Blood tests can you drink water

When people eat food and drink alcohol, the food and liquid get broken down in their stomach and absorbed into the bloodstream. This can affect the levels of certain substances in the blood, such as blood glucose or cholesterol.

For correct diagnosis of these conditions, it is important that a person fasts. Eating or drinking before the test may raise the levels of a particular substance in the blood, leading to inaccurate results.

Incorrect results could in turn lead to an incorrect diagnosis. There is a range of things that individuals can do when fasting for a blood test, such as :. As well as food and drink, there are some other things to avoid when fasting for a blood test. These include:. Before a person decides to fast, they should speak with a doctor to find out whether they should fast, and if so, for how long. If the test does require fasting, following the steps above can help an individual who has been asked to fast for a blood test to do so safely.

If fasting becomes too difficult and a person breaks the fast due to extreme hunger or thirst, they should contact the doctor to reschedule the blood test appointment. People can receive the wrong diagnosis if their blood test results are inaccurate, leading to further health complications.

This is why following best practices around fasting before blood tests is so important. Anemia is the most common blood disorder. The body does not have enough red blood cells and is unable to deliver enough oxygen around the body.

MCHC levels are measured during a complete blood test to identify the amount of hemoglobin in a single blood cell. High levels of MCHC can indicate a….

A BUN test measures how much urea nitrogen a person has in their blood. Urea nitrogen is produced when the body breaks down protein. The liver…. Find out here about the differences and…. A variety of conditions and lifestyle factors can lead to a reduction in hemoglobin. Common causes include anemia, pregnancy, and thyroid conditions….

What to know about fasting before a blood test. Fasting length Why fasting is required Tips Things to avoid Conclusion Fasting before a blood test means that an individual should not eat or drink anything other than water before undergoing certain blood tests.

If you're moving and wiggling while someone is attempting to draw your blood, it's likely that he will have to make more attempts to obtain the sample. Sit as still as possible. Even if you are nervous, it's important to refrain from wiggling and fidgeting or you could potentially add to the number of pokes required to draw your blood. Tags: Your Wellness. Know the provider you're looking for? If your plan is not listed, please feel free to check directly with our health plan specialist, Kelly Rhoads-Poston at or AskKelly NorthBay.

Simmers offered the following tips for patients: 1. Breathe Don't hold your breath while your blood is being drawn. Be Honest If you are someone who has fainted in the past when donating blood or having your blood drawn, be sure to tell the person who will be drawing your blood.

Don't Look If having your blood drawn makes you feel queasy, don't watch while your blood is drawn. Sit Still If you're moving and wiggling while someone is attempting to draw your blood, it's likely that he will have to make more attempts to obtain the sample.

Post A Comment. Item number - Issue date November Fasting before blood tests In the hours after you eat, many chemicals in your blood undergo significant changes. General guidelines: During your fast, you may drink water, but it must contain no additives e. You should avoid alcohol for 24 hours 1 day prior to the test, if possible. Unless your doctor advises otherwise, you should continue taking any current medications.