Is it possible to eat before donating blood for hepatitis B and C: what is important

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

A blood test is the main way to detect a number of diseases, including different types of hepatitis (especially C, which develops without overt symptoms). The accuracy of the procedure largely depends on the correct preparation for it. Therefore, it is worth considering whether it is possible to eat before donating blood for hepatitis B and C, and what other recommendations are there from doctors.

What to consider before the procedure

Blood sampling for analysis is carried out in the morning, preferably from 7-9 o'clock, no later than 11. Therefore, the last meal before the analysis should be dinner. In this case, it is advisable to give preference to light meals. Then, within 8-10 hours, a complete refusal of food and drinks (with the exception of water) is required.

Especially clearly, the analysis results can be distorted:

• sugar (it is impossible to accurately determine the glucose level);
• fatty foods (changes cholesterol, potassium, alkaline phosphatase and triacylglycerides);
• consumption of tomatoes, bananas and nuts (affect serotonin);
• inclusion of yellow or orange vegetables in the diet (the bilirubin indicator will be overestimated);
• tea or coffee (changes the level of cortisol, red blood cells, white blood cells and glucose).

Although you need to donate blood for analysis on an empty stomach, the fasting period should not exceed 14 hours. Otherwise, the results obtained cannot be compared with the norm.

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Even a small amount of sugar that has entered the body can affect the correctness of determining the composition of the blood. Therefore, it is not recommended to brush your teeth in the morning before going to the hospital, as sugar is usually added to popular toothpastes.

Some experts allow certain indulgences. For example, they are allowed to eat a light breakfast 2-3 hours before donating blood, and also to brush their teeth in the morning. However, these nuances should first be discussed with the attending physician, and then act in accordance with his instructions.

The day before analysis

On the eve of going to the treatment room, it is important to switch to a healthy diet. From the diet, you will have to exclude fatty foods that will not have time to be absorbed by the body in a short time.

The restrictions also affect physical activity. The day before the analysis, the following are prohibited:

• pool;
• gym;
• outdoor activities including cycling, skiing or skating;
• long climbs up the stairs without emergency;
• other intense physical activity.

At the same time, a complete rejection of movement is also harmful. Moderate physical activity stabilizes the concentration of substances in the blood, and also improves the condition of the body.

It is important to get enough sleep before being tested for hepatitis. To do this, you should be in bed at your usual sleep time, and get up at least an hour before the procedure.

3-5 days before analysis

At this stage, the following are canceled:

• physiotherapy;
• massage sessions;
• x-ray or ultrasound.

3-5 days before the procedure, alcoholic beverages are excluded from the diet. It doesn't hurt to reevaluate the number of cigarettes you smoke per day. Ideally, you should stop smoking completely during this time.

Other recommendations

Other medical procedures also affect blood test results:

• operations;
• taking a biopsy;
• injections;
• transfusion;
• all kinds of medical manipulations;
• taking antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and other medications.

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After major surgical interventions, taking potent drugs, enough time must pass before the body is ready for examination.

When prescribing an analysis, you need to notify the doctor about all the procedures that have been carried out in recent months, and the medications that have been used previously and continue to be taken at the present time. Separately, it is necessary to mention medications, the reception of which cannot be canceled.

Another factor that distorts the test result is stress. Therefore, it is important to try to minimize all the anxiety in front of the medical office. Adequate sleep and a measured schedule in the morning usually contribute to calmness. Emotional stability is another good reason to go to bed on time, wake up early and not rush to get ready.

Having found out whether it is possible to eat before donating blood for hepatitis B and C, we can conclude that refusal to follow the recommendations of the attending physician may result in an incorrect result, and in the future, incorrect treatment.

In addition, it is important to inform your doctor about any surgeries or other procedures performed that may affect your blood test results. If the conditions for preparing for the analysis were violated, this should also be said in advance. In this case, the procedure will be postponed to another date.

Outcomes

Preparing for the analysis, you need:

• refuse to eat at least 8-10 hours before the procedure;
• adjust nutrition 3-5 days before going to the treatment room;
• exclude or minimize intense physical activity, but do not give up movement completely;
• if possible, reduce tobacco consumption and remove alcohol from the diet;
• take care of the emotional state.