The glucose tolerance test is a blood test for diagnosing diabetes mellitus, also known as diabetes. The test shows how the body reacts to glucose. Show
Diabetes is a chronic blood condition in which the body cannot process glucose effectively because of insulin deficiency or resistance to insulin within cells. This results in high blood sugar levels. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Early diagnosis can be the key to effective treatment and reducing the risk of long-term complications. The most common type is the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Find out about the glucose tolerance test, any risks of the procedure, and other ways to confirm diabetes. A glucose tolerance test measures glucose levels in the body. A healthcare provider will measure and compare a person’s blood glucose levels before and after a sugary drink. Because a person does the test over 2 hours, it can show the doctor how the body processes glucose. In a healthy person, the blood glucose level will rise after eating sugary food and return to normal after the body absorbs the glucose. In a person with diabetes, blood sugar levels may remain high. The test measures this response. Before taking the test, a person should fast for 8–12 hours. They cannot eat or drink, but they can usually sip some water during this time. The person should speak to their doctor in advance about:
The doctor may give advice about how to take any regular medications during the time of fasting. On the dayOn the day, the healthcare provider will:
ResultsThe final result will indicate whether a person has or is at risk of developing diabetes:
If the test result suggests prediabetes or diabetes, a doctor will discuss treatment options for addressing this. Various factors can alter the accuracy of the test. For reliable results, a person must:
Some medications and other factors can lead to high blood glucose levels. Sometimes, a person will do a different test or repeat the test, to confirm the results. The glucose tolerance test can also help diagnose gestational diabetes. The person may take a two-part test: Glucose screening test: The person has a blood test without fasting, then drinks a glucose drink and has another blood test one hour later. If the result is 140 mg/dL, the doctor may recommend a second test, the glucose tolerance test. Glucose tolerance test: The person will have a fasting blood test, then drink a glucose drink and have further blood tests 1, 2, and maybe 3 hours later. If blood sugar levels are high, and the person has not had a diagnosis of diabetes before, the doctor will probably diagnose gestational diabetes. What is gestational diabetes?Share on PinterestWomen may need to self-monitor blood sugar levels during pregnancy.Gestational diabetes starts when the body is unable to make all of the insulin it needs for pregnancy. Low insulin levels, combined with hormonal changes, can lead to insulin resistance. When this happens, high levels of glucose build up in the blood. This can lead to the following complications:
Doctors usually recommend a glucose tolerance test between weeks 24–28 of pregnancy. Those with a higher risk may need a test earlier in the pregnancy. Who is at risk?Risk factors for gestational diabetes include:
If a person gains more weight than is usual during pregnancy, this may be a sign of gestational diabetes, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). A study published in 2015 notes that gestational diabetes affects 14 percent of pregnancies every year. TreatmentShare on PinterestWhether diabetes occurs during pregnancy or not, a healthful, low-sugar diet is essential.If results suggest that blood sugar levels are high, the doctor may recommend the following:
The healthcare provider will advise on each person’s needs and treatment plan, as diabetes affects everyone differently. Most people do not experience any side effects from glucose testing, and serious complications are rare. As it involves fasting and blood testing, the glucose tolerance test might cause nausea, light-headedness, shortness of breath, and sweating in some people. The doctor uses a needle to draw the blood, so the injection may cause moderate pain for some. More serious but less common risks include:
The glucose tolerance test is not the only way to diagnose diabetes. Doctors use other tests to diagnose and monitor the condition. Hemoglobin A1CThis test measures average blood glucose over 2–3 months. It shows the percentage of blood sugar attached to hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in the red blood cells. Normal levels are 5.6 percent or lower, 5.7–6.4 percent suggests prediabetes, and 6.5 percent and above indicates diabetes. Fasting plasma glucoseThis test measures blood glucose levels while a person is fasting. The person will not be able to eat or drink anything, except sips of water, for at least 8 hours beforehand. Glucose levels of 126 mg/dL or higher indicate diabetes. Prediabetes levels are 100–125 mg/dL, and normal levels are below 100 mg/dL. Random blood sugar testA physician takes a blood sample at any time, and not necessarily when fasting. People who have serious diabetes symptoms may have this test. If blood glucose levels are 200 mg/dL at any time, this indicates that diabetes is present. People with diabetes should monitor their blood glucose levels regularly, using a home testing kit or continuous glucose monitor. Glucose tolerance testing is an important diagnostic tool for identifying diabetes. If blood glucose levels are above 140 mm/dL, this may indicate diabetes. Current guidelines recommend regular screening for people from the age of 45 years, or younger for those with risk factors, such as obesity, previous gestational diabetes, or a family history of diabetes. What is the normal range for 2 hour glucose test during pregnancy?Two hours after drinking the glucose solution, a normal blood glucose level is lower than 155 mg/dL (8.6 mmol/L).
What is the normal range for a 1 hour glucose test?So what's the one-hour glucose test normal range? According to the Mayo Clinic: Blood sugar level below 140 mg/dL is normal and considered passing. (Note that some doctors use a threshold of 130 mg/dL)
What is 75g oral glucose tolerance test?In the glucose tolerance test, 75 g of glucose are dissolved in 250 to 300 ml of water. The amount given to children is based on their body weight. If the test is being done to confirm suspected diabetes, blood is drawn again after two hours and the blood sugar level is measured.
What are good glucose levels for pregnancy?We suggest the following target for women testing blood glucose levels during pregnancy: Before a meal: 95 mg/dl or less. One hour after a meal: 140 mg/dl or less. Two hours after a meal: 120 mg/dl or less.
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