Do I Need to Fast Before Taking an Everlywell Test?

When Do I Need To Fast Before Bloodwork?

It is always important to check with your healthcare provider before going in for bloodwork to see if fasting is needed. Certain blood tests require fasting to obtain accurate results. Since they can impact blood sugar levels, it is also vital to avoid gum, smoking, or intense exercise before this test. [1]

Typically, there are a few blood tests in which it can be helpful to fast. Some of these include [1]:

• Blood sugar
• Cholesterol
• Liver function tests
• Renal function tests

While these are some of the most common blood tests for which fasting can be helpful, your healthcare provider may want you to fast before other tests as well. It is best to check with them before testing. Fasting for bloodwork is not needed for many panels.

Why Do Nutrients Affect Test Results?

The reason fasting can be helpful when testing certain lab values is that when you eat or drink calories, the nutrients consumed go into your bloodstream and are temporarily reflected in your blood levels. [2] By avoiding food and drinks that affect the blood sugar, your healthcare provider can get a better idea of what is naturally happening in your blood most often.

Typically, the fasting window is about eight to twelve hours. To make this process easier, you can try scheduling your fasting blood draw first thing in the morning so that the majority of the fast will be overnight.

Plain water does not affect blood levels, so feel free to stay hydrated during your fasting window. It is also essential to check with your provider on their recommendation regarding the continuation of medications. If you are not able to fast or if you forget, it is important to inform your provider.

What to Expect During Testing

Getting blood drawn should be a fairly straightforward process, even with fasting considered. If you need to take a test for which fasting is recommended, here is what to expect:

• Your healthcare provider will provide a recommendation for what panels you should complete.
• You will fast for twelve hours before getting the test.
• You will get blood drawn with your provider or at home. Everlywell offers several tests that you can take from the comfort of your own home by collecting a finger-prick sample.
• For at-home lab testing, you can expect to receive everything you need to collect your sample at home, pre-paid shipping, and directions for how to send it in for analysis once collected.
• You can go back to regular eating once the test is completed.
• Your results will be sent for analysis, and you will receive a directive on next steps from a qualified care provider.

Why Lab Testing Is Beneficial

If you are considering getting your labs done, fasting or non-fasting, it is important to understand why regular testing can be beneficial. Getting regular tests completed can help to optimize your health by:

• Detecting any health risks early before they progress or become issues.
• Monitoring any current health conditions you have.
• Providing peace of mind through working with qualified providers and receiving their insights.

If you are contemplating getting testing done, consider starting with the Everlywell 360 test, which looks at over 83 biomarkers in the body to provide a deep insight into health status.

FAQs

What Everlywell Tests Require Fasting?

The cholesterol and lipids test and the heart health test both require fasting. It may be recommended to fast before other tests as well, so always check with your provider.

How Do I Collect My Blood at Home?

Follow the directions provided by Everlywell to safely collect your sample at home. You can also reference this how-to video for more clarification.

What to Expect After I Complete My Fasting Blood Test

Each follow-up care visit will vary, but your provider will provide documentation of a care plan as well as a summary of the visit with personalized next steps and recommendations.

Fasting before bloodwork is not something to overthink and should be considered if recommended by your provider. Doing this from the comfort of your own home can make this process even easier, so that you do not need to travel while fasting. Get tested today with Everlywell.

References

1. Fasting for a blood test. Last reviewed August 28, 2025. Accessed December 10, 2025. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/fasting-for-a-blood-test/
2. Fasting for blood work. Cleveland Clinic. Published September 5, 2025. Accessed December 10, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/fasting-for-blood-work