The utility of serum glucose measurement at 1 hour of the oral glucose tolerance test

Abstract

The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is performed in patients in whom abnormalities of glucose metabolism are suspected, but the criteria for diagnosing diabetes are not yet met. It is also routinely carried out in the management of diseases associated with a more or less pronounced disturbance of glucose intolerance. According to the current guidelines, during OGTT glycemia is measured before and two hours after the administration of glucose. In pregnancy, three measurements are obligatory (0', 60', 120'). When additional indications are present, glycemia is assessed also 30 minutes after the administration of glucose and when reactive hypoglycemia is suspected, the test is extended to 180 minutes. As of late, it is becoming a more and more common practice to measure blood glucose also 60 minutes post-administration. This technique is more reliable for the assessment of glucose tolerance disturbance. It seems sensible to introduce a recommendation of such measurement as a routine practice.