What Does This Mean Exactly?

Okay thank you for the information.

Melissa

Hello Melissa,
The sweet liquid is a glucose and water solution. It is very sweet. It is best to drink it quickly. For the standard glucose tolerance test, 75 grams or 100 grams is usual.

Each time a blood sample is collected, a new and sterile needle will be used.

The health professional taking a sample of your blood will:

Wrap an elastic band around your upper arm to stop the flow of blood. This makes the veins below the band larger so it is easier to put a needle into the vein.

Clean the needle site with alcohol.

Put the needle into the vein. More than one needle stick may be needed.

Attach a tube to the needle to fill it with blood.

Remove the band from your arm when enough blood is collected.

Apply a gauze pad or cotton ball over the needle site as the needle is removed.

Apply pressure to the site and then a bandage.

Maryann

Thank you for your reply. Yes this is the information I've been looking for. Just one thing I'm wondering during the 3 hours since they repeat the blood test do they keep using new needles and keep putting new bandages or they leave something in like an IV to withdraw the blood repeatedly until they completely finish their job then remove it and bandage it? What kind of liquid is it that they give you to drink? Does it taste anything unsual? Is 75 grams a lot? Please let me know about this soon.

Thank You,
Melissa

Hello Melissa,

The glucose tolerance test is a lab test to check how your body breads down sugar.

Prepare by:
Eating normally for several days before the test.
Do not eat or drink anything for at least 8 hours before the test.

How the test is performed:
A sample of blood will be taken. You will then be asked to drink a liquid containing a certain amount of glucose (usually 75 grams). Your blood will be taken again every 30 to 60 minutes after you drink the solution. The test takes up to 3 hours.

Some people feel nauseated, sweaty, light-headed, or may even feel short of breath or faint after drinking the glucose. However, serious side effects of this test are very uncommon.

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Hope this is the information that you were looking for.

Maryann