Diabetes & Glucose Tolerance Test

Below is a question I received about glucose levels.

My glucose tolerance test was at 105 - how high/low is that compared to acceptable levels?

Answer: It depends on what type of test you had (was it a fasting glucose test or an oral glucose tolerance test?). If it was a Fasting Plasma Glucose test, a glucose level of 100-125 indicates pre-diabetes. Your doctor will have the test results and be able to answer questions specific to you.

The American Diabetes Association states the following:

"In order to determine whether or not a patient has pre-diabetes or diabetes, health care providers conduct a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Either test can be used to diagnose pre-diabetes or diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends the FPG because it is easier, faster, and less expensive to perform.

With the FPG test, a fasting blood glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dl signals pre-diabetes. A person with a fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dl or higher has diabetes.

In the OGTT test, a person's blood glucose level is measured after a fast and two hours after drinking a glucose-rich beverage. If the two-hour blood glucose level is between 140 and 199 mg/dl, the person tested has pre-diabetes. If the two-hour blood glucose level is at 200 mg/dl or higher, the person tested has diabetes."