Where: |  | 1st location: ORMC Outpatient Lab, 1st floor of Park Tower, Oconee Regional Medical Center. Hours 7am – 6pm.
2nd location: ORMC Outreach Lab, Milledgeville Medical Center, Ste 220, 750 N Cobb St. Hours 8am – 5pm
Bring your doctor’s order and insurance information with you. |
| | |
Purpose : | | The glucose tolerance test, also known as the oral glucose tolerance test, measures your body's response to sugar (glucose). The glucose tolerance test can be used to screen for type 2 diabetes. More commonly, a modified version of the glucose tolerance test is used to diagnose gestational diabetes — a type of diabetes that develops only during pregnancy.
The glucose tolerance test is done in several steps. First your fasting blood sugar level is measured, and then you drink a sugary solution. This is followed by one or more blood tests over the course of two to three hours. |
| | |
Preparation: | | It's important to eat and drink normally in the days leading up to the glucose tolerance test. For eight hours before the test, however, you won't be able to eat or drink anything. You might want to fast overnight and schedule the test for early the following morning. |
| | |
Procedure: | | The glucose tolerance test is done in several steps. When you arrive at the lab, a member of your health care team will take a sample of blood by pricking your fingertip or inserting a needle into a vein in your arm. This blood sample will be used to measure your fasting blood sugar level.
If you're being tested for type 2 diabetes, you'll drink about 8 ounces (237 milliliters) of a syrupy glucose solution that contains 2.6 ounces (75 grams) of sugar. The glucose solution is often cola- or orange-flavored. Two hours later, your blood sugar level will be measured again.
If you're being tested for gestational diabetes, you'll drink about 8 ounces (237 milliliters) of a glucose solution that contains 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of sugar. Your blood sugar level will be tested again one, two and three hours later. You may not eat, drink, or smoke during this time.
After drinking the glucose solution, we prefer you remain at the lab while you're waiting for your blood sugar levels to be tested. If not, you must be at the lab at the specified times for the blood draws.
You may feel some of these sensations during the test:
-Nausea
-Stomach ache
-Headache
After the glucose tolerance test, you can return to your usual activities immediately.  |
| | |
After Care: | | You may resume all normal activities after the test. Follow up with your attending physician to discuss results. Results usually are available to the physician in 2 business days. |
| | |
Reviewed: | | 09/09/2008
Copyright 2008, Oconee Regional Medical Center
821 N. Cobb Street Milledgeville, GA 31061, (478) 454-3505 |