What Not to Do Before a Blood Test
Blood tests are requested by doctors to check health and diagnose conditions. In order for blood tests to be accurate, the blood must not be tainted by activities that change the blood significantly. In many cases, the doctor gives out guidelines as to how much fasting is needed before blood is drawn.
Eating
Eating within 14 hours may affect many blood tests that require fasting. Among the most common tests affected by eating include cholesterol and glucose.
Drinking
For tests on lipids and glucose, only water is okay to drink within 14 hours before a blood test. Drinks may have sugar and fat, which affects the blood. For instance, milk has both sugar and fat.
Chewing Gum
Do not chew gum, including sugar-free versions, before the blood test. Chewing gum has the same effects as food on blood tests.
Exercising
Strenuous exercise should be avoided before the test, especially for blood tests that involve fasting. For example, blood glucose readings can change significantly due to exercise.
Smoking
Smoking can affect the results of many tests that require fasting.
Using Vitamins and Supplements
For certain tests, such as tests for lead in the blood, vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements should be avoided.
Related posts
What do life insurance blood tests look for?It has become common practice for nearly every major life insurance company to require applicants to undergo a physical screening as part of the underwr...
Laboratories perform different kinds of testsAn HIV test involves testing for either the virus or antibodies against it. Testing for chemicals (like enzymes or electrolytes) in the blood and testi...
The easiest way to pass the test is to simply avoid illicit drugs.A mouth-swab test is a type of drug test that measures the presence of drugs in your system. During this simple, non-invasive proc...
Nearly every major life insurance company in the United States requires some sort of medical examination or evaluation for all new applicants, especially when the requested death benefit is above...
Review Your Blood Test ResultsA blood test is a tool that a physician uses to assess your health. If you or your doctor suspect that your cholesterol level is elevated, a fasting "lipoprotein...
