How long to stop vitamins before fasting labs?

On Monday I go in for my 3-month fasting labs. When I made my appointment, I was told to stop vitamins 48 hours before. Today, when I received my reminder message, they said to stop vitamins 24 hours before. The office is now closed for the weekend, and I'm wondering if I should do 24 or 48 hours. Suggestions?

I was never told to stop the vitamins prior to fasting labs. I would go with the 48 hours it won't hurt you to miss once in awhile. So I would play it safe.

I've never been told to stop vitamins before labs.  I honestly don't know if it would make that big a difference since it's possible they're still in your system 1-2 days after stopping, but that's just my opinion.  I have no idea, of course, that's why we have medical professionals.

I normally just do a regular fast the morning of - particularly protein.  I skip my shake the morning of lab work to avoid throwing off the results, but otherwise, everything else is fine.

Good luck!

I agree go with the 48.

I just had labs today. No notation of not taking meds, just a fasting for 12 hours prior to surgery. I didn't have coffee this AM, as I didn't want to ruin the test. BUT, when I get to the lab, I'm told I could have had black coffee this AM, as long as no creamer or sugar substitutes were use. I wish I would have known this at 7 AM. Having coffee would have made my morning much easier to deal with. Dave

I just don't take vitamins for however long you're suposed to be fasting (8-12 hours, usually), so if I'm having labs drawn early in the day, I won't take my bedtime or my morning vites. Other than that to esure you're truly fasting, I don't see the point in 24 or 48 hours - that would show your levels while not supplementing, and I know I have to supplement for life, so why do I care what my levels are WITHOUT my regular supplementation?

Hi,

You should stop 48 hours before.

I ahve heard that you want to stop your vitamins because they want to test what is actually in your system, not what is in your system and running around your blood stream trying to get absorbed.

I stop everything but calcium 2 days before testing and the calcium 1 day before testing.

Good luck

Catnip

But if its' already in your blood, then it's already been bsorbed by your digestive system...I asked a dietician about this (one who actually has a firm grasp on the DS), and she agreed with me, but I know other dieticians have suggested otherwise.

In the end, I would say I think the most important thing is to do it the same way EVERY TIME you have your labs drawn so you can be sure you're comparing apples to apples when you track your trends.

Thanks for all your responses. I will probably do 48 hours just to be safe.

The night before.