Question about fasting before the blood work!

[snrub]

Hi. I'm getting my bloodwork checked just for the hell of it. Let's say I don't eat anything before I go to bed and sleep a good 10 hours. I then don't eat anything for a few hours. I then get my blood work checked. Is that long enough for an accurate testing?

 

[Beau]

I have read that one should try to fast for 12 hours for accurate fasting blood test results. I have also been told that if you fast four hours or more the fasting blood test results may be accurate. But since it is my understanding that labs like to have at least 12 hours of fasting for a fasting blood test, to be sure the results are accurate - that is what I do.

 

[alwaysfirst]

Is it really that big difference if you eat or not?

 

[Beau]

Depending on the bloods, it can skew the results enormously - otherwise they wouldn't insist on a fasted blood test.

 

[snrub]

Thanks everyone.