1. What does the doctor mean when he tells me to "Fast" for my Blood Test?
2. What if I have medication that I need to take during the time I'm fasting?
3. What if the lab technician needs a urine sample and I can't go?
4. Is it okay to chew gum or have a cough drop while I'm fasting?
5. My doctor is sending me for a "Glucose Tolerance Test". What will I have to do?
6. If I'm collecting stool samples at home, do I need to refrigerate them as I collect them?
7. What does the lab tech mean by "MID-STREAM" Urine?
   

1. WHAT DOES THE DOCTOR MEAN WHEN HE TELLS ME TO "FAST" FOR MY BLOOD TEST?
Fasting means not eating or drinking for a specified amount of time, which is usually 12-14 hours.  If the lab opens at 9:00am, then don't eat or drink anything after 9:00pm the night before coming in.

2. WHAT IF I HAVE MEDICATION THAT I NEED TO TAKE DURING THE TIME THAT I'M FASTING?
You can take any needed medication with water only during your fast UNLESS your doctor has told you specifically not to take it until after your blood work.

3. WHAT IF THE LAB TECHNICIAN NEEDS A URINE SAMPLE AND I CAN'T GO?
Before you go for any lab work, it's generally a good idea to not use the washroom for a couple of hours before coming in, just in case a urine sample is ordered.  If you absolutely can not produce anything on the spot, then the technician will give you a container to take home and return at a later time.

4. IS IT OKAY TO CHEW GUM OR HAVE A COUGH DROP WHILE I'M FASTING?
No.  Fasting means that NOTHING should be going into your mouth before the blood test is completed.  Be honest with the technician if you have had anything; as this will alter the test results and just hurt you in the long run.

5. MY DOCTOR IS SENDING ME FOR A "GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST".  WHAT WILL I HAVE TO DO?
First of all, make a specific appointment with the Lab Tech. for this test so that you can be properly prepared for what this test involves.  You will be asked to fast for at least 10 hours , but no longer than 16 hours.  When you get to the lab, a blood and urine sample will be obtained.  Then you will be given a sugary drink to consume quickly and more blood will be taken once an hour for the next 3 hours.  You will need to remain at rest and at the lab for the duration of the test.

6. IF I'M COLLECTING STOOL SAMPLES AT HOME, DO I NEED TO REFRIGERATE THEM AS I COLLECT THEM?
This depends on the test being ordered.  Anything that you are collecting at home that goes into a container with a lid NEEDS to be refrigerated.  This is to prevent too much bacterial overgrowth that may hinder test results.  The only stool sample that doesn't need to be refrigerated are the cardboard cards that you collect stool smears on (these should NEVER be refrigerated).

7. WHAT DOES THE LAB TECH MEAN BY "MID-STREAM" URINE?
A mid-stream urine is usually done if the physician is suspecting an infection; this is why it is so important to obtain the "cleanest" sample possible.  The technician will provide you with an antiseptic wipe which you will use first to cleanse the genital area.  Then you need to void (urinate) a small portion of urine into the toilet and then void the middle of the stream into the sterile container given, without touching the inside of the container or lid.  Void remainder into the toilet and tightly close the specimen bottle.