Fasting For Blood Tests: Life Insurance Requirements

A life insurance medical exam is a standard part of the application process, where your overall health is assessed to determine the level of risk you pose to the life insurance company. The exam includes a blood test, which can detect high blood pressure, high cholesterol, glucose levels, liver or kidney disorders, diabetes, immune disorders, HIV antibodies, and indicators of nicotine, tobacco or drug use. To prepare for the blood test, you should fast for 8 to 12 hours beforehand, drinking only water and refraining from caffeine, nicotine, exercise, and certain medications.

What not to eat or drink before a blood test

It's important to know what not to eat or drink before a blood test, especially if it's for life insurance. Here's a list of things to avoid:

Food and Drink

• Anything other than water. This includes juice, coffee, soda, and other beverages that can affect your blood test results.
• Red meat, as it is high in cholesterol and can affect tests related to cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• Processed food with added sodium, as it can increase your blood pressure.

Activities

• Strenuous exercise, as it can raise your blood pressure and affect certain test results.
• Smoking, as traces of nicotine can stay in your blood for up to 5 days and affect lipoprotein levels.
• Chewing gum, as even sugar-free gum can affect key results.

Medication

• Certain medications, especially those that need to be taken with food. Always check with your doctor before stopping any prescribed medications.
• Vitamins and supplements, as these may affect certain lab tests.

It's important to follow your doctor's instructions for fasting and abstaining from the above to ensure accurate blood test results.

How long to fast for a blood glucose test

Fasting for a blood test means not eating or drinking anything but water for 8–12 hours before the test. Fasting is important because the nutrients from food and beverages can affect the accuracy of the test results.

Blood glucose tests are used to see if you may have diabetes or certain other medical conditions. If you are asked to fast before a blood glucose test, it will usually be for at least eight hours. However, some blood glucose tests do not require you to fast.

If you are unsure whether you need to fast before a blood test, check with your doctor. They will be able to give you specific instructions based on the test you are having.

It is recommended that you schedule your test for early in the day so that most of your fasting time takes place while you are asleep. During the fasting period, you can drink water, but you should avoid all other drinks, including coffee and tea.

How long to fast for a lipid profile test

To prepare for a life insurance medical exam, it is recommended that you make some changes to your diet and lifestyle in the weeks and days leading up to the exam. Here are some guidelines on how long to fast for a lipid profile test, which is often part of the medical exam for life insurance:

A lipid profile test, also known as a cholesterol test, checks the levels of cholesterol and other fats in your blood, such as triglycerides. High levels of these fats can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. While some lipid profile tests may not require fasting, your doctor may ask you to fast for 8 to 12 hours before the test to ensure accurate results.

• High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Level Test: This test measures the "good" cholesterol that helps get rid of "bad" cholesterol (LDL). A fasting period of 9 to 12 hours is typically recommended.
• Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Level Test: This test measures the "bad" cholesterol that mainly causes blockages in arteries. A standard fasting period of 9 to 12 hours is recommended.
• Triglyceride Level Test: Triglyceride levels are usually included in the lipid profile and can indicate your risk for heart attack or stroke. You will likely be asked to fast for 9 to 12 hours.
• Lipoprotein (a) Blood Test: Lipoprotein (a) is a particle made of protein and fats, and it can help estimate your risk of heart disease and stroke. A fasting period of 9 to 12 hours is often required.

Preparing for the Fast

• Schedule the Test for Early in the Morning: By scheduling your test for the morning, most of your fasting period will occur while you are asleep.
• Drink Plenty of Water: Water is allowed and encouraged during the fast. Staying hydrated will make your veins more visible and accessible for the blood draw.
• Avoid Certain Beverages: Avoid coffee, tea, juice, soda, and other beverages besides water. These drinks can affect your test results.
• Avoid Certain Foods: Red meat, in particular, is a high-cholesterol food that should be avoided before the test.
• Refrain from Chewing Gum: Even sugar-free gum can affect the results of certain tests.
• Avoid Smoking: Traces of nicotine can remain in your blood for up to 5 days and can affect lipoprotein levels.
• Refrain from Strenuous Exercise: Blood tests provide the most accurate results when your body is at rest. Avoid strenuous exercise for at least 24 hours before the test.
• Consult Your Doctor: Always consult your doctor or healthcare provider for specific instructions regarding the fasting period and any other requirements for the test.

By following these guidelines and fasting for the recommended period, you can help ensure the accuracy of your lipid profile test results, which are an important component of the life insurance medical exam.

What to avoid before a fasting blood test

To prepare for a fasting blood test, it is recommended that you fast for 8 to 12 hours beforehand. This means that you should not eat or drink anything other than water. Here is a list of things to avoid before a fasting blood test:

• Chewing gum: Even sugar-free gum can affect the results of your blood test.
• Smoking: Traces of nicotine can remain in your blood for up to 5 days and can affect your lipoprotein levels.
• Alcohol: Alcohol can affect your enzyme, glucose, and lipid levels. Your doctor may instruct you to refrain from drinking alcohol for 24 hours before your test.
• Exercise: Strenuous exercise can affect the accuracy of your blood test results. It is recommended to refrain from vigorous exercise for at least 24 hours before the test.
• Certain medications and supplements: Check with your doctor about whether you need to refrain from taking any medications or supplements before the test.
• Caffeine: Coffee, tea, and energy drinks contain caffeine, which can interfere with blood test results.

It is important to follow your doctor's instructions and ask for clarification if you are unsure about what to avoid before your fasting blood test.

What to do if you forget to fast

If you forget to fast before a blood test for life insurance, it is important to be honest and inform the technician when your blood is being drawn. They will make a note of this, and the results will be reviewed with your food intake as a variable. If fasting is deemed absolutely necessary for meaningful results, the technician will stop the procedure and reschedule your blood draw.

If you are unable to reschedule, it is still important to inform the technician that you did not fast. This is because the results may not be accurate, and this could cause you unnecessary stress if your results are outside the range of normal. It may also prompt your healthcare provider to alter a medication dose or order additional testing that is unnecessary and costly.

If you are concerned about the accuracy of the results, you can request a second exam. You are also entitled to receive a copy of your results, which you can review with your doctor.

In the future, to ensure that you do not forget to fast, you can schedule your test for first thing in the morning, allowing you to sleep through the fasting period. You can also set reminders on your phone or leave yourself notes to remind you to fast.

Frequently asked questions