Glucose Tolerance Test

Diabetes and Foot Problems Slideshow

Medical Revision Author: Ruchi Mathur, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

• What is the glucose tolerance test?
• How reliable is the glucose tolerance test?
• What does the glucose tolerance test measure?
• How are the results of the glucose tolerance test evaluated?

What is the glucose tolerance test?

Though not routinely used anymore, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is the gold standard for making the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. It is still commonly used for diagnosing gestational diabetes. With an oral glucose tolerance test, the person fasts overnight (at least 8 but not more than 16 hours). Then first, the fasting plasma glucose is tested. After this test, the person receives 75 grams of glucose (100 grams for pregnant women). There are several methods employed by obstetricians to do this test, but the one described here is standard. Usually, the glucose is in a sweet-tasting liquid that the person drinks. Blood samples are taken up to four times to measure the blood glucose.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

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