Fasting Blood Test A4 Final

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FASTING

BLOOD TESTS
INSTRUCTIONS

Please take note of the following timing


requirements for certain fasting blood tests to
ensure the most accurate results:

1. If a fasting blood glucose test is requested,


you must abstain from eating or drinking
for a period of 8-12 hours. Drinking water
is, however, allowed during the fast and
on the morning of the test. The blood
collection should be performed no later
than 09:00 in the morning.
2. If a fasting lipogram is requested, the
sample can be collected up to 11:00 in the
morning within a fasting period of between
12-16 hours.

PREPARATION FOR THE GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST (GTT)

The following guidelines are to be followed when preparing for a glucose tolerance test:

1. The GTT should be performed in the morning after an 8-12 hour overnight fast and the test
should be started no later than 9am.
2. Only water is allowed whilst fasting and on the morning of the test (NO CAFFEINE).
3. Please discontinue the use of all non-essential/over-the-counter medication for 3 days prior
to the test.
4. If you are taking essential medicine (e.g. for high blood pressure or cholesterol), omit this on
the morning of the test but bring it with you to take after the last sample has been collected.
Please supply the laboratory with a complete list of medication.
5. Both physical inactivity (bed rest) during an acute illness as well as acute infection itself can
affect the results, and it is therefore recommended to postpone the test until your health has
improved.
6. No smoking is allowed on the day of the test as well as during the procedure.
7. During the test, you should remain at the depot sitting quietly until the test is complete,
which usually takes 2 hours for the standard test, but may be up to 5 hours depending on the
doctor’s request.
8. It is important to follow a diet containing at least 150 g of carbohydrates during the 3 days
prior to the test.

PATHOLOGY SOLUTIONS
ARE IN OUR DNA
The following table can be used as a guideline to assess and adjust your carbohydrate intake
appropriately:

FOOD SOURCE SIZE OF PORTION CARBOHYDRATE CONTENT (in g)


Bread (white/standard brown/ 1 slice (+/– 30-40 ) 15-20 g
whole wheat)
Cereals (e.g. Corn Flakes, 1 serving/40 g 30-35 g
Rice Krispies, Special K, Nutri-K,
Strawberry Pops)
Cereals (e.g. All-Bran, Muesli) 1 serving/40 g 20-25 g
Porridge (uncooked e.g. Malt- 1 serving/30 g 20-30 g
abella, Kreemy Meel, Oats,
Pronutro, Taystee Maize/
Wheat)
Mealies (cooked, on the cob) 100 g 20 g
Pasta (cooked, plain e.g. mac- 100 g 30 g
aroni)
Pasta (uncooked, egg or 100 g 60-70 g
Roma e.g. macaroni, spaghet-
ti, 2 Minute noodles)
Potatoes (boiled with skin, 100 g 20-25 g
baked in jacket)
Provita biscuits 100 g (packet) 71 g
Rice (uncooked) half-a-cup/40 g 20-25 g
Rusks (Ouma) 1 rusk/35 g 24 g
Ryvita biscuits (original) 1 slice/9 g 5.7 g
Tin of sweet corn/baked beans 100 g 18 g

Reference: The new complete kilojoule, carbohydrate and fat counter - South African edition,
2006. STRUIK.

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