blood test at days 3 and 22 - fasting required?

[Anonymous]

Dr gave me lab sheets to get blood drawn on days 2 (or 3) and 22 of my cycle, so I was planning to go tomorrow morning. She mentioned something about fasting, but it's not on the lab sheet. Do I fast for these? If so, what does that mean? Does the fast include no water? Not even sure what these tests are for - she wasn't very helpful during the appt and I don't plan to see her again if I can help it. She told me I was testing earlier than she wanted b/c I haven't been TTC for a year yet (it's been 10 mos) and b/c I'm not even 35 (will be in 2 mos). But that's another post....

Thanks for any info you can give!

[Anonymous]

I am assuming those are your day 3 tests for FH, estradiol and TSH and day 21 tests for progesterone. These are the beginning blood tests you take when TTC to determine your hormone levels and if you are ovulating. But really day 21 test is on day 21 only if you know you ovulated on day 14 -- the test should be done 7 days past ovulation and if you want a more accurate result, track your ovulation in some way (OPK, temping, ferning, ov watch, etc). I never fasted for either of my tests. Definitely change docs b/c these tests are just the very basic starting points for TTC data and who cares if you are 34 and only trying for 10 months?!!

[Anonymous]

You don't need to fast for basic reproductive hormone testing (estrogen, FSH, etc.), but would if they are also running a CBC (complete blood analysis), which they might do to check your thyroid levels, etc.