Glucose tolerance test: Testing for diabetes
A simple blood test can often detect
diabetes. If the test produces borderline results, a glucose tolerance test may
help with the final diagnosis. In a healthy person, glucose levels will
rise after eating a meal and return to normal once the glucose is used or
stored by the body. A glucose tolerance test can help to work out the
difference between normal glucose levels and the levels seen in diabetes and
pre diabetes. The
glucose tolerance test is used to measure the body's response to glucose. The
test can be used to screen for type 2 diabetes. For this test, the levels of
glucose in the blood are compared before and after a sugary drink. Before
taking the test, the patient is asked not to eat for 8-12 hours. A sample of
blood will be taken before the test begins. This fasting sample will be used to
provide a comparison for the test results.
The individual will then be asked to drink a sugary drink
containing a known amount of glucose and water. The exact timing may vary, but
another blood sample may be taken every 30 to 60 minutes for a total of 2
hours.
Here is what the different blood glucose levels may indicate:
§ Below 140 milligrams per deciliter - normal
§ 140 to 199 milligrams per deciliter - impaired glucose tolerance or
prediabetes
§ Above 199 milligrams per deciliter - diabetes
If the test results do show diabetes, the doctor may choose to repeat
the test on another day or use another test to confirm the diagnosis.
Various factors can affect the accuracy of the glucose tolerance test.
For the test to give reliable results, the person must be in good health and
not have any other illnesses. The person should be relatively active and not be
taking any medicines that could affect their blood glucose.
By
V. V. Sathibabu Uddandrao
JRF & Ph. D Research Scholar
Department of Biochemistry
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