What time of day do you have labs drawn?

[Mandelin]

I always try to have my labs done in the morning after fasting before work or first thing on the weekends. I always drink a couple bottles of water before. I am wondering if this is best or. If my results could be better after not fasting and really making sure I’m hydrated and go later in the day?

[Hidden]

Being hydrated is always a good idea. Certain lab tests require you to fast. When my doctors order labs I always ask and if they say to fast I go in the morning. If I don't have to fast I go when it's convenient for me. I have a 45-minute drive from my home to my doctors so as long as there are 3-4 days between labs and appointments I'm good. I also delay by a day or two if I'm not feeling well. Being ill can affect the labs for some tests. I also don't overdo any exercise for the few days prior to labs. It's important to keep a normal routine for labs.

[Mandelin in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Mr. Kidney. I’ve just always faster thinking you get better results but have never been told I have to fast. The person doing my labs always asks if I fasted. I will ask my nephrologist next time to see what he thinks.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

HI Mandelin,

The only thing I fast for is for an A1c or lipid profile. I do not have to fast for my renal panel or basic metabolic panel. I go late morning, like 11:00a, but I usually don't eat first thing in the morning generally. (I am retired, so I eat when I am hungry) But, I go easy on the coffee and creamer and I drink at least 24oz of water. What ever time you use, keep it consistent. I watch what I eat the night before and I am well rested and hydrated.

[Mandelin in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thanks Bassetmommer. I’ve been doing it first thing in the morning and just wonder if anything would improve if I tried later after I’d been up and had even more water and time for it to hydrate me. I drink enough water every day but feel I’m dehydrated by morning.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Mandelin]

I would try it and see.

[Mandelin in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thanks. I will.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to Bassetmommer]

Myself as well. I just drink a lot of water prior to the draw or urine sample.

[Allank]

I seem to fast so I can ' rig' the results , cover up for my sins

[Mandelin in reply to Allank]

Lol. I just always thought it would give me more accurate results.

[lowraind in reply to Allank]

I really do not get this. If I want to know how things are going, in my opinion, it makes more sense to carry on as usual, meaning not trying to cover up for what I may have done wrong. It's my body and my life, so I want a true picture.

[Mandelin in reply to lowraind]

I’m not trying to cover up, I eat good and drink plenty of water, I’m just wondering if I waited til later to make sure my water rehydrates me if I will get better results.

[lowraind in reply to Mandelin]

My reply was to Allank who said, "I seem to fast so I can ' rig' the results , cover up for my sins" I agree with the hydration. I read somewhere that drinking more the day before helps. However, I would be up and down all night.

[Mandelin in reply to lowraind]

I would be up all night also. I thought fasting would give good results cause I don’t know how long it takes for food and water to register in the body. I haven’t done it other than first thing in the morning so I don’t know what if any difference there may be.

[Allank in reply to lowraind]

Agreed, there was a discussion about fasting here or maybe on the cholesterol forum and someone said they never fast so he could get a true picture of wht was going on - could be a problem for some blood work that needs fasting. I am sure I will cut down even more on protein a week or 2 before the tests or delay a test if I had some ice cream. But I am only fooling myself .

[Mandelin in reply to Allank]

Yeah, I stopped going for bloodwork after holidays and vacations and started going before. I don’t do real bad but do splurge a little more during those times.

[GeeMoney in reply to Allank]

🤓

[DadviceTV]

I do my labs around noon so that I have plenty of time to recover from less water intake throughout the night, My goal is to see my real labs so that I can make adjustments to improve them with each draw. Getting them juat before noon gives me the results around 4pm so that I can better plan my dinner and meals going forward. One huge fluid tip - it takes at least 45 minutes doe fluid you drink to get into your bloodstream - so drinking a lot within 45 minutes isn’t going to help compensate for lack of fluid earlier, though it could increase your urgency to pee for your urine test.

[Mandelin in reply to DadviceTV]

That’s what I’m thinking DadviceTV. I think I’ll do it on a Saturday so I have real time to hydrate before. I usually do it when I have my ultrasound which, but think I will do them on Saturday next time. Thanks.

[vinadhun2 in reply to DadviceTV]

Wanted your advice:

I am 73 years old. All parameters normal. No protein in urine. No diabetes. No thyroid issue.

B.P. is normal.All electrolytes o.k. Only issue is creatinine which is around 1.86.I have tried everything, including Renadyl, Homeopathic medicines. I am on vegetarian diet. I eat 3 boiled eggs a day. So albumin is perfect. Creatinine has been stable for last year. It is varying between 1.75 to 1.93 and average is about 1.86.

My Nephro has said do not worry. Just keep on monitoring.May be your body has tendency to have higher Creatinine.

Any suggestion as to why Creatinine is not going down inspite of all efforts

[Mandelin in reply to vinadhun2]

You might want to start your own thread with your question and then others may have more information than I do and can answer your questions. Good luck.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador]

Hi Mandelin,

I do my labs in the morning and try to go around the same time. My PCP' s practice requires an appointment, so my last repeat thyroid labs were earlier than usual.

Yes, for regular labs, I do fast but make sure that I am well hydrated; it makes the injection of the needle easier and less painful plus, if I have to leave a spot urine sample it makes that easier.

I always submit a 24 hour catch for my nephrologist which of course will not reflect fasting.

B...

[Mandelin in reply to Bet117]

Thanks Bet117. I’ve started putting mine off a couple hours to make sure I‘be had plenty of water. My last labs a couple weeks ago showed I went up to 27 from 23. Been running 20-23 for a while. I’ve been staying away from meat. I’m not a good vegetarian/vegan cause I don’t like a lot of vegetables and now my potassium is running a little high and I had to figure out what I was eating that has caused that. Haven’t been eating the usual potassium things like potatoes, tomatoes etc. and like I said I don’t eat a lot of veggies and haven’t been eating beans, but realized how much potassium is in a lot of stuff. I work with a dietitian and I know she tries to help by giving me lists of high potassium/pho’s, but it’s very hard when it’s me who has to make the decision what to eat. I’ve always limited salt to almost none, but now I feel my choices are to incorporate more salty things, still within limit, to avoid the potassium ones. I look at recipes and the only things I keep coming back to is rice and pasta and that is getting old.

[Sca1]

I’m not required to fast. I always eat breakfast and hydrate well. I go at the same time every time- 11:00 am . I think it’s almost superstitious now, but it seems to help me!

[Mandelin in reply to Sca1]

Thanks Sca1.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador]

Hi Mandelin,

You are getting there! Staying hydrated before labs is reasonable water consumption the day before and drinking a bit extra the day of; hydration also helps with easier needle insertions.

As far as the meat; try chicken and fish ; see if that helps. The veggies also provide fiber.

I am glad that you are working with a dietician. If her suggestions are not appetizing to you; let her know and work together to come up with food suggestions and quantities which will meet your needs.

Remember that this is a process which takes time.

Being that you mentioned that your potassium was slightly elevated I did find a good article which outlines high - moderate- low potassium foods.

Take a look.

Please reach back and let us know the outcome. Food choices are good to share.

Stay safe!

Bet

eatright.org/health/disease...

[Mandelin in reply to Bet117]

Thanks Bet117. I will keep trying to find throngs to eat. I just got my labs back from yesterday and I knocked my potassium down to 4.5 from 5.1 but it’s not like I’m eating well doing it. Now have to figure out how to eat more properly and keep it down. EGR is still 27. My urologist set me up to check my labs regularly when I told him my nephrologist didn’t think it was necessary. I can go into clinic once a month to see get them done. My urologist is the best doctor, he is one that really listens. I see him every 6 months and neph every 4.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to Mandelin]

Hi Mandelin,

Gosh, don't be so hard on yourself; you are doing smashingly! What a nice drop in your potassium.

I promise that you will find a combination of foods which will be both nutritious and appetizing.

As I mentioned, it is all a process which takes time.

Many factors can play a role on your EGFR results. Hydration, lab spin, medications etc. It can vary.

I would give your urologist a call and discuss these concerns with him.

As far as the nephrologist, even if you are in the UK, Ireland, or the US, if a doctor is not communicating with you in basic terms and staying on top of things; that includes communicating with your urologist and GP

Working as a medical team; you might want to consider finding another one.

Being that you have a good relationship with your urologist, ask for a recommendation of someone that he respects and see them.

I promise that it will all work out!

Please reach out at any time. I will always reach back.

Bet 🌹

[Mandelin in reply to Bet117]

Thanks Bet117. I’ll keep trying.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to Mandelin]

No thanks ever needed!

I generally get regular labs and when needed, urine samples drawn around 11am as I found the lab empty.

My last draw was @ 9am as my PCP' s practice requires a lab appointment and they screen you for covid before you enter. That was just for blood tests, no urine.

Ask if you need to fast or not before you go. My nephrologist is amazing and lists it for me.

Everyone else - I do fast as they check my Thyroid which does require fasting.

Let me know! 🌹

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador in reply to Mandelin]

Mandelin,

One step @ a time. This is a lifestyle change and I promise that you will adapt.

My husband eats my food aside from a natural peanut butter sandwich which he takes to work so that he can eat safely in his office. Occasionally he will order boneless chicken when we were comfortable going to a restaurant as he doesn't eat fish.

It will work out. Promise!

[Mandelin]

Thanks.

[RhenDutchess123]

I dont know if it makes a difference but I usually fast...including Vitamins and meds (I go early morning) and hydrate with water only.. My Nephologist told me to get the most benefits from Lab numbers to dx....is to do them as much as possible the same way each time...however you do it

[My_Kidneys]

I was told by my Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) , Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition (CSR) yesterday, for me, not to have my lab blood drawn when I was constipated. She said the having my blood drawn when I was constipated, will show a higher phosphorus level.

[Mandelin in reply to My_Kidneys]

That’s interesting. Will have to remember that if it happens.