Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is TTGO (oral glucose tolerance)?
- When should I take TTGO (oral glucose tolerance)?
- Precautions & warnings
- What should I know before taking TTGO (oral glucose tolerance)?
- Process
- What should I do before undergoing TTGO (oral glucose tolerance)?
- How does the TTGO (oral glucose tolerance) process?
- What should I do after taking TTGO (oral glucose tolerance)?
- Explanation of the Test Results
- What do my test results mean?
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Definition
What is TTGO (oral glucose tolerance)?
Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) or oral glucose tolerance test is a test that measures the ability of sugar (glucose), which serves as the body's main source of energy. Oral glucose tolerance test also serves to diagnose prediabetes and diabetes, especially diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes).
When should I take TTGO (oral glucose tolerance)?
Generally, doctors will advise pregnant women to do this test to diagnose gestational diabetes. The test is usually done during weeks 24 to 28 of pregnancy. This test is also recommended for adults who are suspected of having diabetes.
Precautions & warnings
What should I know before taking TTGO (oral glucose tolerance)?
Even if gestational diabetes resolves after you give birth, you are still at risk of developing gestational diabetes again in your next pregnancy or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It is recommended that you have this test 6 to 12 weeks after delivery or after you stop breastfeeding. If the test results are normal, you are still advised to do another test 3 years later.
Process
What should I do before undergoing TTGO (oral glucose tolerance)?
Make sure that your diet is regular a few days before taking this test. Tell your doctor if you are taking other medications, because they could be affecting your test results. Eight hours before the test, you are not allowed to eat or drink anything. You may be advised to fast at night if your test is scheduled for the morning.
How does the TTGO (oral glucose tolerance) process?
The following are the stages when the test is carried out:
- Your blood will be drawn as a sample. This blood that is drawn is blood when you are fasting which serves as a comparison
- You will be asked to drink something sweet, preferably drink it fast. Your standard glucose level is usually 75 to 100 grams
- Your blood sample will be taken again 1, 2, or 3 hours after you drink the glucose. Sometimes this blood sample is also taken at intervals of 30 minutes to 3 hours more after you drink glucose.
What should I do after taking TTGO (oral glucose tolerance)?
You may feel dizzy or weak from not eating. Therefore, you have to eat something after the test is done. Your condition will return to normal after the test is done. Your doctor will explain the test results and the exact treatment or possibly other types of tests. Follow the directions given by your doctor.
Explanation of the Test Results
What do my test results mean?
The normal scores listed on this list (called range references should only serve as a guide. These ranges vary from laboratory to laboratory, and your laboratory may have different normal scores. Your laboratory report will usually list what range they use. Your doctor it will also check your test results based on your health condition and other factors.This means that if your test results fall within the abnormal range in this guide, it could be in your laboratory or for your condition the score falls into the normal range.
| Normal glucose test results | ||
| 75 g glucose | Fasting duration: | Less than or equal to 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg / dL) or 5.6 millimoles per liter (mmol / L) |
| 1 hour: | Less than 184 mg / dL or less than 10.2 mmol / L | |
| 2 hours: | Less than 140 mg / dL or less than 7.7 mmol / L |
You have prediabetes if your test results are 140 to 199 mg / dL (2 hours after the test is done).
But to check gestational diabetes in pregnant women, the American Diabetes Association recommends a list of glucose values as below:
| A range of test results to diagnose gestational diabetes | ||
| Fasting duration: | Figures to indicate diabetes | |
| 75 g glucose | Greater than or equal to 92 mg / dL or 5.1 mmol / L | |
| 1 hour: | Greater than or equal to 180 mg / dL or 10.0 mmol / L | |
| 2 hours: | Greater than or equal to 153 mg / dL or 8.5 mmol / L | |
| 100 g glucose | 3 hours: | Greater than or equal to 140 mg / dL or 7.8 mmol / L |
High test scores
If your glucose level is high, it can be caused by:
- diabetes
- gestitational diabetes
- hyperthyroidism
- some medications, such as corticosteroids, niacin, phenytoin (dilantin), diurectic drugs, or some drugs to treat high blood pressure, HIV or AIDS
Low test scores
If your glucose level is low, it can be caused by:
- certain drugs, for example drugs to treat diabetes, drugs for blood pressure (eg propranolo), and drugs to treat depression (isocarboxazid)
- low production of the hormones cortisol and aldostrerone (Addison's disease)
- problems with the thyroid gland or pituitary gland
- tumors or other problems in the pancreas
- liver disease
- other conditions that can affect the level of glucose in the blood. Talk to your doctor if any unusual symptoms occur
