What is the Oral Glucose Tolerance test?

The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), commonly known among medical professionals as the glucose tolerance test, is a test that measures your body’s ability to metabolize glucose, or clear it out of the bloodstream. In other words, it sees how your body treats the extra sugar that is in the blood, and how this extra sugar actually permeates your red blood cells, which normally should convert them to energy for the body. The ogtt can be used to diagnose diabetes, gestational diabetes or pre diabetes. The ogtt is used to diagnose both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This test is more complicated than the fasting blood glucose test, and it takes way more time too.

How does the oral glucose tolerance test ogtt work?

If you are taking the oral glucose tolerance test ogtt to diagnose a pre diabetic or a diabetic state, then you should eat normally and keep health nutrition habits 5-7 days before taking the test. So, this means you will need to consume at least 140-210 grams of carbohydrates a day in addition to your fruits and vegetable of course! If you are pregnant, then these conditions do not apply to you. You may want to check with your doctor for a more personalized plan of action.

Once you come in, (In the morning I presume), your blood will be drawn to measure and establish your fasting glucose level. You will then be given sweet drink (glucose filled) that you will immediately drink. Normally, this drink should contain 75 -80 grams of carbohydrates. Note that I said “typically”. The reason why many complain that oral glucose tolerance test ogtt is long is because; your blood will continually be drawn and measured for glucose levels for the next 2 hours. If you have not gone in for your test yet, then you should prepare yourself mentally and brace yourself for any unforeseen surprises.

If you are contemplating going in for an oral glucose tolerance test ogtt, here are few things you should know:

Remember that even though the oral glucose tolerance test ogtt is used to diagnose diabetes, it is also used to give you information about your body’s ability to metabolize the sugar level(s) in your blood. If you already have poor diet and nutrition habits, be ready to face the reality of the consequences. If the readings of your oral glucose tolerance test ogtt are high, then it has an indication that the insulin in your body is not able to regulate the level of sugar in your blood stream. In this sense, this test is a signal for action that will help a patient take control of his or her health. In several cases, patients have succeeded in reversing their diabetes. However, before jumping to any sort of conclusion, it is advisable that you consult your doctor for additional information and recommendations.

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