Fasting for less than 8 hours may have minimal impact on routine blood test results, according to a new study reported on October 4.

The research found that most routine blood tests are only minimally affected by fasting duration, with only a few tests requiring a full 8-hour fast. That contradicts the common practice of asking patients to fast overnight before blood work.

The study suggests many tests can be performed without fasting, which could streamline procedures and reduce inconvenience, especially for people with diabetes or those who find long fasting difficult.

The findings may eventually influence medical guidelines, but the researchers have not disclosed full details of the study's methods. Until guidelines change, patients should continue following their own doctor's instructions.

The study is trending across five outlets and could reshape how clinics handle one of the most common patient complaints. Patients should ask their doctor before changing any fasting routine, as some tests still require the full fast.