It’s also called a glucose tolerance test and is safe for adults and children.
For the test, you drink a syrupy solution after not eating for a while (fasting).
A few blood samples are taken to see how your body is handling the sugar in the drink.
Illustration by Emily Roberts, Verywell
Some of the glucose will be used for energy and the rest is stored to use later.
The amount of glucose in your blood is controlled by the hormonesinsulinandglucagon.
The body is usually able to maintain the ideal balance of blood glucose.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
The oral glucose tolerance test is can spot imbalances in this process that other tests can miss.
Some patients may need tofollow a low-carbohydrate dietfor the test.
You would then move on to doing the full, three-hour oral glucose tolerance test.
Some providers set the threshold for requiring a second test as low as 130 mg/dL.
The oral glucose tolerance test is very accurate.
The percentage of correct positive test results (sensitivity) is between 81% and 93%.
That’s far better than the FGP, which has a sensitivity of between 45%and 54%.
There are very few side effects or risks if you’re doing the oral glucose tolerance test.
Some people have a hard time drinking the oral glucose solution.
They may feel nauseated and even vomit.
If this happens, the test may not be able to be completed that day.
People are watched closely during the test to double-check that they are OK.
If they get low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), they will be treated right away.
Who Should Not Do the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test?
Before the Test
Your provider will tell you how to prepare for your oral glucose tolerance test.
Stress and anxiety can also affect your blood sugar levels.
Location
it’s possible for you to’t do the oral glucose tolerance test at home.
you’re able to bring a sweatshirt or sweater to put on in case you get chilly.
Your provider will give you instructions.
You will usually be allowed to have some water if you’re gonna wanna take medication.
Certain medications affect your blood sugar levels.
Never stop taking your medications without talking to your provider first.
However, activities like video games might be too overstimulating, especially for kids.
Instead, watch a calming video on your tablet or phone or read a picture book to young children.
If youdo not have health insurance, shop around for the best price.
Independent labs tend to have lower costs than healthcare providers' offices or hospitals.
During the Test
An oral glucose tolerance test is a little different from other blood sugar tests.
An oral glucose tolerance test looks at both your fasting and non-fasting blood sugar levels.
Your temperature andblood pressuremight also be taken.
Next, you will be asked to roll up your sleeve for the firstblood draw.
They will clean the spot with an antiseptic wipe.
Usually, abutterfly needleis used to take your blood.
You usually are not allowed to leave until you are done with the test.
After two hours, you will have blood taken again.
Once all of the blood samples have been taken, you’ve got the option to go home.
you’re able to manage these symptoms by taking an over-the-counteranti-diarrheal medication, sippingginger tea, or chewingpeppermintgum.
You may have a little pain, swelling, orbruisingon your arms where blood was taken.
Your test results will include reference ranges with high and low numeric values.
Any result that’s between the high and low values is considered normal.
If both tests are positive, the diagnosis is definitive.
Three-hour oral glucose tolerance test results are interpreted differently.
Abnormal values need to be confirmed by having you do the test again.
After the second test, if two or more values are high, then gestational diabetes is definitively diagnosed.
bang out 1 diabetes is anautoimmune disorder.
With this form of diabetes, your immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in your pancreas.
Your provider can order blood tests to see if you haveautoantibodiesthat are associated with the disease.
Another test called aC-peptide testcan also be used.
jot down 2 diabetes is not an autoimmune disease.
You may need to have routine blood tests every three to six months.
Your provider may also recommend drug therapies, likemetforminorinsulin, to help you better control your blood sugar levels.
The current treatment recommendations are:
Learning that you have diabetes can be overwhelming.
If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your provider about your treatment plan.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Summary
The oral glucose tolerance test can help diagnose different types of diabetes.
During the test, you’ll drink a beverage that has sugar (glucose) in it.
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ACOG releases guideline on gestational diabetes.Am Fam Physician.2014 Sep 15;90(6):416-417.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Fasting before a blood test.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.National diabetes statistics report.
