Should I stop taking my medication or supplements before a blood draw?

Molecular You recommends consulting with your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare professional and does not generally recommend discontinuing prescribed medication or supplements before blood draw. Here's why it's important to consult with your healthcare professional:

Prescribed Medications:

Never stop taking prescribed medications without consulting your doctor. Some medications need to be in your system for blood tests to give accurate results. Stopping them abruptly could not only negatively impact your health but could also skew the test results needed to make decisions about your health.

Non-Prescribed Medications (Over-the-Counter):

Discuss even common over-the-counter (OTC) medications with your doctor. Things like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, allergy medications, and even some cold remedies can affect certain test results. Your doctor can tell you if it's safe to continue or whether you should temporarily pause.

Supplements (Vitamins, Minerals, Herbals, etc.):

Tell your doctor about any supplements you take. Some vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements can interfere with blood test results. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking them for a short period before your blood draw.

Important Considerations

Don't make assumptions. Even if a medication or supplement seems harmless, it might have unexpected interactions with your blood test. Always inform your doctor and the lab technician about everything you take.

It's important to let us know what medications and supplements you are taking in your health profile section.