An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) measures how well your body processes glucose, or blood sugar. Glucose is your body’s primary source of energy.

Often, an OGTT is used to diagnose prediabetes and diabetes, especially when gestational diabetes is a concern.

It may be used to test.

  • reactive blood sugar.
  • acromegaly, a hormonal condition that causes excess growth
  • The function of the beta-cell is impaired.
  • The resistance toinsulin

An OGTT is a type of blood test. It requires taking several blood samples.

A doctor might perform a test before doing an OGTT. This is a shortened version of the OGTT.

A test for blood sugar requires no fasts. You will drink a beverage containing 50 grams ofglucose during the test. A healthcare professional will take a blood sample after an hour.

“If your bloodglucose is over 140, it’s possible you have diabetes. You will need an OGTT in this case.”

“An OGTT requires some preparation. You need to fast for 8 hours before the test. You can’t eat breakfast or drink liquids before.”

The following steps are included in an OGTT.

  • A health worker will take a blood sample from you. They will use the sample for a baseline measurement.
  • You will drink a concentrated beverage. 75 grams of sugar is what most solutions contain.
  • You will sit or lay down for an hour.
  • After an hour, healthcare staff will take a blood sample.
  • A healthcare professional can take another blood sample after 2 hours.
  • The team will measure the blood sugar levels.

You need to stay still and not drink a lot of water during testing times. Dehydration and excessive movement can change the results.

You might not get an OGTT until you get aglucose challenge test.

An OGTT can be ordered by a doctor. This may include your primary care physician.

The shortened OGTT, or glucose challenge test, is also part of prenatal care. It’s done as a basic screening test for pregnant people.

An OGTT can be performed in a number of settings.

  • “A doctor’s office.”
  • A clinical laboratory.
  • An outpatient clinic is located in a hospital.

The professionals who do the test are based on the setting.

  • A medical assistant.
  • A phlebotomist.
  • A nurse.

What if I don’t have health insurance?

If you don’t have a doctor or health insurance, there are clinics that offer free or low-cost prenatal care.

Can you order an oral glucose tolerance test online?

There are no OGTT kits for sale at home. It is safer to complete this test under medical supervision. If you have a health condition that makes drinking liquid with a lot of sugar unsafe, you should not drink it.

However, you can order at-home blood glucose monitors and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) tests. These diabetes tests may help manage diabetes or determine your risk. For best results, ask a doctor if you need these diabetes home tests.

An OGTT can be used to diagnose prediabetes.

It’s useful for confirming a diagnosis after an abnormal HbA1c test result. An A1C test is often part of routine blood tests, but it’s less sensitive than an OGTT. Because of this, an OGTT can help with making an official diagnosis.

A 2019 study also found that an OGTT is a more effective screening tool than an A1C test. Similarly, a 2020 study determined than an OGTT can be used to diagnose diabetes at earlier stages than the A1C test can. This means management and treatment can begin sooner rather than later.

OGTT has some limitations, like most clinical tests. The test can be influenced by lifestyle factors.

  • Physical stress.
  • psychological stress
  • Exercise.
  • Illness.
  • Recent surgery.

This can change the results.

An OGTT is also time consuming. You may need to take off from work or school. There’s currently no alternative for the test, according to 2018 research.

OGTT is considered to be safe.

It is important to eat a meal the night before. This may help reduce the effects of fasting.

Some people drink concentrated glucose solution and have side effects.

  • nausea
  • sweating
  • vomiting is not common.

People who have had bariatric surgery are more likely to have additional side effects.

Other OGTT risks are the same as getting your blood drawn for any reason:

  • It is a pain.
  • There was bleeding.
  • It was bruised.
  • There is some soreness.
  • There is a rash.
  • There is skin irritation from a bandage.

Before taking the test, talk with a doctor about any concerns you have.

The next steps are dependent on your results and health.

After your blood samples have been tested, a healthcare professional will send you the results. They will tell you what your OGTT results mean.

“If your blood sugar levels are normal, you don’t have diabetes. You will not have to do anything else except follow healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating a balanced diet and exercising. A doctor can tell you when to have a blood test.”

If your blood sugar levels are high, you may be diagnosed with diabetes. A diabetes management plan can be developed by a healthcare team.

You may be asked to do something.

  • Take medication for diabetes.
  • Exercise. more often
  • Make changes to your diet.
  • You can use a bloodglucose meter to monitor your blood sugar.
  • Visit an doctor.

OGTT is needed for pregnant women with a diagnosis of gestational diabetes, and can be had after 12 weeks of delivery. If you have type 2 diabetes, this will check to see if you have it.

If your results are normal, you may be asked to get an OGTT every year for a few years.

When is an oral glucose tolerance test done?

An OGTT is done when a healthcare professional thinks you have diabetes.

It is usually ordered after an abnormal HbA1c test or a challenge test. The OGTT is more sensitive than these tests to how well your body manages sugar. The OGTT is more effective for diagnosis.

If a healthcare professional thinks you have another condition that affects your metabolism, they might order an OGTT.

Can I do an oral glucose tolerance test at home?

It is not possible to perform an OGTT at home. A healthcare professional needs to watch you during the test. It is important to drink liquid containing a large amount of sugar under medical supervision for some people.

Do I need an oral glucose tolerance test?

If your HbA1c level is high, you might need an OGTT. Prediabetes is defined as a level of blood sugar that is at least 5.7 percent or higher.

If you’re pregnant, you’ll also need an OGTT to screen for gestational diabetes between 24 to 28 weeks. Typically, this includes the nonfasting, 1-hour test. If the results are abnormal, you’ll need to do a 2- or 3-hour OGTT.

If you are at risk of developing diabetes, you might need an OGTT before you are 24 weeks old. Risk factors include:

How do I know if I need an oral glucose tolerance test?

If you need an OGTT, a doctor can tell you. If you have had abnormal screening results for diabetes, they will order the test for you.

“An OGTT is a measurement of how well your body manages blood sugar. It is often used to diagnose diabetes. The test is done at 24 to 48 weeks into the baby’s life.”

You need to drink a concentrated solution during the test. After 3 hours, your blood will be drawn. The lab will measure the levels of the sugar in your blood.

Follow the instructions of the doctor if they have ordered an OGTT. You might need to fast. The test is a crucial step in the diagnosis and management of diabetes.