Basic laboratory tests (complete blood count) are the absolute minimum, allowing you to determine the condition of the body and what steps need to be taken to achieve your goal.
Regardless of whether you want to work on your physique or improve your health, you should first do at least a complete blood count (preferably with a differential). This is also one of the first steps required before visiting a dietitian. However, you need to prepare properly for the tests… This raises questions: what should you remember and how do you do it?
How to prepare for tests?
If you want to improve your health or take a comprehensive approach to the subject, even if your goal is body shaping, then first it is worth doing at least a basic panel, i.e. the so-called complete blood count. Of course, this can be expanded with additional, more detailed tests, although even these will be a step in the right direction. All the more so because the average person is not a great fan of going to the doctor or getting tests done.
Since you have decided to do this, know that it is not enough just to go and be done with it. Preparation can affect the results obtained, and after all you do not go to the laboratory to get imprecise or distorted data, right? Let us start with the fact that it is a good idea to do a complete blood count once every 3 months, and once a year to consider a more detailed review of the body. I recommend doing the tests in one place so that everything is consistent and you do not have to worry about possible differences in the results that could appear due to differences in the equipment used by laboratories.
Does the time of day matter?
The hours for taking samples should be more or less consistent. The best time for blood collection is between 7:00 and 9:00 in the morning. This is about hormone secretion, which often depends on the time of day, a good example being cortisol.
What if I take dietary supplements?
If you use supplements, herbs, supportive extracts, or even
vitamins and minerals, then it is a good idea to stop them for a few days before the tests. The point is to get a real picture of the body’s condition. Around 5 days should be more than enough. Of course, the same applies to athletes.
A great example is
vitamin D3. If we supply additional amounts of it, which is often a good practice, then at the time of the test we will measure the level of the supplement, not the actual concentration of the vitamin in the body. That is not what we want…
Can I exercise?
Yes, but it is best to avoid increasing the intensity of training sessions. Experts, however, recommend refraining from training or heavy physical exertion on the day before the tests. As you know, under such conditions the body shows an increased demand for nutrients, which is associated with their increased use. In addition, physical activity affects the hormonal balance.
What about medications?
Well, it depends on the type of medication and the problems we deal with on a daily basis. If it does not threaten our health, discontinuation is also often recommended. Nevertheless, first of all it should be consulted with the attending physician / specialist.
Can what I eat affect test results?
Absolutely! It is important that on the day before the test we consume roughly what is on our standard menu. The exception is the last meal, which should be easy to digest and should not contain meat, dairy, sweets, or a large amount of fat. Moreover, we come for the test on an empty stomach. The best period is 12 to 14 hours after the last meal, so this is not just about skipping the meal before the test. Just in case, I will mention that alcoholic products two days beforehand are not a good idea.
What else is worth remembering?
As far as possible, it is advisable to reduce exposure to stress and sleep well so that you come for the sample collection rested. Coffee or tea will not be a good option before the test, but drinking about a liter of water is advisable.
Women, due to the menstrual cycle, should take the day of the cycle into account, depending on the type of tests performed, as this is related to their hormonal balance. If these are not strictly hormonal tests (here it is better to consult a doctor), then a good time will be after menstruation has ended.
