Rain Posted July 21, 2014 Posted July 21, 2014 (edited) I have had fasting blood tests occasionally for more than 35 years. This morning I was told for the first time that I didn't have to fast water unless I was having a procedure done. This was total news to me. I've been wondering since then if it had anything to do with being LDS and fasting both food and water for fast Sunday or if other people also assume it is both food and water or just assume it is just food. Edited July 21, 2014 by Rain
bluebell Posted July 21, 2014 Posted July 21, 2014 I think it completely depends on why they want you to fast. If it's a blood sugar blood test, to use one example, then drinking water makes no difference because water won't interfere with those results. If they want you to fast because they are going to put you under for some reason, then you definitely want an empty stomach since throwing up anything and aspirating it into you lungs is very serious and can cause death. So i would just ask the dr. to be sure. As for fasting without food or drink-we just had a thread on the board not long about that and members were mixed on how they approached fasting and drinking water. Some did (one was even adamant that God would not ask us to fast from water since doing so had no health benefit) while others didn't. I don't think the church has ever clarified and i'd be surprised if they ever did. To be perfectly honest, I'm having a baby in August and not having to fast is one of the best things about being pregnant. 1
Rain Posted July 21, 2014 Author Posted July 21, 2014 (edited) I've never had to be put under for blood tests. If I had I would have thought to ask. I'm just talking about a CBC or blood sugar or cholesterol etc. I have had them somewhat regularly since I was 9 so they are not anything new to me. That might make a difference in why you might or might not ask a doctor what you should do. Edited July 21, 2014 by Rain
Storm Rider Posted July 21, 2014 Posted July 21, 2014 I have periodic blood tests for a previous medical condition that still needs monitoring. It is always a fasting blood test - five tubes - which for me is without water or food. Fortunately, it is the first thing I have done in the morning and I stop eating at 6:30 the night before.
ksfisher Posted July 21, 2014 Posted July 21, 2014 To be perfectly honest, I'm having a baby in August Congratulations!!!
Garden Girl Posted July 21, 2014 Posted July 21, 2014 I just got back from the hospital lab where every 3 months I get my blood tested (Type II diabetic). I fast from 10:00 PM to 10:00 AM so that I can sleep most of the time... I fast only food... water is okay. GG
bluebell Posted July 21, 2014 Posted July 21, 2014 Congratulations!!! Thank you. This will be my fourth child (I have a 12, 9 and 13 month old) and second 'surprise!!' baby in a row so we are both excited and terrified.
Tacenda Posted July 21, 2014 Posted July 21, 2014 Thank you. This will be my fourth child (I have a 12, 9 and 13 month old) and second 'surprise!!' baby in a row so we are both excited and terrified. I'm so happy for you!! 1
Deborah Posted July 21, 2014 Posted July 21, 2014 I have to drink water when fasting because I have a very dry throat. I take small sips. I can do fine without food but not water.
ksfisher Posted July 22, 2014 Posted July 22, 2014 Thank you. This will be my fourth child (I have a 12, 9 and 13 month old) and second 'surprise!!' baby in a row so we are both excited and terrified. Four as well. 21, 18, 15, and 11. 1
Judd Posted July 22, 2014 Posted July 22, 2014 Fasting for blood tests 99% of the time is to get an accurate baseline read on glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol, none of which are effected by water. I'm unsure what the connection is you're making. Fasting is just a general term. Medical fasting and religious fasting aren't very analogous.
Rain Posted July 22, 2014 Author Posted July 22, 2014 I make connections all the time. Sometimes they mean something. Sometimes they don't. This time I was thinking if most lds include water in their fasting maybe they would just assume it would be included in medical fasting. Mostly this thread was just about a knowledge of fasting for tests. It surprised me that after all this time I had never once been told water is ok. And this wasn't the first time I have mentioned to staff that I hoped I had enough urine after fasting and no water.
thesometimesaint Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 I make connections all the time. Sometimes they mean something. Sometimes they don't. This time I was thinking if most lds include water in their fasting maybe they would just assume it would be included in medical fasting.Mostly this thread was just about a knowledge of fasting for tests. It surprised me that after all this time I had never once been told water is ok. And this wasn't the first time I have mentioned to staff that I hoped I had enough urine after fasting and no water. Some tests require you abstain from food for 14-16 hours before hand. Water as far as I know is not restricted in diabetes tests.
VideoGameJunkie Posted August 11, 2014 Posted August 11, 2014 I can't fast without water on Sundays because I need to take medications.
Iggy Posted August 26, 2014 Posted August 26, 2014 As a Type II Diabetic, I fast 8 hours before my blood draw. Any more than that and they don't get an accurate reading as my liver will dump by then and my glucose levels will be off. Also I do NOT take any of my morning diabetic medications. I brush my teeth, drink one 8 oz. glass of water when I take my other morning pills. I always carry a bottle of water with me, and I imbibe from it frequently - it is a 32 oz. and at church I refill it once! As for the OP, my Dr tells me every time I schedule blood tests, to fast 8 hours min/max before the draw, and not diabetic meds before. They tell me to bring my meds with me, and after the draw, I am given a full 8 ox bottle of water so that I can take them. Rain, what kind of procedure were they talking about? I equate BG/A1c blood draws as a procedure. Actually, anytime I have to have blood drawn it is a procedure for me as my veins are crappy and it takes longer to get the one vein that doesn't collapse to stay still long enough to get the needle in. Yeah, it is nerve racking and most times it hurts AND always I have to concentrate on relaxing that arm and praying for the vein to behave and allow the needle in. Yep - sounds odd, but it is the only thing that seems to help speed up the process. The nurse and the lab tech at the hospital really, really hate to take from the veins on my hands. They are the only ones that stick up nice and pretty. When we fast in the Church it is going without Food and Drink. I have had three Bishops explain to me that even though we LDS drink more water as an accompaniment to our meals, it is their understanding that drink means: milk, juices, sodas, herbal drinks. For Fast Sunday, I do a half fast. Only do one meal rather than two. I also refrain from drinking anything other than water. Since I have reduced my consumption of carbonated drinks on a daily basis, my need for water to replace what the carbonation took away is less. I still consume at least 64 ounces of water a day - every day. 1
MorningStar Posted August 26, 2014 Posted August 26, 2014 When I do fasting blood tests, I drink water, which is what my doctor tells me to do. Like others have said, you want an empty stomach if you're going to be put under.
Kenngo1969 Posted August 26, 2014 Posted August 26, 2014 (edited) Thank you. This will be my fourth child (I have a 12, 9 and 13 month old) and second 'surprise!!' baby in a row so we are both excited and terrified. You're terrified now? Wait'll they get to be teenagers! P.S.: And take this for what it's worth, coming from an Eternal Bachelor who's never been allowed to ... Ahem! ... play ... in the gene pool, but, congratulations! Edited August 26, 2014 by Kenngo1969
Kenngo1969 Posted August 26, 2014 Posted August 26, 2014 Four as well. 21, 18, 15, and 11.Two teenagers, one recently-"graduated" teenager, and one about-to-be teenager??? And you're still alive?!!
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