Doha:A study analyzed over 9.7 million blood test results from around 101,000 adult patients between 2021 and 2023. The researchers examined the results based on fasting durations, which varied from less than eight hours to more than 12 hours.

According to Qatar News Agency, the study found that fasting duration significantly affected only 10 out of the 121 analytes studied. Notable examples include glucose, triglycerides, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and lipase, which showed higher levels in individuals who had fasted for less than eight hours.

Meanwhile, fasting did not significantly impact the majority of other test results. Additionally, fasting for more than 12 hours did not yield any further significant differences in the test outcomes.

The researchers suggested that fasting requirements might be better tailored to specific tests rather than applying a uniform rule across all blood tests. However, they emphasized that the findings do not suggest eliminating pre-test fasting instructions from physicians or laboratories, nor do they prove fasting is unnecessary in all situations.

Pre-test fasting is a standard practice aimed at reducing the influence of food and drink on certain blood test results. The necessity of fasting depends on the test type and its medical objectives.