Glucose tolerance test

Posted , 3 users are following.

Just curious, why do we need to fast before the test? what happens if we don't fast? will the insulin increase and the result is invalid?

1 like, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Posted

    Nutrients and ingredients in food(s) can inflate/deflate the readings.  

    Why bother taking a test if you do not want the most accurate information to make decisions.

     

  • Posted

    By fasting, you're starting from a baseline. This way, the test tells you how much your blood glucose increases with sugar intake. If you eat before the test, you've already spiked your blood glucose and the test pretty much tells you nothing because you can't get an accurate reading.

  • Posted

    Hi dell130397,

    The response from MtViewCatherine is 'spot on'.

    When a Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) ... also known as an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) ... is carried out, a baseline reading ... your fasting blood glucose reading ... is required as further readings, after you've taken the glucola, the sickly sweet drink, they need to determine not only how high your blood glucose level rises to, but also to determine the response from your pancreas to the sudden influx of glucose. i,e, they need to check how efficiently your pancreas produces response to the glucose.  (We normally get glucose into our bloodstream during the digestive process when carbohydrates are broken down and glucose absorbed through the walls of the intestines.

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