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Honored Contributor
Posts: 42,517
Registered: ‎08-23-2010

NEED FEEDBACK ON FASTING BEFORE BLOOD DRAW

 

Tomorrow I have an 11:30am appt for blood work, and the order says fast for the 12 hours before.  Just water.

 

I can't sleep on an empty stomach and was planning to have a small bottle of protein shake tonight at 11pm.

 

Will this throw off the results of my results?  Or is fasting for 12 hours beforehand the same, regardless of what I ate 13 hours ago?

Honored Contributor
Posts: 73,308
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: NEED FEEDBACK ON FASTING BEFORE BLOOD DRAW

@Tinkrbl44   Won't you eat dinner in the evening?  Your stomach will not be empty until morning.

 

I always make appointments for tests requiring fasting for as early as possible then go enjoy a nice breakfast.

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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,083
Registered: ‎10-26-2010

Re: NEED FEEDBACK ON FASTING BEFORE BLOOD DRAW

[ Edited ]

@Tinkrbl44. In my experience a 12 hour fast is just that.  Nothing to eat or drink 12 hours prior to the test, with the exception of water.  You can eat up until that point.  I wouldn't chance a protein shake within your fasting period.  Depending on why a 12 hr fast is needed, your shake very well could alter some results.  Drinking water prior to your lab draw will make your veins easier to draw from.  Good luck.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,050
Registered: ‎03-15-2021

Re: NEED FEEDBACK ON FASTING BEFORE BLOOD DRAW

I have always eaten anything I want prior to the beginning of the 12 hour fast. A steak dinner at Ruth's Chris at 11:00 pm would be fine provided you finished eating prior to 11:30. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 15,649
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

Re: NEED FEEDBACK ON FASTING BEFORE BLOOD DRAW

I would drink that a couple hours before you go to bed like 9 pm instead of 11 so you should be ok on 12 hrs no food. I thought it took 4 hours to digest food. Your protein shake would digest sooner.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,172
Registered: ‎10-19-2012

Re: NEED FEEDBACK ON FASTING BEFORE BLOOD DRAW

Why did you schedule the test so late in the morning?  When I get blood drawn I usually schedule it no later than 8:00 a.m.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,327
Registered: ‎03-19-2010

Re: NEED FEEDBACK ON FASTING BEFORE BLOOD DRAW

Isn't the 11 pm protein shake outside of the 12 hour fast period for an 11:30 am blood draw?  I see nothing wrong with that.

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Honored Contributor
Posts: 31,571
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: NEED FEEDBACK ON FASTING BEFORE BLOOD DRAW

Hydration is essential for a blood draw, drink lots of water for a few hours before the test.  I would think the shake is Ok if you have it at least 12 hours prior to the blood draw. 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,031
Registered: ‎10-04-2010

Re: NEED FEEDBACK ON FASTING BEFORE BLOOD DRAW

@On It   well depending on what the doctor is looking to find from your blood work, I would think a steak would certainly cause a spike in your lipid panel.  

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,031
Registered: ‎10-04-2010

Re: NEED FEEDBACK ON FASTING BEFORE BLOOD DRAW

@Tinkrbl44    A protein shake will definitely not be desirable if it's not taken before the 12 hour fast