A glucose tolerance test measures how an individual’s system responds to high sugar and can diagnose gestational diabetes effectively. It may need to be administered multiple times for type two diabetes diagnosis. Test results can be affected by other underlying diseases or conditions.
A glucose tolerance test for diabetes is more effective in diagnosing gestational diabetes. The test can be effective in diagnosing type two diabetes, but it may need to be administered multiple times. Some individuals who test outside the normal range may not develop diabetes if they change their diet and fitness habits. In terms of long-term accuracy, the glucose tolerance test for diabetes is effective in predicting whether the disease will develop.
The purpose of a glucose tolerance test for diabetes is to measure how an individual’s system responds to high sugar. If the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to control the amount of blood sugar circulating at one time, these levels can exceed 140 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Anything between 140 and 199 mg/dL indicates glucose intolerance, which is considered a pre-diabetic condition. When a glucose tolerance test for diabetes produces results equal to or greater than 200 mg/dL, it may indicate that the individual has fully developed the disease.
To be as effective as possible, a glucose tolerance test for diabetes must be administered under certain conditions. The patient must fast for at least eight hours before performing the test. Anyone who undergoes glucose tolerance testing should be aware that the results can be affected by other underlying diseases or conditions. Some doctors recommend consuming a carbohydrate-rich diet at least three days before taking the test.
When test results indicate that a patient may have type two diabetes, a second or third test may be given to confirm the diagnosis. That’s because there are so many circumstances that could skew test results, including physical activity level, mild illness, inability to fast properly, and timing. Some individual test results may indicate borderline blood glucose levels, which may need to be double-checked and evaluated for accuracy.
Glucose tolerance tests are not necessarily given to diagnose a case of type two diabetes. They tend to be used to determine whether a woman has developed diabetes as a result of her pregnancy. The test is usually given to someone who has a good health history, is relatively physically active, and is not on any prescribed medications which could skew the results. Even drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes on the day of the test can drastically affect the accuracy of the test.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
