Laboratory Testing

Alcohol affects the nervous system, along with every other cell in the body. The best way to counter the effect is not to drink it. Over time, with good health care, many of the effects can be arrested or reversed.

If you are referring to the immediate effects of drinking, such as getting drunk and the associated behavior and loss of faculties, the best solution, again, is to stop drinking and sober up. The body eliminates alcohol at the rate of 1/3 ounce per hour, more or less, regardless of what else you do. Until the level of alcohol in your blood drops sufficiently, you will remain under its influence.

Don't let my language give you the idea that I don't approve of drinking. It's none of my business. However, alcohol is a neurotoxin, and I tell it like it is.

It takes your body around 1 hour to process 1 Unit of Alcohol, so that's about half a pint of beer or one 25 ml shot or 2/3 of a 125 ml glass of wine. That number is for people with a healthy liver. For others, it may take longer.

Drinking 2 pints will take your body 4 hours to process the alcohol, increased or decreased by the amount of food in your digestive system and the health state of your liver. Usually on a good night out the Units will stack up, keeping you over the legal limit to drink and drive far far longer. In other words, if you have 10 pints, you can't drive for about 19-20 hours.

Alcohol will be out of your system completely in 3 days.
It is metabolized at the rate of about 7 gm./hr.

A complete cholesterol test - also called a lipid panel or lipid profile - is a group of blood tests that can measure the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. A cholesterol test can help determine your risk of atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaques in your arteries that can lead to narrowed or blocked arteries throughout your body. If your cholesterol levels are high, you probably won't have any signs or symptoms, so a cholesterol test is an important tool. High cholesterol levels are a significant risk factor for heart disease.

You should fast (no food or liquids other than water) for nine to 12 hours before the test. You can drink water in the time leading up to the test, but avoid coffee, tea and other beverages.

I've been fasting before the cholesterol test I'm supposed to have later today. I absent-mindedly started chewing a piece of Eclipse sugar free gum. At first, I thought the gum would have no affect on the fasting blood test, but then I read the nutrition label on the packet of gum. One serving contains 2 pieces of gum, and I only chewed one piece. So, dividing the figures from the nutritional information in half, here's the content for one piece of gum: 2.5 calories, 1 g carbohydrate (that one gram of carbs is in the form of sugar alcohol.) There is no fat, no sodium, no sugars (other than the sugar alcohol which is listed separately), and no protein.

This is how the label reads:

Serving Size 2 pieces (3 g)

Calories 5

Total Fat 0g

Sodium 0 mg

Total Carbohydrate 2g

Sugars 0g

Sugar Alcohol 2g

Protein 0g

I'll either call the lab and ask if my fasting blood test will still come out accurately, or I'll just go in and ask them after I get there. When I know the answer, I'll add it to this posting.

I got this from a lab that performs these tests because I was looking for the chewing gum answer too. So, here's your answer.... :-( Cause I'm starving....

Should I fast prior to lab work?

If your doctor orders lab work, ask if you should fast

before having the lab work done. Fasting is needed

for some lab tests because certain test values change

following the digestion of food. The measurements of

blood sugar (glucose) and some blood lipids (fats and

cholesterol) are common examples.

If you are required to fast

Please read the following fasting instructions

thoroughly. By following these instructions,

you will help us to collect the most accurate

specimen for the test your doctor has requested.

Fasting instructions

If you're asked to fast prior to lab work:

• Do not eat or drink anything (except water)

during the eight hours prior to having your blood

drawn or other specimen taken.

Note: If your physician has ordered lipid tests,

you must fast for at least 12 hours.

You may drink only water; no juice, tea,

coffee, diet soda or other beverage.

• Do not smoke, chew gum or exercise. These

activities may stimulate the digestive system and

alter test results.

• Continue to take prescription medications

unless your physician tells you otherwise.

Check with your physician about over-thecounter

medications.

After your specimen is collected, you may resume

your normal diet and activities.

Questions and Answers

Why do I have to fast?

Some test values change following the digestion of

food. For example, if you eat lots of sugar, your blood

sugar will be high. When you are fasting, we get a

base result that can be compared over time.

I'm thirsty. Can I have something to drink?

You may drink only water. Do not drink juice,

coffee, tea, diet soda or any other beverage

regardless of whether or not it has cream and/or

sugar in it.

I'm hungry. Can I eat anything?

Sorry, you may not eat anything while fasting.

Should I continue to take my medications?

Unless your physician tells you otherwise,

continue to take your prescriptions. Ask your

physician about over-the-counter medications.

May I chew gum?

No, not even sugarless. Gum stimulates your

digestive system and can alter the test results.

May I smoke?

No, smoking can affect the test results.

May I do my exercise routine?

No, exercise can affect test results.

What time should I come to the laboratory?

Most people find it convenient to stop eating

and drinking after 8 p.m. and to arrive at the

laboratory early the next morning.

Whom should I call with questions

or concerns?

In the Portland service area, please call Providence

Laboratory Client Services at 503-215-6660.

Outside of the Portland Service Area, please call:

Hood River......................