Medical Labs, Questionable
 

I'm going over my recent labs and there are some issues that kinda trouble me. First OFF, I do all my labs NON FASTING for many many years, and feel fine doing them this way. Docs maybe push patients to do FASTING but I have not, just could not get to doc's in early mornings.

Now talking to some friends and even a person here, I've come to the conclusion that it's probably BEST to do Labs NON FASTING. This is how we go thru life, Not Fasting.. I don't that's for sure.

So now I'm believing the best tests are from bloodwork Non Fasting, and then deal with too low too high results when we go over them.

So labs are a good indicator and I'm saying good to do them, but not every month etc. I keep copies of say the last 3 yrs handy and refer to them when I have questions on current labs.

My potassium came in lower than I like to see it, and so now I'm taking supplements more daily or every other day. If one can get ENOUGH potassium rich foods that is good, but it's tough. Low potassium causes more fatigue and muscle spasms.

Control foods, sugars and carbs for certain.

For whatever it's worth, I've had a distrust in medical world probably since the 80's and I've been healthy overall, and heading to 83.

My opinions on all this.

Hey Caroline2,

Hope you are well.

Surely if you have a blood test you need to find out in advance if you're required to fast or not. Some blood tests require fasting, some don't.

Best wishes,

Atty

This has NEVER been a factor with my doc, I can remember a draw about 15 yrs ago and I went in fasting and since then NO, requirement on this. So I take all this into consideration.

And thanks Atty, I'm OK, same ole stuff, and still fighting the covid mess. Hope you are ok too.

I used to work in a lab, and for many years I've had to go in for regular lab test, several times a year, and each time it's always spelled out whether the test is fasting or not. If they haven't told me, I call the lab or the doctor's office and ask.

It really matters with some tests, and labs are pretty strict about it. They usually don't want you taking in anything with any food value (including diet soda) after about midnight.

It is dreary to drag myself to a lab in the morning without anything to eat but I bring food along with me and eat it right after the lab test. A small can of V8 juice and a stick of string cheese and a breakfast bar, usually--something I can carry along with me without spilling. Not my favorite way of starting the day but for the sake of an accurate lab test result, I go along with it.

Again to me, it's not what we do in life, live life fasting. To me this is common sense.

A D.O. back in 2002, fixed my 10 yrs of depression as docs could not help me with all their labs. He called in Armour thyroid, no labs and in 4 days depression lifted, after 10 yrs. Boy do I miss him, smart old school doc.

Maybe you know Atty, when did labs start or were they always around.