Does the glucose for the glucose tolerance test need to be refrigerated?
Disease description:
I recently need to undergo a glucose tolerance test. May I ask if the glucose used for the test needs to be refrigerated?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
A glucose tolerance test is a medical examination used to detect diabetes or prediabetic conditions by assessing the body's metabolic response to glucose and evaluating insulin function. Whether the glucose used for the glucose tolerance test needs to be stored in a refrigerator depends on the following factors:
1. Commercially available glucose solutions usually come with clear storage instructions, including temperature ranges. Some solutions may require refrigeration to maintain their stability and effectiveness, while others can be stored at room temperature.
2. According to hospital protocols for glucose storage, the requirements generally include keeping it dry, well-ventilated, and clean, with regular cleaning and disinfection. The humid environment inside a refrigerator may increase the risk of moisture absorption by the glucose.
During a glucose tolerance test, the subject is required to drink a solution containing a specific amount of glucose, followed by periodic blood draws to measure blood glucose levels. In this process, storage conditions of the glucose are not critical factors; rather, the key elements are the correct glucose dosage and the subject's preparation.
