Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: What To Think About

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What To Think About

• The oral glucose tolerance test is not commonly used to diagnose diabetes in people who are not pregnant. The American Diabetes Association and the Canadian Diabetes Association prefer the fasting blood glucose test to diagnose diabetes. But a fasting blood glucose test may not identify some people with prediabetes or early diabetes. Many experts recommend using an oral glucose tolerance test if the result of a fasting blood glucose test is between 100 mg/dL (5.5 mmol/L) and 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L). For more information, see the medical test Blood Glucose.
• The glucose liquid may be replaced with a carbonated drink that contains glucose, such as soda pop, or a gelatin that contains glucose. These forms of glucose may be easier to drink or eat than a plain glucose solution.
• Glucose tolerance test screening by age 30 is recommended for all women who have polycystic ovary syndrome. For more information, see the topic Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

Last updated:	July 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Alan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer