How long one has to abstain from alcohol before blood work.

[Quaich1]

This is an interesting topic. It came to mind as I have some routine blood work tomorrow at the lab and decided I better not have any single malt today as I don't want to take a chance that it might affect the accuracy of the results.

Anybody have any specific knowledge on this topic in terms of actual length of time of abstinence before test?

The general answer I got on the web was quite general:

'Blood tests require accuracy. Taking certain liquids such as alcohol may affect the accuracy of the test's results. It is therefore advisable to avoid taking alcohol before a blood test. Contact your healthcare professional for more information".
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"Always carry a large flagon of whisky in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake."
W.C. Fields (1880-1946)

[Fergie]

I would guess that any effect of alcohol would have passed through your system in 24 hours, whether any trace or effect still exists in your blood i dont know

[albo]

I'd say 24 hours should be fine.

[William]

Good question Murray, it is possible that alcohol can alter blood constituents and provide misleading results. I would say 24 hours abstinence before a test should be fine.
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There's no bad whisky. Just good whisky and better whisky.

[nitram]

24 hours should be more than enough I'd have thought. If you take your hip flask you can make sure it doesn't have to be any longer than 24.....

[albo]