Please fast for 12 hours before your blood draw. Water is fine, but avoid food, coffee or tea, juice, supplements, and alcohol — so your provider can interpret your results with the clearest baseline picture.
What “Fasting” Means
During the 12-hour fasting window:
Drink water only
Do not eat food
Do not drink coffee, tea (including herbal tea), or juice — even if black or unsweetened
Do not take supplements
Avoid alcohol
Water is encouraged to help you stay hydrated.
What About Medications?
Take your medications as prescribed — unless your provider has told you otherwise.
Guidance on birth control, steroids, and other medications is covered in a separate article.
See: Do I Need to Stop Birth Control or Other Medications Before Blood Labs?
Morning Appointments Work Best
Most patients find it easiest to:
Fast overnight
Schedule a morning blood draw
Eat and take any supplements after the test is complete
Why Fasting Matters
Eating or drinking before your test can temporarily shift certain markers and make results harder to interpret as a baseline.
Fasting gives your provider the clearest picture of your baseline physiology.