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Why do we need to fast before a HbA1c?!

if the HbA1c test is for a long term reading, why the need to fast the night before??
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Probably so they can check your fasting blood sugar, at the same time :)

Get two different readings for the price of one, a sort of BOGOF via the NHS :D

Geoff
 
Are you being tested for something else at the same time perhaps? My daughter gets her HbA1c done at clinic and doesn't need to fast for it.
 
I've never specifically had to fast for my HBA1C.

But have had to fast for fasting lipids, having said that would the fact that I have fasted have an effect on my HBA1C ?

Lucy. :?
 
You definitely don't have to fast for an HbA1c, but as said, they may be doing something like a cholesterol test at the same time. Just as likely, the doc/nurse doesn't KNOW you don't have to fast for an HbA1c. Mine swore blind I had to until I made him check it out, then he agreed with me!
 
Thanks for the input all, yes, I am guessing it will be a cholesterol test at same time. I agree its a BOGOF jobbie :D

I do wonder though if the medical staff at the surgery actually know you don't need to fast for this test .....
 
Even though you don't need to fast for this test, it's always a good idea to get fasting lipids or other tests done at the same time. So I think it's doesn't matter whether staff know or don't know.

I doubt that fasting has any effect on HbA1c because it's a measure of a chemical produced in response to glucose levels over time. The effect of the preceding 12 hours or so would be miniscule.

It's also a good idea to get a lab-tested fasting BG occasionally from a vein, as our home testing is from capillaries, and it's also on different testing equipment. Doctors usually place more store on lab equipment than on our meters.
 
I understand that it isn't actually necessary to fast for a cholesterol test either. Apparently this was established a few years ago but hasn't yet percolated through to everyone.
 
Unbeliever said:
I understand that it isn't actually necessary to fast for a cholesterol test either. Apparently this was established a few years ago but hasn't yet percolated through to everyone.
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I'd want to see the guidelines on that. It seems logical that fasting would give a more accurate reading. In NZ, you can download each lab's guidelines on things like this - is that possible in the UK? If not, there must be a medical college that publishes guidelines, such as the professional body for pathologists.
 
here in Australia they want you to fast for it..... I had mine done this week but I had to have some juice to prevent my sugars dropping even further. Despite my careful planning, my BGL still managed to do the wrong thing on me. :lol: But when I went for the test I told them that I'd had some juice, how much, and when and they wrote it down too.... I did get a bit concerned at one point by look on the nurses face... but she carried on with getting my bloods anyhow.
 
Unbeliever said:
I understand that it isn't actually necessary to fast for a cholesterol test either. Apparently this was established a few years ago but hasn't yet percolated through to everyone.
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My surgery doesn't do fasting tests for cholestrol - you can request a fasting chol test if your total is 5.5 or over but routinely they prefer that if you are diabetic that you keep to your own personal daily routine as much as possible- they also don't "push" statins onto you just because you are diabetic or you have a reading under 5 (as a woman)- this to me seems sensible - why put someone through the whole fasting thing and messing about with their regime - as my reading last time was 4.2 and my blood pressure was 104/61 I see no reason for me to have a fasting test - but if that changes in the future I know that I can get the necessary done :)
 
lovinglife said:
Unbeliever said:
I understand that it isn't actually necessary to fast for a cholesterol test either. Apparently this was established a few years ago but hasn't yet percolated through to everyone.
Click to expand...

My surgery doesn't do fasting tests for cholestrol - you can request a fasting chol test if your total is 5.5 or over but routinely they prefer that if you are diabetic that you keep to your own personal daily routine as much as possible- they also don't "push" statins onto you just because you are diabetic or you have a reading under 5 (as a woman)- this to me seems sensible - why put someone through the whole fasting thing and messing about with their regime - as my reading last time was 4.2 and my blood pressure was 104/61 I see no reason for me to have a fasting test - but if that changes in the future I know that I can get the necessary done :)
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I like the approach your surgery is taking, esp. re statins. Fasting is a disruption for any diabetic so IMHO there should be a sound reason for doing it. I still haven't looked up any guidelines on this but I'm keeping an open mind. I don't usually eat anything before my lab opens at 7.30 anyway, so fasting isn't a problem for me. Fasting before surgery - now that's a completely different story :)
 
flinders said:
I'm confused over this, if the HbA1c test is for a long term reading, why the need to fast the night before??
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Unless they are checking your cholesterol and doing a lipid breakdown then there is no need to fast for a Hba1c test.
 
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