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The oral glucose tolerance test is a blood test performed to measure the level of glucose in the blood. OGTT test results can indicate the presence of higher or lower than normal levels of glucose in the blood, and also help in diagnosing diabetes. The OGTT test is also used to monitor glucose levels in the blood of those who are diabetics. In this test, blood samples are collected after a certain period of fasting, and then the person is asked to drink a glucose solution to monitor how effectively the body metabolizes the sugar consumed. Also read more about GTT test.

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body is unable to metabolize sugar and pass the glucose on to the cells, which need it for energy. Glucose levels in the blood rise as a result, and this may lead to organ damage in the long run. OGTT test for diabetes may be performed even when the fasting blood glucose levels appear to be normal if the doctor suspects that the patient may be pre-diabetic or has a family history of diabetes.

For an OGTT test procedure, the patient is asked to fast for up to eight hours before the test. A fasting blood sample is taken, and then the patient is given a standard 100 gram glucose drink. Samples of the blood are taken after every hour for the next three hours to check on the glucose levels in the blood. If the blood glucose level is above 140mg/dL, two hours after drinking the beverage with the glucose in it, it is likely that the person is in a pre-diabetes state and has an impaired tolerance to glucose. Levels above 200mg/dL indicate the presence of diabetes, but need to be confirmed by another similar test on another day.

Glucose levels measured in an OGTT test during pregnancy can be used to diagnose gestational diabetes. During the last trimester of their term, some women may develop diabetes, and the OGTT test in pregnancy is done routinely for all women who are pregnant. Blood glucose levels are tested at four different times during the test and a woman who has above normal values at least two times out of four is said to have gestational diabetes. If the result of the OGTT test show higher than normal levels of glucose in the blood, patients should take appropriate care with regards to their diet and make the necessary changes in their lifestyles to ensure that their blood glucose levels remain at normal.