Do you drink water before labs?

My 15 year old daughter does not fast before labs. She doesn’t usually eat anything but she definitely drinks fluids.

I always drink water unless instructed not to by the doctor. My husband and I always take water bottles with us to any doctor appointment including labs. You never know how long you may have to wait. Things can happen and cause delays. Having water with you keeps you from becoming dehydrated which could mess up the lab results.
PML

Hi. I read to drink a normal amount of water, but also not more than usual bc that could skew results as well (by slightly diluting certain things). Just to keep in mind.

@myringo I always make sure I am well-hydrated before labs. Nothing more than normal, just as @xplantguy1212 said. The lab techs have always told me it is easier to get our veins when we are hydrated correctly.

If a test is fasting, for me it means no food, but continue to drink my water.
Ginger

I drink water before labs because I am a hard stick. If I am hydrated it helps open the vessels. I even had a nurse tell me to be warm ( often ac is cold) before labs. So I wear a sweatshirt or sweater I can easily remove. She ran hot water over my arm which made it easier to get a good stick.

It depends on what tests they are doing. I eat and drink normally most of the time, but don't take my meds until after my blood is drawn and told that they won't need any additional blood for any specific tests. For some tests though I am told NPM, so after midnight there is nothing to eat or drink except for the medication that I am told to take (anti-rejection meds) with a sip of water. Other than that I rinse my mouth out really well with my water pick and brush my teeth, but nothing else by mouth. Rinsing my mouth out really well helps with feeling dehydrated. I have had it take until 4PM before I was allowed to eat or drink anything, so it is important. Regardless if I can eat or drink the day of the tests, I make sure to drink a little more water the next day, which helps with the dehydration. I have only had an issue once with them not being able to take my blood and that was the person not my veins.

Thanks everyone for the responses. I don’t think any of my labs say fasting and lab never asks so maybe a glass of water won’t hurt. Thanks everyone

@myringo, When in doubt, it is always ok to ask.
As for myself, I have my routine labs and Prograf lab done every 3 months now that I'm 14 years post transplant. Since the prograf test has to be before my 8AM meds, I go first thing in morning when my lab opens at 7AM, and I do take a sip or two of water beforehand. Then treat myself to a donut from local bakery to enjoy with a cup of coffee when I get home.

Once a year, I return to Mayo Rochester, for my annual check-up. On that day, my labs are usually 6AM and I di fast from food and water because I have some tests afterwards with a NO food or water directive. On those days, I do still take my meds after the labs with a small amount of water.
@myringo, I'm happy to welcome you to Connect.

All the same for me. I am only 8 months post kidney transplant, but I was ESRD for 10 years before that. I was told to stay well hydrated. Actually, that's advice that I've been told for all days, not just test days. I start every morning with a large glass of water and usually fast until noon or 1:00PM. I try to not eat anything after 8PM so I get 16 and 8 intermitent fasting also.

@adrienne0329 I would like to reach out and extend a Welcome to Mayo Connect.
I realize that the topic of drinking water before labs extends to everyone, but since you posted in the Transplant Support Group (and that is okay) I am wondering if your daughter is a transplant patient.
I am curious - Are her labs related to a transplant or to another health issue?