Tag Archives: Diabetes testing

Glucose Tolerance Test

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Doctor holding sample blood collection tube with glucose test label in the lab.A glucose tolerance test is a medical lab test used to measure how effectively our bodies process sugar after a meal.  It helps healthcare providers screen for or diagnose conditions such as insulin resistance, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, or gestational diabetes.

The most common and standard glucose tolerance test is an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). However, other screening methods can include a glucose challenge test, used during pregnancy to screen for gestational diabetes, or an intravenous glucose tolerance test, primarily used in research and rarely used as an alternative to OGTT when a patient is unable to process oral glucose.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that a typical oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) involves measuring your blood sugar levels before and after consuming a sweet liquid that contains glucose. You will need to fast overnight before the test, after which your blood will be drawn to measure your fasting blood sugar level. Then, you will drink the glucose solution, and your blood sugar levels will be checked again. These measurements typically occur at the 1-hour, 2-hour, and possibly 3-hour marks after drinking the solution.

After testing, you may resume your normal daily activities.  Your physician or healthcare provider should receive your lab results in the next few days.  Your test results may fall within the following ranges.

  • Normal – where blood sugar returns to an expected normal range after drinking the glucose solution
  • Prediabetes – where blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to determine a diabetes diagnosis
  • Diabetes -where blood sugar levels remain highly elevated

If your results show that you have diabetes, your doctor may determine  next steps based on how high your blood sugar levels are. They may want to test again to confirm their findings, request additional testing to check for related conditions, or create a treatment plan that may involve lifestyle changes or medications.

 

 

 

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All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

The History of Diabetes Testing

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Diabetes was recognized as far back as 1500 BC by Egyptian scientists. In 600 BC scientists later noted that ants seemed to be particularly drawn to the urine of people with diabetes. The earliest documented diagnosis of the disease was during the middle ages when Chinese, Indian and Egyptian scientists tested the urine of people thought to have diabetes by tasting it for a sweet distinctive taste.

The first clinical exam for diabetes was performed by a doctor named Karl Tommer in 1841 who tested urine with acid hydrolysis which broke up the disaccharides into monosaccharides and then after the addition of other chemicals results in a reaction forming if sugar is present.

In 1850 Hermann von Fehling was able to expand on Trommer’s work to quantify the results. Later in the 19th century, Frederick Pavy developed tablets that when added to the urine would show if there was glucose in the urine. In 1907 Stanley Benedict was able to refine Fehling’s test. In 1913 Ivar Bang discovered a way to test the blood for glucose.

In the 1940’s urine test strips were developed that would change colors depending on the amount of glucose was in the urine. In more modern times,  test strips were introduced in 1964 that could check the blood for sugar and the first glucometer that was able to test blood samples for elevated sugar was developed in 1970. Another test for diabetes was developed in the mid 1970’s and it tested for hemoglobin A1c.

Glucose testing has now progressed to the point where blood sugar can be determined by a sensor that can measure it through the skin, with no need to take a drop of blood.

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All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.