Fasting blood tests?

rachel90

I'm having fasting blood tests tomorrow morning but don't know what they actually check. Does it depend on why your having them or is it the same for everyone? I know they test glucose etc but don't know any more than that. Can anyone give me any other things I may be tested for?
If it helps, I'm having them because of leg/foot cramps.

Thanks, Rachel

Antimony

Cholestrol, I believe, is a fasting test too.

lessonlearned

Fasting blood tests are done for all sorts of reasons, so sorry can't help you there. Just ask them tomorrow.

However, if you've never had one before and no one has thought fit to tell you, I thought you might find the following little tip useful.

Although fasting you are allowed to drink plain water. Make sure you do because when you are dehydrated it is harder for them to get the needle into the vein and draw blood. Plenty of water will make things a lot easier.

kremmen

I have just had a fasting test for cholesterol today but I believe they test for other things.

Has your leg swelled at all ?
I suffered from dvt which was spotted by a keen gp . Just a thought.
Good luck
Paul

kremmen

lessonlearned wrote: »

Fasting blood tests are done for all sorts of reasons, so sorry can't help you there. Just ask them tomorrow.

However, if you've never had one before and no one has thought fit to tell you, I thought you might find the following little tip useful.

Although fasting you are allowed to drink plain water. Make sure you do because when you are dehydrated it is harder for them to get the needle into the vein and draw blood. Plenty of water will make things a lot easier.

+1 . I wish I had more water today.

Pincushion me ;-)

Paul

Gingernutty

Ions (like sodium and potassium), blood sugars, lipids (cholesterol and the like) and maybe a few others like thyroid/iodine levels.

If there are going to be a series of blood tests, there'll be one biggish needle in your arm and then a number of different vials plugged into/onto it.

A practiced nurse who doesn't jolt your arm every time you need a new vial is a Godsend.

rachel90

Its a re-test and they used the big needle with 3 vials last time so I expect it to be the same again. I'm useless at remembering to drink but will definitely make sure I have plenty of water in the morning.
My legs have never been swollen and the dr said that the blood flow was fine etc to my feet and toes.

I don't think my cholesterol is anything to worry about, I always think thats for older people to have problems with, I'm 21 but I guess there's no reason for that to make any difference.

I think I may have a problem with my thyroid (completely unrelated to my legs!) but was wondering whether that is a regular thing they check if it hasn't been mentioned before at all? Is it worth asking the nurse tomorrow if I can have my thyroid checked as well or are they unable to do that?

Thanks for your quick replies everyone!!

Saturnalia

Remember too you can't have tea, coffee, anthing else containing caffeine or any drink with sugar in before the test. Stick to plain water!

rachel90

Saturnalia wrote: »

Remember too you can't have tea, coffee, anthing else containing caffeine or any drink with sugar in before the test. Stick to plain water!

Yeah I will be, I'm not a big coffee/tea drinker so doesn't affect me in the mornings. Just struggle with being hungry....makes me so miserable lol

jenniewb

rachel90 wrote: »

I don't think my cholesterol is anything to worry about, I always think thats for older people to have problems with, I'm 21 but I guess there's no reason for that to make any difference.

I think I may have a problem with my thyroid (completely unrelated to my legs!) but was wondering whether that is a regular thing they check if it hasn't been mentioned before at all? Is it worth asking the nurse tomorrow if I can have my thyroid checked as well or are they unable to do that?

Thanks for your quick replies everyone!!

I've been tested a few times for thyroid issues, more related to gyno stuff (periods gone AWOL for months or too heavy and twice a month and so testing thyroid to check its not at fault!) I didn't have to fast for either and they were done pretty much any time I wanted I just had to show up any time so don't know if it would be a requirement to fast for that- perhaps there are other issues?

You can have cholesteral issues being young though- if your over or under weight it can mean your body stops working properly, I know for a fact if your very underweight its normal for your cholestral to be sky high- it can be put right but its to do with the hormones in the body not working properly. Similarly it can happen if your over weight and I'd imagine its rare but if your a normal weight but for whatever reason your body isn't working properly it could always be a risk- though rare!

rachel90 wrote: »

Yeah I will be, I'm not a big coffee/tea drinker so doesn't affect me in the mornings. Just struggle with being hungry....makes me so miserable lol

I just wanted to add- if you add milk or sugar this would count as a food and would go against your fasting if fasting has been specified!

Glycose testing I was told was one of the reasons for blood test fasting though no idea how it works as I've only had to do it once and that was because my GP at the time was very negligent and veered on disturbing (this was one of many things that actually got him struck off -though not just about me but many other patients too! Sorry, I digress!!)

Hope the tests get you some answers.

pmduk

There's a useful site here to find information about many medical tests. It's worth bookmarking.