Did I mess up my blood work?

**mamamia** · 01-16-2010, 03:30 AM

I had blood work done today, and was told to fast after midnight but could drink liquids. Well I didn't eat anything, but I did have 1 cup of coffee about 30 minutes before the test. Someone told me that coffee was a no-no. I took "liquids only" as just no "solid" food. Does this mean my results won't be accurate? I don't know everything he was testing for, but I do know that part of it was sugar and thyroid levels. I also had to take a urine test (sorry if tmi). Will that possibly be affected by the coffee with sugar and half and half in it too? Should I call my dr., or just wait and see if my sugar level or something comes back too high? I go see him next Thusday, but now I'm worried

Theresa

**2ndGenGranola** · 01-16-2010, 03:37 AM

My dr have always said that BLACK coffee was OK but NO cream or sugar.

I don't think I would call the dr but do remember to bring it up at your appointment.

**Saule** · 01-16-2010, 03:37 AM

If they are testing sugar levels and you had coffee with cream and sugar, you likely will have thrown the tests off. You definitely should tell your doctor. If your test results are ok, then no problem, but if borderline, he/she may want to retest, to avoid your taking medication that you might not need.

Fast really means nothing with any food value - I always have nothing but plain water. Worst is when the fast is nothing by mouth at all, as before surgery - especially if your surgery is not until the afternoon - I've had that twice now!

**ladykemma2** · 01-16-2010, 05:59 AM

yeah, you messed up your test, especially if they were testing fasting blood sugar.

**nancycg56** · 01-16-2010, 08:20 AM

When testing the sugar, you should have had water only ~ also if they were testing cholesterol it should be water only ~ at least that's what my doc tells me. When I am having my A1c test, I don't drink anything ~ even water.

I have my thyroid checked every 3 months and that one doesn't matter if you fast or not.

You'll probably have to have the sugar one redone.

**mombottoo** · 01-16-2010, 08:51 AM

Liquids generally means clear liquids...like water. Since you drank coffee with cream & sugar it will most likely throw off your numbers. I would call your doctor's office and tell them what you drank to see if it is going to make a difference. I know when I have my blood pulled for my thyroid I don't have to fast. But, when I had blood pulled for sugar levels I did.

**DJ1972** · 01-16-2010, 08:58 AM

When you are doing fasting labs, have nothing with calories in it 12 hours before. So, black coffee would have been ok, or unsweet tea, etc.

**NikoSan999** · 01-16-2010, 09:00 AM

Went thru this not long ago. Yes, makes a difference. She made me retake the blood tests ( another bill ). I only had about 1/4 cup with touch of coffeemate.
Apparently the creamer of any kind raises levels of everything. Including cholestrol and triglycerides and all that good stuff.
Definitely come clean cause the results will NOT be true.

**Lady_V** · 01-16-2010, 09:57 AM

Call the doctor so you can re-take the test and have ACCURATE results when you go see him again.

When I was 14 I almost got diagnosed with Diabetes because they did a panel of blood tests, and one was a fasting blood sugar. Thing was... when the office left the message on the machine, no one TOLD US they wanted me to fast and I had pancakes and syrup for breakfast that morning.

**Sassyclass** · 01-16-2010, 11:13 AM

If it was black coffee, you should be ok. My DH has had to do this several times and he hates coffee and water(poor guy). I have to do the fasting next Friday, I'm scheduled on Saturday morning for blood work. The instructions say only black coffee and water after 8pm. I'll be doing the water. I like a little coffee with my cream and sugar.

Cat

**frugalfranny** · 01-17-2010, 02:24 AM

Originally Posted by 2ndGenGranola

My dr have always said that BLACK coffee was OK but NO cream or sugar.

Interesting.....my other Dr. said that black coffee was okay - even for Cholesterol......but this Dr. says no......go figure. You can't even get into the lab. until 8:30....if they think I am going to wait that long for coffee they are truly dreaming!

**Libby** · 01-17-2010, 02:44 PM

Ive been told when fasting for any blood work I am allowed water only, no crystal light sticks etc. Water only, nothing else. Definitely discuss with yer doc and retake the test.

**mamamia** · 01-17-2010, 02:54 PM

All of you are right, and I'm just gonna bite the bullet and call him tomorrow. Being 2 years on the road to recovery from cancer, I really don't want to mess around with innacurate results. Truth is I didn't want to have to pay again, our insurance isn't that great. But money can't replace peace of mind and it'll no doubt haunt me till I tell-all anyway!

Thanks for the push in the right direction!

Theresa