Can drinking too much water before a blood test affect the results?

Water does not affect the results of a blood test and is acceptable to drink when a person needs to fast. Timings: Whether a person has to fast for 8, 12, or 24 hours, it is a good idea to work out what is the latest time they can eat or drink before the test.

medicalnewstoday.com - Fasting before a blood test: Examples, reasons, and tips

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This article explores the types of blood tests that require fasting, why fasting is necessary, and how an individual can do it safely. Even so, the idea of not eating or drinking, even for a small amount of time, may seem daunting. Understanding when and how to fast before a blood test can help reduce unnecessary worry. A person does not always need to fast before a blood test. When a blood test requires fasting, it is typically needed for a short time only.

Fasting before a blood test means that an individual should not eat or drink anything other than water before undergoing certain blood tests. But which blood tests require fasting, and how can people fast safely?

Whether someone needs to fast or not before a blood test depends on the type of blood test they need to undergo. Some blood tests require fasting to provide accurate results, while others do not.

The types of blood tests that require fasting are:

Fasting blood glucose test

A fasting blood glucose test can help diagnose diabetes.

Diabetes is a condition that can lead to excessive amounts of sugar in the blood. A fasting blood glucose test measures levels of sugar in the blood to see whether they are healthy. It is important that an individual has not had anything to eat or drink other than water for 8–10 hours before a fasting blood glucose test. A person will typically fast overnight and do the test early in the morning. Fasting helps ensure that the blood test records an accurate measure of fasting blood sugar levels. The results help a doctor diagnose or rule out diabetes.

Blood cholesterol tests

Cholesterol is a fatty substance in the blood. High cholesterol can lead to an increased risk of certain health conditions. Blood cholesterol tests, also known as lipid profiles, assess the quantities of fats in the blood. The different fats tested for include:

high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, also known as “good” cholesterol

low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol

triglycerides

The amounts of these fats will increase if a person has recently eaten food. That is why people are asked not to eat for 9–12 hours before the test, which helps give an accurate profile of the amounts of these fats in the blood. Research has suggested that fasting may not be necessary before all cholesterol and triglyceride tests. However, people who are having these tests should refrain from drinking alcohol for 24 hours before the test. It is always best for individuals to check with a doctor to see whether these new guidelines apply to them.

Gamma-glutamyl transferase test

A gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) test helps diagnose liver disease. GGT is an enzyme in the liver that helps it work effectively. A person may need to avoid all eating and drinking for 8 hours before the test, as well as avoid drinking alcohol and taking some prescription medications.

Iron blood test

An iron blood test measures the levels of the mineral iron in the blood. This test helps identify conditions that are caused by a lack of iron in the blood, such as anemia. Iron is contained in some types of food and is absorbed very quickly from food into the blood. Therefore, if a person eats food before the iron blood test, the results may show inflated levels of iron. To ensure accurate results, a person should fast from midnight the night before the test until after the test is done.

Other blood tests that require fasting

People may be asked to fast for:

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