Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) – Assessing Your Body’s Ability to Process Sugar

The Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) is a diagnostic test used to measure your body’s ability to metabolize glucose. It’s commonly used to diagnose diabetes, gestational diabetes, and insulin resistance.

Indications for OGTT:

● Symptoms of diabetes: If you have symptoms like frequent urination, excessive thirst, and fatigue, an OGTT can help determine if you have diabetes.

● Gestational diabetes screening: Pregnant women are typically tested between 24–28 weeks of pregnancy to check for gestational diabetes.

● Risk factors for diabetes: People with risk factors like obesity, family history of diabetes, and high blood pressure may need regular OGTT screening.

How OGTT Works:

● After fasting for at least 8 hours, you will drink a liquid containing 75 grams of glucose. Blood samples are taken at 0, 1, and 2 hours after drinking the glucose solution to measure blood sugar levels.

Normal Range:

● Fasting blood sugar: 70-99 mg/dL

● 1-hour: <180 mg/dL

● 2-hour: <140 mg/dL

Abnormal Test Significance:

● Fasting blood sugar above 100 mg/dL may indicate pre-diabetes.

● 1-hour glucose above 180 mg/dL or 2-hour glucose above 200 mg/dL may suggest diabetes.

● Gestational diabetes: A 2-hour value above 153 mg/dL indicates gestational diabetes.

Management Based on Results:

● For pre-diabetes: Lifestyle changes like dietary adjustments, regular exercise, and weight loss are key.

● For diabetes: Medication (e.g., insulin or oral hypoglycemics) and lifestyle management are essential.

● For gestational diabetes: Dietary control and insulin may be prescribed to manage blood sugar levels during pregnancy.

Price in India:

Approx. ₹500 – ₹2,000 for OGTT.