Do I need to fast for iron and thyroid blood tests?

[TheBatteriesHaveRunOut]

I have an appointment this morning for blood tests for iron and thyroid function but I have no idea whether I need to fast - does anyone know?

I booked it online and there was no information there, and the receptionists at the doctor's don't know and can't put me through to anyone who might.

I really want a cup of tea.

HELP!

Not to my knowledge.
Unless you get checked for blood sugar and cholesterol too?

no

PHEW

Thank you - googling seemed to indicate the same but I don't trust google. Mumsnet, however, far more reliable.

No, not blood sugar or cholesterol, just iron and thyroid.

Thank you both!

No, you don't. You fast for the glucose/diabetes one.

Oops, sorry it didn't post when i first tried!

I had them done last week. I had my Drs appt then walked next door & had blood tests straight after.

There is no need to fast.

Also if you had to fast you would have been advised to do so by the GP in any case.

Isnt there a little tick box on the form? DS had a test last week and there was on the forms our gps have.

I booked it online and I didn't see a tick box to do with fasting.

GP didn't mention whether or not to fast, how is one supposed to know if they don't say either way? I had a test once where I was meant to fast but wasn't told.

Anyway, I am now relieved of a few thimblefuls of blood thanks to the very nice phlebotomist, and better still, I can now have lunch. [yum]

Thanks for replies.

They should tell you if you need to fast, and that only tends to be for the through Diabetes one. If they ever didn't make it clear (my Doctors tend to tell you several times and give you a leaflet if you need to fast), you should have complained.

I raised not having been told when I was there. But I'm not going to make an official complaint.

Yes, the GP should have made it clear when the suggestion to get the tests was made, but didn't. It was a telephone conversation so they couldn't give me any literature, if that's even policy there. Due to the method of booking the test itself (online) there was no one to ask, nor did I manage to find the information on the nhs website. But that could just have been me and my useless looking.

However, mn to the rescue, no harm done. Now I just have to wait for the results...