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To fast or not to fast for a blood test, that is my question?

bulkbiker said:
It takes practise.. if you are used to having breakfast try moving the time you have it an hour later and later into the day over a week... by the end of it you'll have skipped breakfast entirely and can start with lunch!
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Sometimes I can go without breakfast , but most mornings I am really hungry lol. I could take my breakfast to my mums and eat an hour later there as I am her carer and get to hers around 8.30 each morning .

I'll give it a go :)
Thanks
 
bulkbiker said:
If all previous tests have been done fasted then surely for consistency the new tests should be done under the same conditions or the results would not be comparable?
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The recommendations changed in 2014 so that non-HDL-C should be reported instead of LDL-C. If someone compares a recent non-HDL-C result to a previous LDL- C result, they won't be comparing the same things, even if they were fasted for both of them. https://labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/lipid-profile

Regarding triglycerides, the same site says:-

Previously, fasting for 12 hours was recommended, as triglycerides increase after a meal for several hours. However, studies now show that readings after a meal are just as useful as fasting levels. There may be instances where your doctor recommends having the sample taken when fasting, so follow their advice.
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Dark Horse said:
The recommendations changed in 2014 so that non-HDL-C should be reported instead of LDL-C. If someone compares a recent non-HDL-C result to a previous LDL- C result, they won't be comparing the same things, even if they were fasted for both of them. https://labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/lipid-profile

Regarding triglycerides, the same site says:-

Previously, fasting for 12 hours was recommended, as triglycerides increase after a meal for several hours. However, studies now show that readings after a meal are just as useful as fasting levels. There may be instances where your doctor recommends having the sample taken when fasting, so follow their advice.
​
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Odd as my last 2018 test had Trig, LDL and HDL all reported separately.. so I guess that news didn't reach darkest West Sussex.. But then again as I had fasted I asked for a full lipid panel and got it.

Anyone who has researched cholesterol would know that a non-HDL-C shows something diff to LDL-C . Although both are probably equally meaningless.
 
WackyJacky64 said:
I've got my annual blood test this month and told to fast , the appointment is at 11 am and know i will feel really sicky from lack of food . I hate alte appointments for the test as I am really rubbish at going hungry .
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Why not make an appointment for 8:30 say?
 
Jim Lahey said:
Someone probably figured out that testing lipids non-fasted increased the prevalence of statin prescriptions or something :shifty:
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I was kinda thinking the same thing.... possibly the same kind of thinking of prescribing a statin just because someone is diabetic, but who knows.
 
WackyJacky64 said:
I've got my annual blood test this month and told to fast , the appointment is at 11 am and know i will feel really sicky from lack of food . I hate alte appointments for the test as I am really rubbish at going hungry .
Click to expand...
Mr_Pot said:
Why not make an appointment for 8:30 say?
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The pathology shop I go to opens at 6:00 am Monday to Saturday, I get there around 6:30 when the rush has died down and I am out by a bit after 7:00.

There is no appointment needed for the hba1c / lipids tests, just a GP blood test request form.

Qghrums.jpg
 
I only fast for blood tests when specifically asked to. Recent annual hba1c with diabetes nurse, wasn’t a fasting blood test.
 
Several posts in this thread have been deleted for derailment. If those discussing the wider effectiveness of statins and/or GP incentives/motivations for prescribing them would like to continue the discussion, please start a new thread.
 
WackyJacky64 said:
I've got my annual blood test this month and told to fast , the appointment is at 11 am and know i will feel really sicky from lack of food . I hate alte appointments for the test as I am really rubbish at going hungry .
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And this is a major reason why it’s changed to non fasting i believe. To ensure compliance, e attending for the test and knowing under what conditions it was taken. I would assume people either didn’t have the test due to reasons like yours or took a “fasted” test whilst failing to fast properly therefore giving results that did not reflect the true conditions claimed.
 
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