Specimen Requirements

Patient Preparation
1. Patient should be on unrestricted physical activity and on a “normal” diet for 3 days prior to test.

2. Patient should be instructed to eat and drink nothing except for water for 10 to 16 hours prior to test.

3. Patient should be instructed to refrain from smoking and drinking coffee just before and during test.

Specimen Collection

Plasma
Draw blood in a green-top (lithium heparin) tube from a fasting patient (10-16 hours). (Hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.) Spin down and send 2 mL of lithium heparin plasma as follows:

1. Draw a fasting glucose.

2. If fasting glucose is >126 mg/dL DO NOT continue test - DO NOT administer glucose solution.

3. If fasting glucose is ≤ 126 mg/dL, patient is given a 100 g glucose solution orally.

4. Start timing when patient begins to drink glucose solution. Instruct patient to drink whole amount within several mins.

5. Have patient remain quiet for duration of test.

6. Draw specimens at 1-, 2-, and 3-hours post glucose administration.

Note: Label specimens appropriately (corresponding draw time).