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HbA1C test question

Karen.G.

Karen.G.

Well-Known Member
Messages
251
Location
Leeds
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi guys

I have a stupid question and keep getting confusing information.

I am Type II on Insulin Novomix and Metformin. I have to go for my HbA1C test next week and my question is: is this a fasting blood test?

My friend is also Type II and she just had hers done and it was fasting - but to be honest I can say that I have never fasted before having my test - what is right?

Thanks for any help.

Karen
 
If they are just doing an HBA1c, it is not a fasting test.

Some people, myself included, get sent for a routine set of tests where several things are measured, some of which required fasting as well as having a HBA1c test.

When you get multiple tests, they only take one sample but the sample goes to, usually, the haematology dept and to the biochemistry dept.
 
Thank you - I was getting kind've confused :)

I wonder why it's different for certain people :( That's the second Type II person I know who has had a fasting blood test. Any ideas?

Thank you Yorksman - that makes sense.
 
Hi Karen,
I was told that I needed to fast for my Cholesterol test, but not if I was just getting my Hba1c checked.
Hope your test goes well.
 
I have always had to fast for cholesterol tests but last time I didn't have to. Before they used to do a lipid profile with LDL, HDL and triglycerides, now they just do a total cholesterol. The former requires fasting, the latter does not.
 
As already posted fasting blood tests are usually only done for a full lipid panel (cholesterol) and less frequently for a fasting blood glucose test but if you have not been told to fast then assume you dont have to.
 
Karen.G. said:
I wonder why it's different for certain people :( That's the second Type II person I know who has had a fasting blood test. Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Well for me it was because I had a heart problem ten years ago so they run an annual set of checks. It was because of those tests that they picked up my diabetes. I didn't go to the doctor complaining of any symptoms, it was just spotted. But the other tests were or primary importance, the diabetes of secondary importance. Most of the tests in my case are to make sure that the heart medications are not damaging my organs.

Personally I blame Mary Poppins "Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down" 20 spoons of sugar is a lot first thing in the morning :-)
 
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