Fasting blood sugar test

[Kesari]

I have to give blood sample for diabetic sugar check up. It is a fasting test so I have to fast for 12 hours. I find this hard. Most of the time the doctor let me have nonfasting test when I tell them that I might get a hypo if I try it. But this time I find hard to get hold of understanding ear. Do I give a nonfasting test after all and what might be the consequances in the readings?

JR

[Theziggy]

Are you on insulin? If not it is very unlikely that as a Type 2 you will hypo, if your body thinks it is going hypo it will do a liver dump which will put some sugar in your bloodstream to counteract the hypo.

Though if the fast is done mainly overnight e.g 9 p.m. to 9 a.m which we do normally anyway without any hypos, it shouldn't be any problem anyway.

BTW The fasting is for the Cholesterol part of the test not the HbA1C as that averages out your BG levels for the past three months not just the last 12 hours (not quite averages but something similar)

[Kesari in reply to Theziggy]

Thanks for your reply and interest. I have an awkward lifestyle as I keep awake all night and sleep in the morning time. Anyhow the GP has agreed to nonfasting test depending on the outcome.

[oiseau222]

When I do a fasting test, I end my meal at 6 or 6:30 p.m. and go to the lab first thing in the morning. It's easier to fast in the evening, since I'm asleep for much of the time.

Are you going to take a fasting gucose tolerance test? This differs from a simple fasting test. In the former, you need to be fasting before they give you the glucose drink.

[Kesari in reply to oiseau222]

Thanks for your advice. I have awkward lifestyle and 6 to 6 does not suit me. My GP has agreed for test without strict fasting provided the result are not bad.

[Hidden]

If you are on steroids & are diabetic (I have diabetes 11from steroid use over 12 years) even tho they contain a naturally produced hormone- cortisone, at higher levels it's likely your body will stop producing it - the reason you have to slowly taper off them, allowing your body to kick start production again, the only way to get a clear reading of what your glucose level is & if they've messed with your pancreas (where insulines produced) is for you not to have food /drink for 12 hours before the test, (other than water to take meds) but if you do feel the need to eat, I'm sure if you contact your GP they may suggest a plain dry cracker. But Cholesterol / liver function is the first thing they want a clear reading of in a fasting test, I take either a piece of fruit or snack with me to eat as soon as I'm done, or I pop in the restaurant. Good luck with your test.

[Kesari in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your thoughts and comments. My GP will accept fast less reading if it is not bad overall

[Hidden in reply to Kesari]

I got a telling off by a rather 'ignorant' nurse whilst taking blood during a fast test. I said that as per usual for me, I'd had 2/3 sips of weak black unsweetened coffe to take somE meds & she tried her best to convince me that there's cholesterol in that!! Hmmm, I was in nursing 40 plus yrs ago (when I had the industrial accident that caused a trauma reaction & started off my descent into ill health. She spoke down to me as if I were the unknowing one, but I've been faced with this type of 'power' reaction too often to let it slide by this time. (I kept up with studies & research ever since even tho I could never,work again) So, what I'm saying is, certain foods like dry crackers or similar won't be enough to alter blood glucose or cholesterol result. A lot of people that rely on meds also have to still eat rather than fast, as many meds have to be taken with food, & they are,usually essential meds-so, with chronic long term illness', You become the 'expert' on your own illness / disease & the limitations that restrict your life each day, so go with how you Know your system will react, trust that developing relationship that's developing between you & the disease, respect it, don't abuse it & it should guide you, & pre-warn you, so what I'm babbling on about is, take no notice if you do get a gobby phlebotomist, she's a nurse, & deserves our respect for her career choice, but 'you' are an expert in the making- under advisement when needed!

[Kesari]

Thanks Babzan. you heat a nail on head when saying we know better about our illness than others. This is because there are some aspects like social interaction etc which the doctors and nurses are not aware. However I respect their technical knowhow like the nurse this time showed me the graph on computer screen of my diabetic wavering control and my weight graph as well which prompted me to be aware and careful about diabetic care.