Correct Fasting Hours?

Dr. Ramsetty, a two part question-  

What is the correct number of fasting hours for a fasting glucose test?  Variously, I find the number to be stated as 8, 10, or 12 hours.

Also, my worst numbers seem to be the fasting numbers (prediabetic levels of glucose) and not the post meal numbers (normal levels of glucose) numbers.  I understand that for some, a high protein snack just before commencing the fast may help this a bit?

[Anita Ramsetty, MD]

Hi,
The MINIMUM number of hours for the fast is 8 hours, so that may be why you see different recommended times overall.

I do not know if a high protein snack will make that much of a difference because the fast should not be reflective of anything you have eaten recently, if the fast is long enough and your glucose metabolism is normal. If you find that eating a low carb meal(or high protein) before your fasting test makes a big difference, that still suggests that your glucose metabolism is not optimal.

Hope this answers your question, take care.