The Oral Glucose Load Test, also known as the Sugar Curve, Glucose Tolerance Test, or Glycemic Curve, is one of the basic tests for people who have abnormal blood sugar levels or are at risk. The glucose tolerance test is also a mandatory test for pregnant women. How is the oral glucose load test performed and how should the results be interpreted?

Sugar curve - indications

The oral glucose load test, also known as the sugar curve, glucose tolerance test, or glycemic curve, can reliably confirm or rule out diabetes.

Sugar curve in pregnancy

The sugar curve is a mandatory test for pregnant women to check if they are developing gestational diabetes.

In addition, it should be performed by people whose fasting blood sugar is slightly elevated or normal, but whose doctor suspects diabetes.

Sugar curve - how to prepare?

The test is painless, but it takes more than 2 hours. For the 3 days prior to the test, a normal carbohydrate-rich diet (at least 150 g per day) is followed. If possible, discontinue carbohydrate-disrupting medications (diuretics, oral contraceptives, steroids) for 3 days.

The last meal can be eaten up to 12 hours before the test. 24 hours before it, you should not drink alcohol, smoke or exercise. For the result to be reliable, the general he alth of the examined person must be good, because even a cold can falsify it.

Sugar curve - study

At the clinic, the patient receives a venous blood sample (do not use glucometers for the test), from which the initial sugar level is determined. The patient then receives 75 g of glucose dissolved in 250-300 ml of water, which he must drink within 5 minutes.

Another blood sample is taken after 60 minutes, and the third one after another hour. While waiting for blood collection, the patient cannot leave the clinic and exert pressure on the body.

Important

Sugar curve - norms

Normal fasting blood sugar should not exceed 99 mg / dl (5.6 mmol / l), and 2 hours after drinking glucose (oral test) 140 mg / dl (7.8 mmol / l) ).

Sugar curve - results

Pre-diabetes may suggest results100-125 mg / dl (5.6-6.9 mmol / l), and after 2 hours 140-199 mg / dl (7.8-11 mmol / l).

Diabetes is confirmed by the results in the second hour of the test from 200 mg / dl (11.1 mmol / l). Diabetes can also be diagnosed by measuring the blood sugar level - when it is 126 mg / dl (7.0 mmol / l) or higher, but this result must be found twice.

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About the authorAnna Jarosz A journalist who has been involved in popularizing he alth education for over 40 years. Winner of many competitions for journalists dealing with medicine and he alth. She received, among others The "Golden OTIS" Trust Award in the "Media and He alth" category, St. Kamil awarded on the occasion of the World Day of the Sick, twice the "Crystal Pen" in the national competition for journalists promoting he alth, and many awards and distinctions in competitions for the "Medical Journalist of the Year" organized by the Polish Association of Journalists for He alth.

Category:

Pregnant examinations