best time to take blood tests?

alexb73

Regular Member

Joined : Apr 2007

Posts : 27

Posted 10/22/2008 10:37 PM (GMT 0)

is there a best time to take an ana screen and other related AI blood tests?

by that i mean is it best to take the test when you think you are having a flare up

or what about fasting...i've noticed that when i've taken an ana test i was fasting because i was also taking a test i needed to fast for

is it better not to be fasting for ana and AI? or does it not matter

Lynnwood

Forum Moderator

Joined : May 2005

Posts : 8160

Posted 10/23/2008 1:38 AM (GMT 0)

It should not matter - these tests are for inflammation markers which will not change because of something you did or didn't eat in the last few hours. I've had then taken both with and without fasting, and doctors have known that and never expressed an issue with it. Hope that helps,

redrose77

Veteran Member

Joined : Sep 2005

Posts : 2573

Posted 10/24/2008 2:09 AM (GMT 0)

I would ask the doctor, some tests they might want to run could require fasting. Then again it is possible they won't do any of those. If in doubt call the lab and ask or just do it fasting. I usually end up doing blood work fasting because I don't eat like normal people- I lack an appitie.

hippimom2

Veteran Member

Joined : Jul 2005

Posts : 5403

Posted 10/24/2008 2:16 PM (GMT 0)

Sometimes more might show up in your labs if you are flaring. There are times I've gone in when I am flaring and it will show up on my labs and other times when not much showed up. These AI diseases are weird that way - the labs often seem to fluctuate. But, if you are flaring, it can be a good thing to go in and get labs done to make sure nothing really serious is going on.

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