The OGTT is used to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes by measuring how well the body processes glucose.
The OGTT primarily assesses the function of insulin, which is responsible for regulating blood glucose levels.
Blood samples are taken at multiple intervals (usually fasting, 1 hour, 2 hours, and sometimes 3 hours) to monitor glucose levels.
A blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL or higher two hours after the OGTT confirms a diagnosis of diabetes.
Patients are required to fast for at least 8 hours before undergoing the OGTT to ensure accurate results.
A standard OGTT typically uses a 75-gram glucose solution for the test.
The patient drinks a glucose solution to measure how their body processes the glucose over a period of time.
A blood glucose level between 140 and 199 mg/dL indicates impaired glucose tolerance, which is a sign of prediabetes.
Patients should avoid intense physical exercise before the OGTT as it can affect blood glucose levels and skew the test results.
A 100-gram glucose solution is used for the OGTT in pregnant women to test for gestational diabetes.
A normal blood glucose level two hours after drinking the glucose solution is below 140 mg/dL.