Oral glucose tolerance test

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

• Excessive bleeding
• Fainting or feeling light-headed
• Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

Factors that may affect the test results:

• Acute stress (for example, from surgery or an infection)
• Vigorous exercise

Several drugs may cause glucose intolerance, including:

• Beta-blockers (for example, propranolol)
• Certain psychiatric medications
• Corticosteroids (for example, prednisone)
• Oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
• Thiazide diuretics (for example, hydrochlorothiazide)

Before having the test, let your health care provider know if you are taking any of these medications.

Images

Oral glucose tolerance test

Urine sample

Fasting glucose tolerance test

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Glucose tolerance test Prevention

Review Date: 05/23/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)