Glucose sugar tolerance test (1299)

Key points below


Your child’s Glucose Tolerance Test is scheduled for (date) ___________ at (time) _________ in the Laboratory on the 2nd floor of the of Children’s Wisconsin Clinics building.

Please stop at a Welcome Desk to get a badge and directions.

What is a Glucose tolerance test (GTT)?

The test is done to find out how the body handles glucose (sugar).  If the body does not handle sugar like it should, it can cause diabetes.  Untreated diabetes can lead to serious health problems. 

What is diabetes?

Children with diabetes have too much sugar in the blood.  It does not go to the cells that need it for energy.  Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas. It helps move sugar out of the blood stream and into the cells.   

If the body does not make enough insulin or the cells do not respond to the insulin that is made, too much sugar stays in the blood.  

How do I prepare for the test?

How is the test done?

The test takes about 2 hours.  
A blood test is done to check the glucose level. If the test results show: 
Glucose is in a safe range; your child will be given a sweet drink. 
Glucose is in a high range, the test will be cancelled. 
Blood will most likely be drawn about 2 hours after the drink is done. Blood may also be drawn at other times before the test is over.
Results of the glucose tests will be given to your child’s doctor to see if your child has diabetes. Your child’s doctor will contact you with the test results.

Information note
:  This test cannot be done on someone who is sick.  Please call and cancel the test if your child is sick on the day of the test. 

ALERT

Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic if you have any questions or concerns or if your child has special health care needs that were not covered by this information.