Fasting Labs

[willieandwinnie]

Hey Guys and Gals, I thought I saw the answer to my question somewhere but the search didn't turn it up. Len and I both have to go first thing in the morning for fasting labs. Can we have black coffee before we go. I can't imagine driving in rush hours traffic without coffee. Help, time is running out. 

[charee]

Here in Aus fasting means nothing but a sip of water to take meds

[willieandwinnie]

That's not very comforting charee, but thanks for the input. 

[Chris]

I just got an updated blood work up order to get my cholesterol checked and something else. I asked if I needed to fast and the doc said yes. I thought I knew what fasting was, but now doubt I know the correct answer. I do think it is nothing to eat or drink for 12 hours and only a sip of whater is ok especially for meds. I'm gonna have to call docs office Monday to make sure what they mean by fasting. When I usually fast for my usual labs, I don't eat, but I have my decaf coffee with my cream and sweet n low.

[willieandwinnie]

I just went to our GP's website and found this... Thank God, at least black coffee.

How Do I Prepare for Fasting Labs:

Cholesterol Test - In order to determine cholesterol levels in the body, blood is drawn from your body and then examined. Patient preparation is a very important part of cholesterol measurement. In order to ensure that your test results are as accurate as possible:

Do not change your dietary habits for at least 3 weeks
Maintain a stable body weight
Fast for at least 12 hours before your test. Proper fasting means no food of any sort, except for water and possibly black coffee (without sugar) in the morning.
Avoid alcohol for 72 hours (3 days) before the day of blood drawing.

[Chris]

Oh crap!
Only black coffee, no cream or sweet n low, yuck! Sounds like a plan to get up late and rush to the lab in order not to think about coffee till after labs. Luckily they have a coffee shop in there and I can get a latte afterwards. Well maybe an espresso this time.

[charee]

Glad you can have coffee , lucky you don't live here

[willieandwinnie]

This has got to be a first for us. Len and I were both dreading going to get labs first thing this morning. Well, we got up and gone to the lab about 8:15. The lab tech did me first, easier, and then called Len back, we explained to her that he is a hard stick (no veins left), and asked if she would draw from his graft. I told her that he use to be a home-hemo patient and I drew his labs, well she handed me the little butterfly needle and said she would watch. No problems there, I stuck and she filled lab tubes. Len was so relieved. I sure hope we continue to get her. He just hates it when they have to stick him multiple times. This was a piece of cake. Done for another 3 months (I hope).

[rose1999]

That's great,glad it went OK for you both  What a great lab tech, pity they can't all be so pragmatic (rather than dogmatic!)
  (oops there goes that Sluffbunny again!)

[Chris]

This has got to be a first for us. Len and I were both dreading going to get labs first thing this morning. Well, we got up and gone to the lab about 8:15. The lab tech did me first, easier, and then called Len back, we explained to her that he is a hard stick (no veins left), and asked if she would draw from his graft. I told her that he use to be a home-hemo patient and I drew his labs, well she handed me the little butterfly needle and said she would watch. No problems there, I stuck and she filled lab tubes. Len was so relieved. I sure hope we continue to get her. He just hates it when they have to stick him multiple times. This was a piece of cake. Done for another 3 months (I hope).

That's what I like about some places like the lab I go to, they bend the rules a bit. I couldn't go get my labs done, they would be off today since I didn't have enough fluids yesterday.  Don't need any doctors calling to have me come in for IV fluids!

[del]

here it is nothing to eat or drink for 12 hours. They always ask at the lab if you have had anything.  No black coffee or anything!!!

[stauffenberg]

Interestingly, I have seen a study which showed that drinking black coffee raised cholesterol levels more than drinking coffee with cream does! 

[Psim]

I stuck and she filled lab tubes.

Brilliant! Congratulations on getting it done (and what a great tech to know when to leave it to the experts)!