An Accurate Blood Report or Food Report?

Life as we know exists due to one major aspect that is very much vital for each and every one of us. Blood is one of those substances that connect each and every organ of our body. This is the reason why anything at all in the blood will affect our whole body and disrupt our entire living mechanism.

Keeping this fact in mind; it is necessary that we all have our blood tested once in a while. Our changing lifestyle and daily food habits have knowingly or un-knowingly opened doors for a lot of unwanted substances into our precious blood. And there exists many types of danger that one cannot be completely aware about in their whole life-time.

Now since you have decided to get your blood tested, let us understand how one must prepare themselves for a Blood Test. For starters, there exist many kinds of blood tests. This would depend on the reason why one does a blood test. For e.g. After you read this article, a sudden realization that you are not aware about the details of your blood, so you go in for a General Blood Test. Such General Blood Tests usually requires a person to Fast for a certain period prior to the test.

Now you may wonder why? Or how is that going to make a difference?

As mentioned in the earlier paragraph, our food habits have huge contribution to the blood. Every solid or liquid that we consume goes partly to our blood, now that can include the very juice, soft drink, milk, etc. you just had. The measurement of blood sugar (glucose) and some blood lipids (fats and cholesterol) are common examples.

Let’s imagine a situation wherein you just had some form of meat for the first time ever in your life, that is rich in fat and that contributes to the cholesterol level in your body. You immediately go for a blood test and what’s the result?...your blood report will show that you maybe dieing of cholesterol and may have to be admitted and treated immediately or Doctors may state that you are prone to heart diseases, when in reality it was the meat that you just had over the delicious lunch at you friends place.

 Surprised?? Well, there have been many cases where some doctors and various Laboratories do not give much importance to emphasizing the necessity of fasting before a blood test only because they would presume that you might be aware about the same.

Generally food requires a minimum amount of time to get settled and dissolved into our body and blood and show a case or normalcy in our entire system. The constituents of the food or drink you last consumed would stay strongest and reveal unnecessarily.

A blood test is done to understand how your blood is doing on a normal day and for that your entire system needs to settle down at a normal state which is why you need to Fast or in simple terms not eat or drink anything (apart water in some cases), till your blood is withdrawn, for a particular period that should and would be mentioned by your doctor.

• When you fast, you refrain from eating or drinking anything (except water) for a good period of 8-10 hours generally and otherwise specified by your doctor.

• You are allowed to take your medications unless interrupted by your doctor.

• Nothing else is permissible during this period (no coffee, no smoking, and no alcohol, not even chewing gums because even the slightest juices can bring about variations in the blood).

• Try and rest before you blood test.

• Once your blood is withdrawn you can immediately consume some juices and have some snack as per your preference.

• It is advisable to schedule your blood test for early morning, so that the hours your go without food can be used up by your Good Night Sleep.

• Always remember, Fasting is usually considered for an accurate blood report and for further treatments. If in doubt, feel free to ask your doctor regarding anything.