find out the results. You will then be much better informed as to what to do and can give us more info to help you out. I am assuming here that you aren't taking any medication for your diabetes?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…