Fasting Plasma Glucose Test
This is the best method for diagnosis. Blood is drawn after at least 8 hours of not eating (usually overnight) and analyzed for glucose content.

Normal Value: 126 mg/dL (for at least 2 fasting plasma glucose tests).

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
This test measures how quickly your body's cells respond when you take in glucose. After fasting overnight (8-16 hours), a blood sample is taken for a measure of your fasting blood sugar. Then, you ingest 75 grams of glucose (100 grams for pregnant women), generally in the form of a sweet-tasting drink. Blood is drawn at various intervals (one hour, two hours, and sometimes three hours) after taking this "glucose load."

If glucose is not being absorbed into the cells properly, blood sugar levels will remain higher than normal an hour or two after the glucose load. This impaired glucose tolerance does not necessarily indicate diabetes. People with high glucose levels should be retested with the fasting plasma glucose test to find out if they actually have diabetes.

Normal Value: 0-2 hours after glucose load: 139

For most accurate results on the OGTT, you should:
Feel well and healthy - illnesses, even a minor cold, can affect your blood sugar
Be normally active (e.g., not lying down) - activity also affects blood sugar
Not be taking medication known to affect blood sugar
Eat a diet high in carbohydrates (150-200 grams per day) for the past 3 days before the test
Not drink coffee or smoke the morning of the test

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