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Just looking for info.

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Cleo

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Hi

My name is Cleo and I have a 19 year old daughter who has various problems and recently she has been collapsing, the paramedics say her blood sugar level is dangerously low and the gp has boked her for the blood test. I need to know if she should eat before it or not and how long the results take. Sorry for asking questions that are probably obvious but I am in the dark.

Thanks fo any help you can give.

Cleo
 
I would ring and ask the GP if he wants her to fast before the test, maybe the nurse or receptionist would be able to answer your question. Better to ask than guess
 
I wouldn't wish to give sound advice on something like this as I feel you should consult the GP. However my experience and knowledge is that last time I did a fasting blood test I fainted as my sugars dropped too low. I spoke to the nurse and informed her I was diabetic and she informed me that the doctor had made a mistake. The reasons doctor's ask for a fasting blood test is because they say they get more accurate results with regards to red blood cell count etc. however in the case of diabetics it should not be done. Somebody I know has low blood sugar from time to time and I advised her that she should always carry glucose tablets with her as she can suddenly go really low and it is dangerous. She isn't diabetic however. Once she collapsed outside a nightclub and the bouncers asked me to take her away as they wrongly assumed she was too drunk. I informed them she had a glucose intolerance and they were to leave her alone. They wouldn't listen so, due to their nonchalance, I lied to them as it was difficult for me to explain to them about the condition and said she was diabetic and I needed to wake her up to give her sugar straight away otherwise an ambulance would have to be called. Sure enough when she awoke, she was very pale and her blood glucose was low and I had some glucose on me so told her she needed it. I can't remember what condition it is called but it was similar to diabetes in the fact that hypoglyceamia can take place, however unfortunately it cannot be controlled very well sometimes. I suggest starchy meals in the mornings for her and that she always takes glucose energy tablets or lucozade with her until you are able to find the correct diagnosis.
 
Hi Rach,
It's not just to get a more accurate result that some tests have to be fasting ones. A lipid profile test for example (which is often done alongside an HBA1C) can only be done as a a fasting test.
 
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