If you can be diagnosed with certainty with routine blood tests, you will not be asked to undergo a glucose tolerance test.

The test measures how quickly you can clear a glucose load from your body.

Prior to the date of your test, you should maintain at least 3 days of normal diet and usual activity. For ten hours prior to the test, you should not eat or drink anything containing calories. This usually involves a simple overnight fast. You can drink plain water.

The test involves taking two blood samples. On arrival the first fasting blood sample will be taken. You will be given a standard glucose drink containing 75 grams of glucose. This should be consumed within five minutes. A second blood sample will be taken two hours later and this concludes the test. You should rest between the first and second blood sample being taken and MUST NOT SMOKE. Not resting in between the two samples will under estimate all degrees of Glucose Tolerance including under- diagnosis of Diabetes melitus. Patients are advised not to leave the practice premises during this period and are requested to remain seated.

Results of the tests will be available in a few days and can come back with any of the following results -

Normal glucose tolerance test

In this case you do not have any problem with glucose control and you are not diabetic. Just follow routine healthy lifestyle advice.

Impaired glucose tolerance test

This means your body has some difficulty handling glucose but not severe enough to be classified as diabetes. You are at higher risk of developing diabetes in the future and slightly increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease like angina or strokes. You should strictly follow healthy lifestyle advice regarding smoking, diet,exercise, losing weight etc. You will be offered an annual review in the surgery and it is recommended to repeat the glucose tolerance test annually to check for any progression.

Diabetes melitus

If the test result confirms that you are diabetic, you will be put on the practice diabetic register, which means you will get regular diabetic clinic check ups and a free annual eye test done by the optician. You will be given specific advice on diet and healthy lifestyle and may be referred to a dietitian to help you with specific diets. You may be commenced on medication to control your blood sugar depending on how advanced your condition is. You will be eligible for free prescriptions.