When your doctor wants to see the levels of triglycerides in your blood, he will draw a blood sample. You need to fast before giving his blood for the test. The reason to test triglycerides is to assess the risk of heart disease. In this article, we shall give a few important points about fasting before giving blood for triglyceride test.
Instructions on Fasting Before a Triglyceride Test:
- Start fasting at least a week before the schedule of triglyceride test. Try to fast only for a few hours. Then see how you feel about it. Fast by missing one meal a day.
- If you are diabetic or pregnant then you should not fast. But it is better that you talk to your doctor regarding this to be on a safe side.
- Inform your doctor well in advance about all the medications that you are using. The doctor will let you know what all medications you can take during the fast.
- Morning time will be the best time to draw blood for the sample. As you will be sleeping and fasting the previous night, by giving the blood in the early hours you will be able to eat soon.
- Generally it is seen that about 8 to 12 hours of fasting is required before giving blood for the test. However it is best to consult the doctor regarding the length of the fast.
- Have a light food the night before you begin the fast. Later you might to eat a lot to make up the fasting duration, but having a light meal somewhat gives a safe health condition.
- It is better to avoid triglyceride-inducing-foodstuffs like ice creams and other fatty foods.
- Follow the instructions of doctor while breaking the fast. Choose the first meal carefully, making it small and easily digestible. Also plan well for following days of the fast.
