A Fasting Blood Test

[Smowball]

I have a blood test in the morning for which I have to fast. One receptionist said to fast from midnight and the other said from 9pm. cant get to speak to the doctor so which do you think sounds about right?And no im not going to eat that late anyway but it also means I can only drink water from whatever time it is.....

[MyBlackHen]

I have these regularly, and it's approx 12 hours before the test.

[LazyGun]

Typically, they would want at least a 12 hour fast Smow - so 12 hours from whenever your blood test is going to be.

There is some leeway, but I would err on the side of caution, if only to save being turned away and told to come back in another day :)

[Smowball]

Ahh, ok then - blood test is 8.20am. Though god know why is takes 10 days for the results to be available!

[mallyh]

yes 12 hours i have them quite often

[Old_Geezer]

You have to watch out as you can fast for too long too.

[Smowball]

Hmmm, so a G & T nightcap is out of the question then? ; )

[smurfchops]

Yes smowball! Just water..

[lcg]

10 days?! is it sent by snail mail? mine do bloods in 3-5 days depending on the problem. don't know why - if you are in hospital, it takes about 3 hours. but 10 days is ridiculous x

[slaney]

...or by carrier pigeon maybe!
I have no idea why patients are still told it will be 7-10 days before the results are available
Even in the 1980s the hard copy took two days to reach the surgery; now most routine blood tests, if received in the lab before 2 pm, will be available to be seen online after 5 o'clock the same day. Only a few of the more time consuming tests will take longer.
I suspect some GP practices are not as good as others in getting the daily inflow of test results sorted and authorized.

[Smowball]

Our surgery is terrible is giving results. No way does it take 10 days!