I am taking my 6 yr old tomorrow morning for a fasting blood glucose test. We're going to be there when the lab opens at 7:30 AM. II won't give him anything to eat after 7:00 PM tonight, but could I give him a sip or two of water in the morning. He will be famished and thirsty and will be crying for something.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks to everyone, especially Angi C. I had him drink a glass of water before the test. She only had to stick him once and all was well. I won't know the results until Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning.
Water is definitely fine to have and he can have a glass if he wants, not just a sip. Its a glucose test so they are looking at sugar levels. Either way water is just fine
Water, yes. I wouldn't drink too much, but a sip or 2 is fine. I had bloodwork done a week ago, which I get done monthly now, (always fasting too), and I am told that I can have water and actually can take some of my meds. Just the ones that I HAVE to take. The rest I take after the bloodwork is done. Good luck! If you make an appt. with the lab you shouldn't have too long of a wait..........
I'm a phlebotomist and this is a REALLY common test.
Water is fine, in fact he should be well hydrated with water before going in to the lab, plumps those veins up and makes them easier to find and hit with a needle. You don't have to go to the "having an ultrasound" amount of water, but a little extra wouldn't hurt. Whatever he'll drink should be fine.
Nothing else should be given before the draw though. No milk, juice, food of any kind, no flavored waters, etc.
And SamE ... the glucose drink has a specific amount of sugar in it, drinking water before or after isn't going to affect that. They have you fast so that they can see how fast or slow your body processes that sugar. Water isn't going to change that. In fact I've given cups of water to pregnant women right after they drank the glucose, cause that stuff is NASTY, with no issues.
They reccomend water before, otherwise it will be difficult to draw blood.
Didn't they tell you? My doctors always say the whole speil every time "These are fasting labs so no food and only water or black coffee"
i was all ready to say yes when i saw the title of your question but once i read that it was a glucose test i wasnt so sure.. i just did mine a couple weeks ago.. its the one they do when youre pregnant and you have to drink the bottle of stuff.. the nurse specifically said not to drink any water because it could dilute the stuff u drink and affect test results.. did he have to drink that stuff or no? .. if not and they didnt specifically tell u no water i dont see how a very small sip could do any damage
You better check with the doc to make sure!!!! You don't want to have to reschedule this!
I have had a few glucose tests (and other labs as well) and water is fine. They would say so if it wasn't. As a matter of fact, some tests they encourage water.
Fasting in laboratory land is defined as no consumption of food or beverage, other than water, for 9 - 12 hours before testing. I'm sure your little guy is fine.
For all of the expectant patients, please make an appointment so you go to the front of the line. The lines can be very busy, especially in the morning.
I used to think the same way you do, but fasting only means no food or drink other than water - you actually want to drink water to keep yourself very hydrated so the blood draw is easier (they can find the veins easier and get the needle in quicker and the blood flows faster too). When you're having surgery or a procedure done, they will tell you no water for that for a different reason (you can vomit while you're under and aspirate it).
Water is ok to have. I work in a lab, and we tell our patients that they may have water before the test. It will not affect his glucose levels at all.
yes unless they specifically said not to.
I have always been told that plain water is fine. Nothing with calories or anything else in it, though. I would call and get the very specific instructions from the lab. Unless your son goes to bed at 7:00pm, you may want to make sure that you HAVE to restrict all consumption past that time. I have always been told "nothing after midnight".... so....
I had to bring my daughter in and they couldn't draw the blood because she was dehydrated. They told me they can have water just not huge amounts. Had to bring the poor thing back the next day and get stuck again.
you might want to call the lab to make sure, but it should be ok......i have fasting ones done all the time and can have water.
Yes, he can have a small (4oz) amount of water.
They have always told me to drink at least 1-2 glasses of water prior to a fasting blood draw. This is so they can have nice veins to draw from, and I think it helps with some of the lab results.
I have always been told no, and to not even brush teeth in case water was swallowed accidentally. I would call the office and ask them to be sure. Let them have plenty to drink tonight that way they won't be thirsty in the morning.
