Preventive care
How to prepare for a fasting test
What fasting means in practice, how long it lasts and when you should ask first.
Written by: CarePilot editorial teamMedically reviewed by: Dr. Imran Hossain, Internal MedicinePublished: Next review: 3 min read
Fasting means no food and no drinks other than plain water for the period your test requires. Tea, coffee, juice and milk all break a fast.
Most fasting tests need 8 to 12 hours. An overnight fast that ends with a morning appointment is usually easiest to manage.
If you take medication for diabetes, blood pressure or thyroid disease, ask your doctor whether to take it before or after the sample is collected.
Tags:fastingpreparation
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