Specimen Requirements

Patient Preparation

1. Consult physician for specific orders.
2. Patient should discontinue medication 3 days prior to test, if possible.
3. Patient should be instructed to eat and drink nothing except water for 10 to 14 hours prior to test.
4. Patient should be instructed to refrain from smoking and drinking coffee just before and during test.
 
Procedure
1. The patient MUST be fasting for 10-16 hours prior to testing.
2. A fasting glucose is drawn and tested.
3. The patient is given 100 gm glucose load orally. Oral glucose dose must be completely ingested within 5 minutes start to finish.
4. Serum glucose is drawn at 1 hour, 2 hours, and 3 hours.

Preferred: Plasma (heparinized)

Container/tube: Lt Green/Mint top (lithium heparin) tube

Acceptable: Serum

Container: Plain, red-top or gold, serum gel tube

Specimen Volume:   1.0 mL (minimum volume 0.2 mL)

Collection Instructions: Forward promptly.

Note:  Label specimens appropriately (corresponding draw time).