Hello, I wasn't sure where to ask this, but this seems as good a place as any...

I'm having blood tests next week. I was kind of surprised to have to have full blood tests just for considering finasteride, but I guess it makes sense.

Anyway, I've only ever had my blood tested once before... I fainted, lol... I had been to the gym just before and not eaten anything though. So, those of you with experience... How much blood do they extract for these tests, and is it a good idea to eat something beforehand so hopefully I won't faint this time?

Thanks,

Q.

All they take is a couple very small vials.  If you faint from hunger you've got bigger problems.

Its simple and only takes a couple minutes.

Heh. The first panel of tests for me involved about 6 or 7 of those little vials.

I asked them to leave some for me.

Quote from: Sarah Louise on May 10, 2013, 03:04:17 PM
All they take is a couple very small vials.  If you faint from hunger you've got bigger problems.

Its simple and only takes a couple minutes.

Thanks, I didn't feel hungry before... More huh it's really hot in here... Then, oh where did all these concerned looking people come from, lol.

I'll keep my fingers crossed you're right and not sam79... I was looking at the list of things they wanted to test and thinking, if each one of those is one vial... That's going to be a lot of vials!

Thanks both.

Quote from: Fezzika on May 10, 2013, 03:27:37 PM
You might ask before you eat before the test.  For cholesterol, they prefer that you don't eat beforehand.  Not sure if it's the same for any other tests.

Cholesterol wasn't listed (or not obviously to me). They, didn't say anything about food. Do i need to double check? I think it was serum lipids, fbc, liver function, estradiol, testosterone, dht, fsh, lh, shbg, prolactin, psa... Hence, why I was thinking... Wow, that sounds like a lot of blood, lol.

Quote from: Q on May 10, 2013, 02:52:48 PMHow much blood do they extract for these tests, and is it a good idea to eat something beforehand so hopefully I won't faint this time?

I can't give you specific advice, but you can ask them to hold up after they take the first liter.   

Just kidding.

Probably it is one or two little vials, depending on the tests. 

My secret method: I used to donate a pint of blood at Red Cross all the time, then platelets.  Those nurses loved my platelets.  And the first time, I felt woozy afterward, so the head Red Cross lady made me lie down for a few minutes, then escorted me to the table for cookies and hydration.  After I got used to it, I always made a point to take myself out to dinner for steak after giving blood, and I made sure there was ice cream at home when I got back.  Then I rested for the remainder of the day, got a good night's sleep.  Done. 

That's my secret.

Quote from: Fezzika on May 10, 2013, 03:50:58 PM
Lipids are somewhat in the cholesterol arena.  If they didn't say for sure, you are prob clear to eat as you please.

If you are real nice to them, they do leave some blood.

Lol, you've got me wondering now - I think I'll have to check with them.

Generous4 - steak sounds nice!

Quote from: Q on May 10, 2013, 03:58:28 PM
Generous4 - steak sounds nice!

'xactly!

.

I'm a blood draw fainter, it's easiest for me to just tell them I'm a fainter, and they lay me down on the table with the white paper on it. I even passed out there once. It's safer for everyone if I'm laying down!

My solution is never ever look at the needle or the vials no matter how many or how few.  Just like never look down when doing anything more than two feet off the ground.

When they did my blood tests, they wanted me to fast beforehand, so definitely check with them on that. It never bothered me, I'd watch them stick the little thingy in, then hook up different vials to it and watch the blood gush into them, kind of neat to watch.

I had mine taken again today. Usually 2 vials are what they get from me. Depending on the tests being run, you may or may not be able to eat 10-12 hours before. Especially if they are testing your glucose levels.

Also remember NOT to take any estrogen or spiro, etc the morning of your blood tests, as that will throw off the results.

Quote from: Q on May 10, 2013, 02:52:48 PM
Hello, I wasn't sure where to ask this, but this seems as good a place as any...

I'm having blood tests next week. I was kind of surprised to have to have full blood tests just for considering finasteride, but I guess it makes sense.

Anyway, I've only ever had my blood tested once before... I fainted, lol... I had been to the gym just before and not eaten anything though. So, those of you with experience... How much blood do they extract for these tests, and is it a good idea to eat something beforehand so hopefully I won't faint this time?

Thanks,

Q.

If your tests include a panel to look at liver function, or at your blood sugar levels, they often requite a minimum 8-hour fasting interval.  Check with your doctor's office, or call the lab and see if your orders require fasting.  Mine (orders) are clearly marked.

Also, it is a good idea before beginning any sort of hormone therapy, to have an established "baseline," against which your periodic results can be compared.

Ok, I'm definitely going to check with them on Monday as it sounds like you are all right and I should be doing some length of fasting beforehand.

Good job I asked you all!

Well, you were all correct and I did need to fast, so it was a good job I asked you all.

It was fine in the end; I didn't faint this time.

Should get the results next week.

Quote from: Q on May 17, 2013, 05:32:45 PM
[...] Should get the results next week.

Uggh, I can't believe I'm still waiting for the results of these blood tests... and I thought getting your blood tested would be straight forward!

I had all of them back except one, which the lab made a mistake on and tested something else instead... so I had to have more blood taken... and then apparently it has to be sent away somewhere else for that one so it takes a couple of weeks to come back.

So, assuming they do actually test the right thing this time, it'll have taken almost exactly a month to get my blood tested... gah! It's a good job I'm not dying of anything. (/exasperated)

I got my results in three days or something... And they took 6 vials from me as well and asked not to eat/drink anything beforehands - I heard that the prolactine levels tend act very weird if You have not fasted before.
The only type I almost fainted was when it had been extremely hot outside - like +30 C and I had commuted 14 km with my bicycle to the medical centre before submitting my blood. I believe that was stress and blood pressure thing.