Hi,

I'd suggest asking your physician about what med, if any, to take before testing....but good luck.

The A1C is based on the fact that our red cells turn over every 90 days or so, so the biggest contributor to the A1C will be the month preceding a test; less so for preceding months.

Hope all turns out well.
ron

If the doc just told you to be fasting, and didn't tell you to plan to stay for 2 hours, then it does not sound like he plans to do a Glucose Tolerance Test, but just some tests need to be done fasting. If you are going in the morning, and I can go to the lab any time I want so for fastings I go first thing in the morning. I would not take the meds till the test is done, cuz the meds are to be taken with food. But if he told you 12 hours so you eat at 5 AM and then go for the test at 5 PM, then I would take the one with breakfast and then not take the ones when you don't eat. That depends on the levels too though, so check your levels.
The complete blood workup is actually a pretty common work up for an annual check up, and is not only for diabetes. Might also check your thyroid, cholesterol, kidney function, red blood cell count.

to your specific question.. the fasting and one day of jacked up BG will affect your levels for that day,, but as was said, the A1c measures the numbers and proportion of red blood cells that have sugar molecules attached to them, which is reflective of a longer period of time than just one day.

What happens in diabetes, one thing that is so bad and causes damage, is that the inability to properly metabolize sugar leaves sugar molecules floating around in your blood, and these sugar molecules stick to red blood cells and so knock them out of commission. The red blood cells are supposed to bring oxygen to the cells in your body, but they can't if they have sugar molecules stuck to them, and that's why then there are the symptoms of poor circulation. Get it?

Thanks for the response Nbow! My appointment is for 7:30 AM on the 18th and my Doc knows I live only one mile from his office. So it easily could incorporate a glucose tolerance test. I also have an untra-sound scheduled for this next Wednesday to check on the Deep Vein Thrombosis in my right leg.. I'll ask about the blood tests and my medications while I am there. Thanks again-Dale

No, it won't mess up your A1C, only your daily number and you might be surprised that it might not mess it up too much. I always fast since they do the cholesterol, etc and right after I get the blood drawn I'll test myself to see what I am, which usually isn't higher than my morning fasting. Our tests will show what they got my Bg at and I am curious what I show at the same time

Thanks Mzgayle! How long does it take to get the results back from the A1C test?

Thanks again-Dale

a1c can be done in few mins in office with the new machines....it i simple drop of blood and insert into machine....two or three mins later bingo...

The glucose tolerance test, is the gold standard for a diagnosis os diabetes, after fasting for 12h a blood sample is taken usually from the ear or thumb
You then drink a measured amount of pure glucose
then wait without too much movement just sitting for 2 hours
then another blood sample is taken and the blood glucose level is compared with the 1st If the levels are higher than 7 then you are diabetic.
Just posted this for the newly diagnosed who may not be aware of the procedure

any more they can be processed quickly depending on what else your doctor may request at the same time, of course depends on if your lab sends out, etc.

aic is the average of your daily blood sugar over a 3-4 months period. I bading cant affect it but continuos bad reading will give a bad average and you have to wait 3-4 months to get a new reading.