Fasting Required..

jessimacar
jessimacar Posts: 291
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I went to the doctor's today and she told me I would need to have blood taken to see if I am diabetic, or if I have a thyroid problem. In order to get this blood work done, I will need to fast the day before until I get my blood taken so they can check my blood sugar levels.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to survive a long fast like that.. I know there are religious fasts, and cleansing fasts, etc.. I figure someone on here must know how to do it without dying of hunger halfway through.. Any help would be great! Thanks!!

Replies

  • Naomi91
    Naomi91 Posts: 892 Member
    I have done a few fasts just for the experience ( a bit wierd I know, but I am a nutrition major and want to learn by doing]

    I have done the master cleanse fast, altho this is not the proper time for that one xD

    And I have done just a water fast ( which definately drained me of energy but i got through it!
    My tips to you: Drink so much water! all day sip on water. hungry? eat some ice cubes! Add a bit of lemon or lime to the water/ice for flavor and helps keep you full because ofthe acid. Good luck! :]
  • nikki91950
    nikki91950 Posts: 647
    drink lots and lots and lots and lots of fluids! do you drink carbonated beverages? carbonation helps to keep me filled up more than water does :)
  • MCS64
    MCS64 Posts: 126
    Isn't it just a 12 hour fast? Thats all I've ever had to do for blood test.
  • HealthyishWithMaggieG
    HealthyishWithMaggieG Posts: 397 Member
    I thought they usually just had you stop eating by midnight, the night before. They want you to not eat the entire day before? That seems a bit extreme and like they should have given you some guidelines to follow. Even if you just drink juices, that's still going to affect your blood sugar level. I'd call them back to get some clarification and see what they have to say about what you can and can't have.
  • seemichellerun
    seemichellerun Posts: 219
    Double check with your doctor. Most fasts for blood work are for only 12 hours.
  • xarrium
    xarrium Posts: 432 Member
    Double check with your doctor. Most fasts for blood work are for only 12 hours.

    I agree--I'm not sure it's medically sound to tell someone to go on a fast longer than 12 hours, especially if there's the possibility of blood sugar imbalance.
  • Berkeley94
    Berkeley94 Posts: 1
    Fasting means no food for 8 hrs prior to blood draw. Fast from 8 pm after evening meal to 8 am when you have the blood drawn. You won't miss a thing. J
  • kewkdb
    kewkdb Posts: 207 Member
    Isn't it just a 12 hour fast? Thats all I've ever had to do for blood test.

    Yeah, I've always been told don't eat after 10 and the schedule the appointment for like 10-12 the next day.
  • jessimacar
    jessimacar Posts: 291
    No it's not "all day". But a better portion of the day, since my appointment is early to mid afternoon. I'm less worried about the day before, more so the morning of.. I'm going to be so hungry! I can't have juices or anything.. I probably have to work before I go.. So in the end it'll equal almost 24 hours.. Eek!!

    She told me to start the evening before around 8..
  • Rynatat
    Rynatat Posts: 807 Member
    If you can, for the 2 days prior, try to stick to VERY simple foods & beverages. Stick to broiled/grilled skinless chicken or fish (no spices xcept pepper or ginger), brown or wild rice or sweet potato (easier to digest than regular & your body gets more nutrients & holds on to them longer), simple veggies like zuchinni, squash, lettuce, tomato and stay away from alcoholic or sugary beverages. TRUST ME, I KNOW it is VERY HARD!!! Me staying away from a glass or 2 of wine each evening is almost IMPOSSIBLE, but when I have to have tests done, I know that it's for my HEALTH and wellbeing & overall longevity.
    The day of your fast, you can have water - nothing added, just plain water (if you ABSOLUTELY HAVE to have SOMETHING, add a little fresh squeezed lime or lemon juice - it's not much, but it does help a little, it will also help flush toxins and excess water weight so DO NOT WEIGH yourself that day: it's like a false/positive :laugh: )
    I fast once a year since I celebrate Yom Kippur (yes, I'm a Drewish Princess :laugh: ), but I try my best to follow that since I know I can barely stay away from food for 2 hours never mind 24!

    IM me if you would like more details - I know it is REALLY tough, especially if you don't do it much, but you CAN get THROUGH this! I promise! And, I'm here for you if you need it, Jessi :flowerforyou:
  • PaleoIsPossible
    PaleoIsPossible Posts: 65
    I just got my blood tested over the summer to see if I had hypothyroidism (which it turns out I do). But I only had to start fasting at 12 midnight before my test, and my test was early... like 9am.

    Also, you CAN have water. I was under the impression I couldn't... and ended up passing out when they took my blood. And then after the fact, the woman informed me "oh yeah, you could have drank all of the water you wanted and have been fine" and explained that it's actually better to drink more water before getting blood drawn.

    Good luck!!

    Hopefully you're okay, or just have hypothyroidism. If you do have hypothyroidism (or even if you don't), feel free to add me! I know a lot of people have it, but I only know very few people.

    -edit-
    After reading your reply, regarding the time.... My parents are nurses, and whenever they've had to get blood work done in the afternoon, they'll wake up and eat something small like at 3 or 4 that morning just to tide them over until their test. You don't want to end up passing out... As long as you stop eating 8 hours prior (and don't make your last meal absolutely huge), you'll be fine.
  • frogmama
    frogmama Posts: 404 Member
    I have a thyroid problem and generally a fast is not needed for that blood test but if I am having glucose and cholesterol tested at the same time, then a 12 hour fast is necessary. They usually tell me nothing to eat after 6 pm.:grumble:
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