Glucose tolerance test

Nurses General Nursing

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I had another one today. I had one while pregnant but don't remember this happening, and my nurse brain was not functioning today. I fasted since midnight, went in this morning and had the baseline drawn and drank the dexicola *shudder* at about 0950. Went back two hours later and had the second level drawn, then went home. I had my youngest with me so we decided to go to McD's and to the park. Got to the park about 1300 and my hands were shaking so bad I could hardly hold a french fry!! I came down hard!!!

I think the first time I had it done I ate as soon as the second draw was done so I didn't feel it. It was weird!!!! Now I have even more sympathy for my diabetics who come in with low levels.

Specializes in Diabetes ED, (CDE), CCU, Pulmonary/HIV.
i had another one today. i had one while pregnant but don't remember this happening, and my nurse brain was not functioning today. i fasted since midnight, went in this morning and had the baseline drawn and drank the dexicola *shudder* at about 0950. went back two hours later and had the second level drawn, then went home. i had my youngest with me so we decided to go to mcd's and to the park. got to the park about 1300 and my hands were shaking so bad i could hardly hold a french fry!! i came down hard!!!

i think the first time i had it done i ate as soon as the second draw was done so i didn't feel it. it was weird!!!! now i have even more sympathy for my diabetics who come in with low levels.

tazzi, did you go to a lab or have test done at work? doesn't sound like they followed standard procedure. in my experience, pt is instructed to make sure diet includes sufficient carbs for several days before test. then after first blood draw, pt must sit quietly, since activity will interfere with reliability of results.perhaps i just misunderstood post and you didn't actually leave and come back for 2nd drawbelow is standard prep for oggt

glucose tolerance diagnostic test

to prepare for the glucose tolerance diagnostic test:

eat a balanced diet that contains at least 150 to 200 grams of carbohydrate per day for 3 days before the test. fruits, breads, cereals, grains, rice, crackers, and starchy vegetables such as potatoes, beans, and corn are good sources of carbohydrate.

do not eat, drink, smoke, or exercise strenuously for at least 8 hours before your first blood sample is taken.

tell your health professional about all prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking. you may be instructed to stop taking certain medications before the test.

the glucose tolerance diagnostic test may take up to 4 hours. since activity can interfere with test results, you will be asked to sit quietly during the entire test. do not eat during the test. you may drink only water during this time.

hope everything is ok.

Went to the lab at the hospital where I work. Both times I clarified that rest between draws is no longer necessary, the lab folks told me that's not crucial anymore. Yes, I left and came back. The first time I did it on a day I was working and worked in my shift between draws. And both times I was not allowed to drink anything at all, I had to wait until after the second draw.

Specializes in ICU.

I remember once I went on a low sugar diet. I had been shopping for several hours by myself, was tired, and headed for the food court. My thinking started to slow down and it became really difficult to choose what was OK to have on my diet, so I sat down in the middle of the food court to try to decide.

I sat down and looked at all the hazy, happy people who had somehow figured out how to get food, and I knew there must be some easy way to do it. I just couldn't seem to stand up and walk the 10 steps or so to the nearest counter and ask for some food - any kind of food!

Totally made me more sympathetic to those who have a hard time with hypoglycemia... and I decided not to stick with the no sugar diet after all. :)

I think I'm going to chat with the lab manager (a friend) and suggest she have her phlebs instruct pts to eat as soon as possible after the second draw. It scares me to think I could have been driving when it happened.....my daughter and I had literally just gotten out of the car.

The fact that I wouldn't have to have Glucose Tolerance Tests again was probably the best thing about being told I had to go on Insulin!

That glucola stuff is NASTY!

Also, I will do most anything to avoid Hypoglycemia. One of the worst feelings EVER!

Thank goodness for Insulin Pumps!

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