{"id":3109,"date":"2023-04-20T05:30:25","date_gmt":"2023-04-19T18:30:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/2023\/04\/20\/glucosetolerancetest\/"},"modified":"2024-02-15T10:08:28","modified_gmt":"2024-02-14T23:08:28","slug":"glucosetolerancetest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/health-hub\/glucosetolerancetest\/","title":{"rendered":"Glucose tolerance test"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This article provides a guide to the glucose tolerance test, a test for identifying diabetes, pre-diabetes and gestational diabetes. We explain what the test involves, the types of tests available, how to prepare for the tests and what the results mean. We also list the symptoms of hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose levels) and hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels) and what they might mean for your health. Lastly, we offer guidance on what to do if your test results indicate that you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. We have also included information about the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> program, a free healthy lifestyle program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that helps to prevent diabetes, heart disease and stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What is a glucose tolerance test?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A glucose tolerance test (or GTT) checks the level of glucose (aka sugar) in your blood.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GTTs are vital in diagnosing:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">type 1 diabetes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">type 2 diabetes\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pre-diabetes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gestational diabetes.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Why have a glucose tolerance test?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glucose tolerance tests show whether or not your blood glucose level is normal. This is extremely important.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glucose is the body\u2019s main source of energy. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When we eat or drink, glucose enters our bloodstream, causing the pancreas to release t<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">he hormone insulin. Insulin controls the amount of glucose in the blood. This is vital as most of the cells in our body can only function when our glucose levels stay within a certain range.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the glucose\/insulin system is working properly, the amount of glucose in the blood is correctly controlled. When it isn\u2019t working properly and a person has a condition called insulin resistance, the amount of glucose in the blood can rise or fall.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having high blood glucose levels is called <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hyper<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glycaemia; having low blood glucose is called <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hypo<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glycaemia. Both conditions can cause serious damage to the body.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>When to get tested<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your doctor will advise you to have a GTT if you have symptoms of hypoglycaemia\u00a0or\u00a0hyperglycaemia, or if you are\u00a0pregnant. If you already live with\u00a0diabetes, you may need regular GTTs.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common early signs of <\/span><b>hypoglycaemia<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (low blood glucose) are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sweating<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">feeling shaky and unsteady<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">having a fast heart beat<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">suddenly feeling hungry<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">headache.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hypoglycaemia can progress to the point where the brain is not getting enough glucose to function properly. This is known as severe hypoglycaemia, and its symptoms include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">being confused\/unable to think clearly<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">slurred speech<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">having a seizure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">becoming unconscious.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common symptoms of <\/span><b>hyperglycaemia<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (high blood glucose) are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">frequently needing to urinate<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">increased thirst<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tiredness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">weight loss<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">blurred vision<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">infections<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Untreated hyperglycaemia can cause harmful acids to build up in your blood and urine. Symptoms include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">feeling very thirsty<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">having a dry mouth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nausea and vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">abdominal pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shortness of breath<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">weakness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">confusion<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">becoming unconscious.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Types of glucose tolerance test<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are three main types of GTTs.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fasting glucose test (FGT)\/blood glucose test.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HbA1C test.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All three types are simple and produce fast results. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/health-hub\/diabetes-tests\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These tests will give a good indication of whether you have pre-diabetes or one of the types of diabetes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"2\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fasting glucose test (FGT)\/blood glucose test<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A blood sample is taken to show the level of glucose in your blood after fasting (not eating or drinking anything other than water) for 8-10 hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A fasting glucose test measures how much glucose is in your blood at the moment the test is carried out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"2\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The level of glucose in your blood is checked after fasting for 8-10 hours. You then have a glucose drink (usually with 75 grams of glucose) and a further blood sample is taken after 1 or 2 hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This test shows how your body responds to glucose after a meal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An OGTT is sometimes used to diagnose pre-diabetes and diabetes. The test is also routinely offered to pregnant women to check for gestational diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HbA1c test\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The HbA1c test checks your average blood glucose level over the past three months. It is a simple blood test that can be arranged by GP, and no fasting is required. For people who live with diabetes, this shows how well the condition is being controlled. It is also used to\u00a0diagnose\u00a0and monitor pre-diabetes and diabetes.<\/span> <b><br \/>\n<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>What do the results mean?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your doctor will look at your blood test results and explain what they mean for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your blood glucose level is high, you may have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/health-hub\/diabetes-type-difference\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">diabetes, pre-diabetes or gestational diabetes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. But other diseases and conditions can also cause raised blood glucose, so your doctor may suggest more testing to exclude them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you do have pre-diabetes, your doctor will recommend making healthy lifestyle changes, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">following a healthy eating pattern<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">increasing your physical activity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reaching and maintaining a healthy weight<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stopping smoking.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These changes may help your body use insulin more effectively and prevent pre-diabetes from progressing to type 2 diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What should I do if my glucose tolerance test results show I am at risk of type 2 diabetes?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your GTT results show that you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, you can take positive action by finding a healthy lifestyle program.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> program is a free lifestyle improvement program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It will help you to prevent diabetes, heart disease and stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our experienced health professionals will support you to make changes to your lifestyle that will reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Life!<\/em><\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> program is the largest prevention program of its kind in Australia. Since 2007, over 75,000 Victorians have joined the program to learn more about the steps they can take to live a healthy life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can take a quick online health test and check your eligibility for the program\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/#health-check\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"button teal\" href=\"#health-check\">Take the health check<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Sources<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/16769858\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/16769858\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.diabetesaustralia.com.au\/blog\/hyperglycaemia\/#:~:text=Early%20signs%20and%20symptoms%20of%20hyperglycaemia%20include%3A%201,4%20Weight%20loss%205%20Blurred%20vision%206%20Infections\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.diabetesaustralia.com.au\/blog\/hyperglycaemia\/#:~:text=Early%20signs%20and%20symptoms%20of%20hyperglycaemia%20include%3A%201,4%20Weight%20loss%205%20Blurred%20vision%206%20Infections<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.gov.au\/resources\/pregnancy-care-guidelines\/part-f-routine-maternal-health-tests\/hyperglycaemia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.health.gov.au\/resources\/pregnancy-care-guidelines\/part-f-routine-maternal-health-tests\/hyperglycaemia<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.qld.gov.au\/public-health\/pathology-queensland\/patients\/preparing-for-your-test\/patient-collection-sheets\/glucose-tolerance-test-gtt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.health.qld.gov.au\/public-health\/pathology-queensland\/patients\/preparing-for-your-test\/patient-collection-sheets\/glucose-tolerance-test-gtt<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/blood-glucose-test\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/blood-glucose-test<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/diabetic-hypoglycemia\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20371525\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/diabetic-hypoglycemia\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20371525<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/tests-procedures\/glucose-tolerance-test\/about\/pac-20394296\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/tests-procedures\/glucose-tolerance-test\/about\/pac-20394296<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhsinform.scot\/tests-and-treatments\/blood-tests\/common-blood-tests\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.nhsinform.scot\/tests-and-treatments\/blood-tests\/common-blood-tests<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.racgp.org.au\/afp\/2012\/june\/oral-glucose-tolerance-testing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.racgp.org.au\/afp\/2012\/june\/oral-glucose-tolerance-testing<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.racgp.org.au\/afp\/2012\/june\/oral-glucose-tolerance-testing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.racgp.org.au\/afp\/2012\/june\/oral-glucose-tolerance-testing<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sapathology.sa.gov.au\/wps\/wcm\/connect\/sa+pathology+internet+content+new\/content\/news\/the+glucose+tolerance+test+what+to+expect\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.sapathology.sa.gov.au\/wps\/wcm\/connect\/sa+pathology+internet+content+new\/content\/news\/the+glucose+tolerance+test+what+to+expect<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thewomens.org.au\/health-information\/pregnancy-and-birth\/pregnancy-problems\/pregnancy-problems-in-later-pregnancy\/gestational-diabetes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.thewomens.org.au\/health-information\/pregnancy-and-birth\/pregnancy-problems\/pregnancy-problems-in-later-pregnancy\/gestational-diabetes<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Reviewers<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>Angel Fan, Accredited Practicing Dietitian | Primary Care Engagement Lead<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/kristie-cocotis-587282124\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kristie Cocotis<\/a>, Head of Prevention and Health Promotion<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/sarah-dub%C3%A9-57861660\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sarah <\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW248055663 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-AU\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW248055663 BCX0\">Dub\u00e9, Strategy and Engagement Lead<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/au.linkedin.com\/in\/ria-cheripuram\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ria Cheripuram<\/a>, Digital Communications Officer<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/au.linkedin.com\/in\/tegankohlman\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tegan Kohlman<\/a>, Communications and Social Marketing Officer<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This article provides a guide to the glucose tolerance test, a test for identifying diabetes, pre-diabetes and gestational diabetes. We explain what the test involves, the types of tests available, how to prepare for the tests and what the results mean. We also list the symptoms of hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose levels) and hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels) and what&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":3110,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3109","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3109","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3109"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3109\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3143,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3109\/revisions\/3143"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3110"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3109"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3109"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeprogram.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3109"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}