when going for blood test how long do we stay off supplements for?

[Gemmab1982]

I’m due a blood test mid dec, and I need to know how long do I need to stay off supplements for

Vit d better you spray, Biotin? Iron ? B12? And any other supplements that might effect my blood test thanks 😊

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Its only supplements of or containing biotin that are an issue which usually means any B complex.

You need to stop biotin 3-5 days before your blood test, make a note in your calendar. Anything else you can take right up until the day before.

if you are vegan or vegetarian its recommended to take a separate B12 & folate during the time you stop the B complex.

[Gemmab1982 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thanks I’m being tested for iron, b12, folate, ferritin. And vit d, as well as my thyroid bloods test so am I ok to take vit d and b12 before I have my blood test

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Gemmab1982]

Yes. Everything except b complex.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Jaydee1507]

if you are vegan or vegetarian its recommended to take a separate B12 & folate during the time you stop the B complex.

Personally I think everyone should do this ….not just vegetarian or vegan

[Gemmab1982 in reply to SlowDragon]

No I’m either I’m a meat eater!! All my supplements are separate apart from b complex

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Gemmab1982]

So in week before test, when you stop vitamin B complex take a daily methyl folate supplement and separate B12 supplement

[humanbean]

I always stay off iron for a week before a blood test, and also avoid high iron meals for 2 or 3 days before testing. I don't avoid iron altogether - I try and keep my intake "average for me"

Depending on absorption of iron, some people can find that supplements or high iron food can boost iron and ferritin in the blood quite substantially but only for brief periods because they then excrete what they've taken in.

By leaving iron supplements off for a week you can see what your body is actually hanging on to, which is the most important thing to know.

It is also suggested that people do iron/ferritin testing in the morning before breakfast i.e. follow the same instructions on the day as you would for thyroid testing.