I have fasting blood tests. This time my apt is for a normal test. Do I take my meds the night before? Aren't these tests always fasting?

[Myrna]

Is the test a mistake and should have been fasting?

[Fruitandnutcase]

Depends what all they are testing. Maybe they are testing something extra that needs fasting and that you haven't had done in the past.

It used to be if I was having cholesterol done with my other things I always had a fasting blood test, I always trephined to get first appointment which was 8.30 so it wasn't too bad.

Eventually I just left things and took my meds after the bloods were taken and scrapped the gap between my thyroxine and everything else. It wasn't as if I did that often. Hope that's some help for you.

[shaws Administrator]

I have never fasted before a thyroid gland blood test but this link suggests it may be worthwile and to have it as early as possible:-

thyroid.about.com/od/gettes...

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to shaws]

That's a very interesting article. I always had my bloods done as early as I could, only because I wanted to get it over as early as possible to save having to wait in a queue.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

This older post is highly relevant to the time issues:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

But not to the fasting...

Rod

[shaws Administrator in reply to helvella]

Yes, it another interesting post.

[silverfox7 in reply to shaws]

Have just posted below on what the nurse said to me about fasting but just read your link. Think either I've not woken up yet but can't get my head round how it affects me. My new GP is learning a little about the thyroid (!) but now Dr Skinner is no longer able to be blamed if something goes wrong-yes she actually said that

-then despite the fact I've told her I'm a lot better after supplementing she now wants my TSH to be measurable though happy if its rock bottom of range but has asked me to stop my supplements to improve my TSH. not sure where she got that idea from! So can't work out from the article you recommended whether I should fast or eat a six course meal. I'm reading it that to keep my TSH measureable I need to eat. Is that right? I currently take my meds on an evening so will miss the night before

[silverfox7]

I wouldn't take your meds the night before, you could well get a spike at the time of your blood test. At my last test I commented to the nurse that it was fasting. At that time I was taking my meds on a morning so I was bite I g taking my meds straight after but then leaving an hour before I had a late breakfast. She said that I should always let her know if I had fasted so she could tick the box on the form. She said often thyroid tests don't specify testing but if the labs not happy with the results they then ask for a fasting one. If they already know that's what the sample is then it saves a retest. So I deduced from that that's its better to fast anyway.

[Myrna in reply to silverfox7]

Thank you everyone for your help.

[Issy]

Cholesterol and blood sugars are always fasting. Other blood tests arent. What meds? If thyroid meds then personally I wouldnt - I'd take them after the bloods have been taken.