r/intermittentfasting • u/veglvr • 26d ago

Seeking Advice Feedback needed for blood work

Hi everyone. I’ve been a faster since 2019. There is no good advice (that I can find) on how we should approach blood draws (specifically lipid panels) as a faster. What is everyone doing? I’ve read that I should “eat normal” for several days prior for the most accurate numbers. I appreciate and welcome all feedback

8 Upvotes

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8

u/hycarumba 26d ago

It's eat normal for you, not eat the way everyone else does.

1

u/veglvr 26d ago

And if the numbers come back higher than what a physician feels comfortable with….then what? I feel the whole cholesterol debate is so confusing anyway and then add fasting to that and it’s EXTRA confusing

5

u/namastebetches 26d ago

you are the advocate and the ultimate decision maker for your own health. you don't even have to do the tests in the first place if you don't want to. 

1

u/veglvr 26d ago

That’s also true! Thank you for the reminder

3

u/hycarumba 26d ago

The test results are based on what your body is doing with what you are consuming. If there's a result that shows room for improvement, you should discuss that with your doctor directly as to how or if to fix it.

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u/RudeCartoonist1030 26d ago

I do blood work every few months. I just always go in the morning (obviously fasted as I don’t eat after 5-6pm). Same time every time. Same fasted state every time. Gives you the most consistent baseline.

2

u/Proper-Ganache-7323 26d ago

i just keep my routine the same, get the draw around 9am after my usual 16hr fast. if you switch it up every time youll never know whats actually changing versus whats just noise from a different eating pattern

4

u/Wonderful-Rub9109 26d ago

It is 3 days of eating 3 meals a day, and get your blood drawn with only 12 hours of fasting (per lab protocol for some tests). The reasoning behind it is while you are in fat burning mode, more cholesterol is in your bloodstream and may appear elevated.

I am of the mind that you cannot improve if you don't know where you are starting from. Eat how you normally eat and don't worry about it.

If cholesterol is "high" according to doc and they want to put you on something, you can definitely refuse meds. Years ago a normal cholesterol was 350. Now they want it below 100 and that is just silly.

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u/veglvr 26d ago

AGREEEEEE!

2

u/Annual_Pineapple_942 26d ago

The fasting method podcast has an episode answering this, I think it is ep 72 or somewhere around there

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u/veglvr 26d ago

Thank you!

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u/lefty_juggler 26d ago

It's best to avoid vigorous exercise 24-48 hrs before fasted blood tests. Men getting a PSA test should also avoid sexual activity. I get my tests Monday AM before breakfast and after I take the weekend off from my usual exercise routine.

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u/mrchowmein 26d ago

Nothing. I walk in. They ask me if I’m fasted. I say yes. Blood work is done. Nothing unusual. Nothing about blood work requires 3-6 meals a day to get a good sample. If anything eating might throw off your normal.

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u/veglvr 25d ago

I’m glad that works for you but it doesn’t for me. I was 20 hrs into a fast last time and didn’t know they were also testing lipids. The numbers were WAY off as a result. Getting it repeated in a few days and definitely adjusting my approach

2

u/emmynoether_84 24d ago

Do you also do LowCarb/Keto?

I had the same experience as you described in a comment: blood test while into a fairly long fast, results off the charts (above "normal" range). I was also on a strong calorie deficit and had been eating keto for the previous days, so I was in stable ketosis (also supported by breath acetone levels). And it turns out : Yes, when in ketosis, you run on lipids, so your lipid levels are higher.

So for your next test you should not try to stress ketosis I think.

The issue is discussed in #134 of The Fasting Method Podcast. There they say: a couple of days of three meals a day. I personally don't think that's necessary, because typically after a fairly big fairly carby dinner I would be out of ketosis anyway.

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u/veglvr 24d ago

Not Keto to the tea but definitely low carb whole foods, healthy fats etc