Do I really need to fast before getting tests for vitamin B12, vitamin D, CBC, and thyroid? I was told to get these because I'm dealing with hair fall, but I'm not sure if fasting is necessary. Can you clarify this for me?

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Anshul Maheshwari

General Practitioner

MBBS
5+ Yrs

Consult Now

The needle-like stomach pain could be due to gas, acid reflux, food poisoning, or stress. To alleviate the discomfort:

Self-Care

Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water.

Avoid triggers: Steer clear of spicy, fatty, or heavy foods.

Over-the-counter relief: Try antacids or acid reducers like Tums, Rolaids, or Zantac.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Severe pain: Unbearable or worsening pain.

Vomiting: Vomiting blood or severe vomiting.

Fever: High fever (over 101.5F).

Abdominal tenderness: Stomach tenderness to the touch.

Dr. Anshul Suggests...

Consult a Dermatologist

Find a Dermatologist

Answered 04/07/2025

Ask Apollo

AI powered Health Chatbot

Continue Chat

For your tests related to hair fall, here are some key points to know about fasting requirements:

Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D tests: Generally, you do not need to fast before these blood tests. They can be done at any time of the day.
Complete Blood Count (CBC): No fasting is required for a CBC test.
Thyroid function tests: These also do not require fasting.

It's always a good idea to follow any specific instructions given by your healthcare provider or the lab. If you are taking any medications or supplements, mention them before the test.

If you have any other concerns or symptoms, discussing them with your doctor will help tailor the testing and treatment plan effectively.

More Dermatology Health Queries

View all

I've been dealing with a stubborn boil on my butt and it got really inflamed and red, so my doctor put me on antibiotics for five days. The swelling has gone down since then, but the boil isn't completely healed yet. It still oozes a bit of pus and blood when I squeeze it, though it's almost flat now. I'm just a bit worried because it's taking longer to heal than I expected. Do you think this is normal? Should I be doing anything else to help it heal completely?

That will heal don't try to squeeze it, consume balanced diet

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

I accidentally put undiluted Dettol on my nose and chin a few days ago, and when it started burning, I washed it off. This morning, I noticed that the skin feels really tight, dry, and flaky. When I tried to peel it off, the skin underneath looks red and is still burning. I'm worried about how to treat this and avoid any scars. What should I do?

No need to worry there is no further complications with this, and the reaction might be due to concentrated Dettol, it usually heals on its own if the exposed area is large and giving you pain , visit your Dermatologist for appropriate treatment.

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors