Oral glucose tolerance test

The oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) to test, also referred to glucose tolerance test, as the measures the ability of the body to metabolize glucose, or disable it from the bloodstream. The test is used for the diagnosis of diabetes, gestational diabetes (diabetes mellitus in pregnancy), or prediabetes (a condition records by higher-than normal blood sugar levels, which around can lead to type 2 diabetes).

According to the national institutes of health (NIH), the OGTT is better able to diagnose high blood glucose levels after a challenge glucose as fasting blood glucose testing. A doctor may recommend it if he or she will suspect diabetes in cases where a patient is normal fasting blood glucose level. The test is more time-consuming and complicated than the fasting blood glucose testing.

The participants of the OGTT diagnose diabetes or prediabetes, who are not pregnant should eat a normal, balanced diet of the week before the test. Experts recommend that at least 150 to 200 grams of carbohydrates per day contain this diet. Patients must quickly for at least 8 to 12 hours before the test.

After fasting, blood will be drawn, producing a fasting glucose level. Next, a sugary drink (glucose realm) must drink patients quickly. Typically, the drink contains 75 grams of carbohydrates, while other payments are possible. Blood will be drawn to measure blood sugar levels, is one hour and two hours after the drinks consumed at different intervals.

The test shows how quickly the glucose from the blood for the use of cells as a source of energy is metabolised. Delete the normal rate of glucose is absorbed by glucose. After fasting is the normal blood glucose rate 60 and 100 mg / dL (milligrams per deciliter).

75 G glucose, normal blood glucose levels are: 1 hour: less than 200 mg / dL 2 hours: less than 140 mg / dL. Between 140-200 mg / dL is impaired glucose tolerance (in diabetes). In this area, a patient is an increased risk for developing diabetes. More than 200 mg / dL diabetes specifies.Pregnancy affects a woman metabolize blood sugar. That is why the American Diabetes Association recommends an oral glucose tolerance test, which checks for gestational diabetes, for all pregnant. This test is during the 24th to the 28th week of pregnancy. It is usually the dose of glucose, the 50 or 100 grams. Normal values for pregnancy are described in the following. Values above this range type gestational diabetes:

That is for the 50-gram oral glucose tolerance test to screen for gestational diabetes:

For the 100-gram oral glucose tolerance test: Fasting: less than 1 hour 95 mg / dL: less than 180 mg / dL 2 hours: less than 3 hours 155 mg / dL: less than 140 mg / dLAbnormally high glucose may before diabetes, diabetes or gestational diabetes. However, patients are probably prompted to undergo an other glucose screening test to confirm a diagnosis.

Keep in mind that the oral glucose tolerance test is used not only to the diagnosis of diabetes, but also information about the ability of the body metabolize provide blood sugar. Higher values are probably diet and way of life issues and problems of the functioning of insulin against. In this sense, this test is a signal for action, which help patients to take control of your health.

Sources:

"Glucose tolerance test." Medical Center at the University of Maryland. August 11 2006. Medical Center, University of Maryland. 9 Oct. 2007. .

"Oral glucose tolerance test during pregnancy." The Cleveland Clinic health information center. October 31, 2006. The Cleveland Clinic. 9 Oct. 2007. .

"Glucose tolerance test." MEDLINE plus medical encyclopedia. August 11, 2006. US National Library of medicine and the national institutes of health. 9 Oct. 2007.


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