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Hba1c question

I

IrishNan

Member
Messages
20
Location
East Midlands
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
I have had some wonderful support from this site, can I ask another question

Recently I had a blood test and the Hba1c was noted as 48. I had fasted for this blood test
likely from 10pm the night before to 8.30am when I was tested next day
Will this have any bearing on the result as I have read on your web site that there is no need to
fast for this test.
I have another blood test first thing in the morning in a couple of weeks but again I will not feel like eating
until I get home. I am not a good breakfast eater on some days.
Thank you
 
IrishNan said:
I have had some wonderful support from this site, can I ask another question

Recently I had a blood test and the Hba1c was noted as 48. I had fasted for this blood test
likely from 10pm the night before to 8.30am when I was tested next day
Will this have any bearing on the result as I have read on your web site that there is no need to
fast for this test.
I have another blood test first thing in the morning in a couple of weeks but again I will not feel like eating
until I get home. I am not a good breakfast eater on some days.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Hi
No the fasting will have had extremely limited effect on the HbA1c... it is recommended for cholesterol tests though.
The HbA1c is an average of your blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months so a few hours of fasting won't have an impact.
 
I always fast now if I’m going for an HbA1c test not because fasting is necessary for them, but because the blood testers in my surgery have a habit of chucking other tests in for good measure! Even if you don’t feel like eating beforehand, try to drink plenty, it makes your veins easier to access.
 
bulkbiker said:
Hi
No the fasting will have had extremely limited effect on the HbA1c... it is recommended for cholesterol tests though.
The HbA1c is an average of your blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months so a few hours of fasting won't have an impact.
Click to expand...
thank you
 
Rachox said:
I always fast now if I’m going for an HbA1c test not because fasting is necessary for them, but because the blood testers in my surgery have a habit of chucking other tests in for good measure! Even if you don’t feel like eating beforehand, try to drink plenty, it makes your veins easier to access.
Click to expand...


thank you for your advice
 
As said above, you can either fast or not fast for the HbA1c. It makes no difference. However, I suggest you do fast for the next one, at least by 10 to 12 hours of no food or drink other than water before the test - and plenty of water. This is because they are likely to include a cholesterol test, which it is necessary to fast for if you want accurate results. Was your cholesterol tested this time?
 
I have also been advised to avoid eating any red meat in the preceding 12 hours before HbA1c tests.
 
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