Test Detail
Understanding the Test
Test Measures
Interpreting Results
FAQ's
City Price Info
Home Collection
Other Tests
Content created by
Written by
Dr. Betina Chandolia
BDS, MDS - Oral Pathology and Microbiology
Reviewed by
Dr. Ashish Ranjan
MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)
Want to know more?
Read our Editorial Policy

Glucose Challenge Test 50g

Also known as 1 hr Obstetrical
99
This test is for
Female
Test Preparation
  1. Intake of glucose solution (50 gms of glucose dissolved in 300 ml of water) is required one hour before the blood sample collection.

Understanding Glucose Challenge Test 50g


What is Glucose Challenge Test 50g?

The glucose challenge test (GCT), also called the one-hour glucose tolerance test, measures your body's response to sugar (glucose). This test is performed during pregnancy to screen for gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy). GCT can be done as early as your first prenatal visit if you're at high risk of gestational diabetes due to obesity, a personal history of gestational diabetes, and a family history of diabetes. A blood sugar level of 140 mg/dL or higher might indicate gestational diabetes.

Most women who have gestational diabetes deliver healthy babies. However, without careful management, gestational diabetes can lead to various pregnancy complications such as high blood pressure, increased risk of having a baby with an excessive birth weight and chances of a C-section delivery.

What is Glucose Challenge Test 50g used for?

The Glucose Challenge Test is performed to:

  • Screen for high blood sugar in presence of risk factors for diabetes in pregnancy
  • Detect gestational diabetes
 
 

What does Glucose Challenge Test 50g measure?

Glucose Challenge Test (GCT) - Obstetrical measures blood glucose level one hour after the administration of 50 gms of glucose solution.

Glucose is a simple sugar or monosaccharide which is the main source of energy for all the cells of the body, and the only energy source for the nervous system. Carbohydrates consumed in the diet are broken down in the body to their simplest form, glucose. It is absorbed by the intestines and transported by the blood to various organs. Glucose is subsequently utilized by cells of these organs to produce energy wherever necessary, and the excess is stored either as glycogen in the liver for short-term storage or in fat tissues as triglycerides for long-term storage. The uptake, utilization, and storage of glucose after it is absorbed in the intestines are facilitated by the hormone, insulin which is secreted by the pancreas. Insulin influences the transport of glucose to the organs requiring it, like the heart, brain, working muscles, etc. It also directs storage of excess glucose. The action of insulin reduces sugar levels in the blood.

After every meal, sugar levels increase in blood and insulin is secreted as a response to reduce sugar levels until it becomes normal. If glucose levels fall too low in blood, another pancreatic hormone called Glucagon is released. Glucagon directs the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose and release it into the blood. The insulin and glucagon hormones create a feedback mechanism to keep blood glucose levels within the normal range. Imbalance in their activity can cause an excess or shortage of blood sugar.

The glucose challenge test measures the levels of glucose in the blood, one hour after the administration of a sugar solution (usually 50 gm glucose dissolved in about 300 ml water). This helps to determine whether the body is able to utilize or store glucose efficiently. Excess sugar in blood indicates it is not being utilized or stored. It is usually performed as a part of the panel of tests performed during pregnancy and can be performed at any time during pregnancy. It is also necessary to repeat the test at 24 to 28 weeks to detect gestational diabetes.

Interpreting Glucose Challenge Test 50g results


Interpretations

Normal range: Less than 130 to 140 mg/dL (7.2 to 7.8 mmol/L)

Gestational diabetes:

A cut-off value of 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) identifies 80%  of women with Gestational diabetes.

A cut-off value of 130 mg/dl (7.2 mmol/L) identifies 90%  of women with Gestational diabetes.

 

Blood sugar levels higher than the normal range indicates increased blood sugar due to the inability of the body to process it.

GCT is a screening test for Gestational diabetes and continuously raised blood sugar levels in subsequent tests indicate a strong possibility of gestational diabetes. Further tests like 2-hour or 3-hour Glucose Tolerance Tests (GTT) are performed to diagnose Gestational diabetes.

 

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Glucose Challenge Test 50g


Frequently Asked Questions about Glucose Challenge Test 50g

Q. Is there any preparation required before the test?

Inform the doctor about the medications you may be taking. No other specific preparations are usually required before this test.

Q. How is GCT performed?

This test is performed on a blood sample. A syringe with a fine needle is used to withdraw blood from a blood vessel in your arm. The healthcare provider will tie an elastic band around your arm to make the blood vessels swell with blood and may ask you to make a tight fist. Then he will clean the elbow area over the blood vessel with an antiseptic solution. After that, he will insert the needle into your blood vessel. You will feel a tiny pinprick during the procedure. Blood sample once collected will then be sent to the laboratory. For the GCT that can be performed at any time of day and does not require fasting, you consume a sugar solution of a known concentration (usually 50 gm glucose dissolved in about 300 ml water), and your blood is drawn to measure glucose levels after one hour.

Q. What additional tests can be prescribed by your doctor in case GCT result is not normal?

Additional tests that may be prescribed in case of abnormal Glucose Challenge test result are: · HbA1c Test · 2 Hour and 3 Hour Glucose tolerance Tests · Postprandial Glucose Test · Urine Glucose Test · Lipid Profile Test

Q. What is Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels in a non-diabetic woman rise to higher than normal levels during pregnancy. This is caused primarily by hormones secreted during pregnancy which causes insulin resistance by inhibiting cellular signaling mechanisms, thereby preventing cells from effectively taking up and utilizing glucose from blood. This leads to increased levels of blood glucose in the body. The condition is usually resolved after delivery of the child and blood sugar levels return to normal. However, in some cases, gestational diabetes carries a high risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes in the woman. Gestational diabetes also carries a risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth if blood sugar levels are not managed correctly.

Q. How can Gestational Diabetes affect the baby?

Gestational Diabetes can have a pronounced negative impact on the health of the newborn. Some conditions that may affect the newborn if the mother suffers from unmanaged gestational diabetes include persistent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) in the newborn, hypocalcemia (low blood calcium levels, and hypomagnesemia (low blood magnesium levels). It can also lead to increased birth weight, jaundice, polycythemia (high red blood cell mass), incomplete development of the respiratory system, and birth defects in the newborn.

Q. What are the risk factors for Gestational Diabetes?

The risk factors for Gestational diabetes include being overweight or obese before pregnancy together with low physical activity, having a blood relative already diagnosed with Diabetes, having been diagnosed with gestational Diabetes previously or having delivered a baby weighing more than 4kg. Additionally, if the mother is diagnosed with prediabetes before pregnancy, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), or hypertension. Gestational diabetes can also be developed if the mother has delivered a stillborn child or one with birth defects; or if she belongs to a high- risk ethnic group like Native American, Pacific Islander, African origin, or South Asian origin.

Q. Is there any risk associated with this test?

There is no risk associated with the test. However, since this test involves a needle prick to withdraw the blood sample, in very rare cases, a patient may experience increased bleeding, hematoma formation (blood collection under the skin), bruising or infection at the site of needle prick.
+ more

Glucose Challenge Test 50g test price for other cities


Price inAgraRs. 263
Price inAhmedabadRs. 263
Price inAllahabadRs. 263
Price inAmritsarRs. 263
Price inBangaloreRs. 263
+ more

Book a Glucose Challenge Test 50g test at home near me

Easy online booking
Search for tests and packages, book a time and select address for seamless at-home lab tests.
Live tracking of phlebotomist
Stay informed with live tracking of our phlebotomist's location for seamless sample collection.
Safe collection
Our phlebotomists follow strict safety protocols to collect samples at home on time.
Sample received at lab
Your sample is bought to our laboratory for testing by our qualified experts.
Quick reports, free follow up
Reports are sent to your email. A free doctor follow up is provided to understand the report better
Test conducted by
1mg Labs (1MG Technologies Private Limited)
ISO certified
Know more

INDIA’S LARGEST HEALTHCARE PLATFORM

260m+
Visitors
31m+
Orders Delivered
1800+
Cities
Get the link to download App
Reliable

All products displayed on Tata 1mg are procured from verified and licensed pharmacies. All labs listed on the platform are accredited

Secure

Tata 1mg uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) 128-bit encryption and is Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliant

Affordable

Find affordable medicine substitutes, save up to 50% on health products, up to 80% off on lab tests and free doctor consultations.

Know more about Tata 1mgdownArrow

Access medical and health information

Tata 1mg provides you with medical information which is curated, written and verified by experts, accurate and trustworthy. Our experts create high-quality content about medicines, diseases, lab investigations, Over-The-Counter (OTC) health products, Ayurvedic herbs/ingredients, and alternative remedies.

Order medicines online

Get free medicine home delivery in over 1800 cities across India. You can also order Ayurvedic, Homeopathic and other Over-The-Counter (OTC) health products. Your safety is our top priority. All products displayed on Tata 1mg are procured from verified and licensed pharmacies.

Book lab tests

Book any lab tests and preventive health packages from certified labs and get tested from the comfort of your home. Enjoy free home sample collection, view reports online and consult a doctor online for free.

Consult a doctor online

Got a health query? Consult doctors online from the comfort of your home for free. Chat privately with our registered medical specialists to connect directly with verified doctors. Your privacy is guaranteed.