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Regular blood tests for T2s - fasting?

Are your blood tests fasting and show fasting blood glucose?

  • Not fasting

    Votes: 3 50.0%

  • Fasting but no blood glucose result

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Fasting with blood glucose results

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Fasting with blood glucose and lipid results

    Votes: 3 50.0%
  • Total voters
    6
LittleGreyCat

LittleGreyCat

Well-Known Member
Retired Moderator
Messages
4,433
Location
Suffolk, UK
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Diet drinks - the artificial sweeteners taste vile.
Having to forswear foods I have loved all my life.
Trying to find low carb meals when eating out.
There is a very interesting thread ongoing about using blood test results to estimate if you have Insulin Resistance.

However this relies on Fasting Blood Glucose and Triglycerides being in the blood test results.

I have created a poll to investigate this (apparently I can't create both an explanation like this and a poll as one item). Edit: Apparently I can but it doesn't show up in the preview!

I have tried to structure the poll so that only one category is suitable for the IR calculation.

I have been specific about the lipids because my surgery has recently changed to not testing for lipids (money saving?) as a matter of course, but only if there is a significant change expected.
 
My tests are not fasting. There's no glucose result apart from the HbA1c, then I get lipids (including trigs), liver and kidney function plus general red and white cell counts.
 
Only had one. It was non fasting and the dn has said that they do not routinely offer fasting bloods unless there is a sufficient clinical need. I think me being interested would not be a sufficient need!
 
Only had my most recent regular bloods taken on Tuesday so don't have the results yet, but the previous test had HbA1c and lipid profile. Urine samples are sent away by the DN at the review appointment.

I usually fast for the diabetic blood tests and up to now I've always been asked whether I have eaten anything by the phlebotomist, there seems to be a tick box on the labels my practice puts on the samples.
 
The NICE recommendation is not to fast. I doubt there will be many that do fasting tests post diagnosis. In fact, my surgery doesn't do fastings even pre-diagnosis. Everyone gets an HbA1c.

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg181/chapter/2-Implementation-getting-started

Non-high density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol is seen to be a better cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk indicator than low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. It is more accurate, more practical and cost effective. A fasting blood sample is not needed. This is more convenient for patients and may reduce the need for additional blood samples. Those requesting lipid profiles for their patients – such as GPs, practice nurses and community pharmacists – may need to change their practice. Laboratories may also need to change their reporting procedures.

Personally, I always fast because of the difference it makes to the Trigs. A random Trigs test is meaningless as it depends wholly on what you last ate. I just get the HbA1c and all the usual stuff including full lipid profile and trigs.
 
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