Is it necessary to fast prior to doing a full iron panel test?

[J972]

Does anyone know whether the results are adversely affected by eating and drinking prior to drawing blood for an iron panel test? I’m talking at home, finger prick testing.

Thanks.

[FallingInReverse]

One thing for certain, you can’t eat any iron rich foods the day before. Serum Iron results are actually pretty fast moving, and eating anything with iron will skew the results.

I don’t think (?) there is any standard guidance to fast, but for consistency and to remove any unknown variables, I always do personally.

[J972 in reply to FallingInReverse]

Thanks. Yeah I’d heard about abstaining from iron rich food beforehand.

You’re probably right about not risking it. 😊

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Generally the advice for consistent results is to test early morning with only water to drink between waking and test

But if necessary a bowl of cereal or porridge or something probably wouldn’t hurt

But definitely don’t eat a “full English breakfast “

[J972]

Thanks Slowdragon, I’ll do it in the morning!

[HealthStarDust]

I have read that vitamin C can affect results, so I generally avoid my supplement a few days before even though it’s water soluble.

[J972 in reply to HealthStarDust]

Thanks very much for that. I suppose it makes sense given that it’s recommended that we take vitamin C with iron to aid absorption.