I need to fast for some blood test's,
Do any of you know how long I have to fast for,it's so long since I had to do it I have forgotten (getting old lol )

Hi I just had bloods done last week and I had to fast 12 before and only allowed water to drink...

Thanks paxo ,take it thats 12 hours lol

lol oops yes 12 hours sorry haha

If it is cholesterol it is 12 hours but you can have water and black coffee with no sugar or milk and I would think the same with tea but I have not asked - main thing is to make the appointment first thing in the morning and then you can go home for breakfast but better not make it a full English until you get your results.

Yes Nova it is a cholesterol test.one of about 8 that I am supposed to have every 3 months ,

I have one tomorrow for allsorts including chlorestoral and gluclose I have to fast from midnight regardless of time of bloods to be taken. Doctor told me water only after midnight

I dare say different tests require different rules, most of mine do not require any fasting but it is obvious that yours do. Best to do as the doctor says but when they say nothing it can be difficult, however 12 hours for cholesterol seems to be the answer required.

Having fasted many hundreds of patients over the years, they fast from midnight, nothing to eat or drink and I would take the bloods at 6.30-7.00hrs, they could then have their morning cuppa, if I didn't do the bloods they would have to wait till the phlebotomist came around after 9am.

One night about 4am. there the was a very strong smell of orange wafting around the ward, I found a patient sitting with his back to me eating said orange, he was fasting for several bloods in the morning, I asked him where he got it from as we had cleared his locker of any food and drink, he said it had been in a bag under his bed, I reminded him he was suppose to be fasting,I had told him when I had gone round with the meds and when the sign went up above his bed, he was only in his 40's so not senile, he said he didn't think a piece of fruit counted, I explained the fasting would have to start again and he would miss out on the early cuppa and breakfast, if he hadn't been going home that day I would have abandoned the fasting till the next night.

LOL x well went & had mine done this morning at just after 10,had not had anything to eat since just after 9 last night (handfull of cheesey bites ) then just sips of water to take meds with .So hope that was ok !!. Should have them done every 3 months but never remember until I get the reminder in with latest bag of meds LOL.

silly man Rhona ! talking of phlebotomist I  was sitting with MUm the other day in the hospital and overhead a conversation about a hipopotomus ?? It took me  afew sminutes to realise the were actually talking about where the phlebotomist was, I really must washout my ears !