fasting before blood test ?

[yvonneu]

I think I mentioned this in a previous post that when I had my last blood tests regarding B12, I was not told that I should fast beforehand.

Some people on here mentioned that this was necessary.

Anyone shed any light on this ?

Thank you.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Its not something that I've come across - recently saw someone post on TUK that folate needed to be a fasting test - though I hadn't come across that either.

looking through the information on labtestsonline does include this statement

Is any test preparation needed to ensure the quality of the sample?

Fasting for 6-8 hours before sample collection may be required. Certain medicines may affect the test results; your healthcare provider will advise you on which ones to stop taking. Ask your health practitioner or lab for specific instructions.

labtestsonline.org/understa...

so, about as clear as mud, but does rather imply that unless you have been advised that you need to fast then you don't.

[yvonneu in reply to Gambit62]

i take seven tablets a day so would've thought I should have fasted beforehand ?

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to yvonneu]

seven tablets of what? if its B12 you'd need to have not taken them for a lot longer than a day - and probably likely to be the same with folate.

Really you need to contact whoever has arrange the test to check if any of your medication needs to be stopped.

[yvonneu]

I take Amlopodine..Metformin....Calceos...Simvastatin and Amitrptyline. I was on Ramipril but had a severe allergic reaction to it (swollen tongue etc} so I can no longer take any ace inhibitors.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to yvonneu]

I really can't say for sure but if you weren't told that you needed to stop taking anything then the I doubt that taking any of them is going to affect the results of the test.

Although metformin and statins can have adverse effects on B12 levels (some statins don't) I would think it unlikley that any of the drugs you are on would affect the assay but I'm really not an expert in this field - all I can really suggest is that you double check before the test is done - though suspect they'll be a bit flummoxed as well.

[yvonneu in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to yvonneu]

hope it goes well