3-Hour Glucose Test Results

Accurate 3-hour glucose test results charts are a valuable tool. Utilize this free template to ensure the healthof pregnant patients and their children.

By Harriet Murray on Apr 08, 2024.

Fact Checked by Nate Lacson.

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What is a 3-Hour Glucose Test Results Chart?

A 3-hour glucose tolerance test, also commonly known as the oral glucose tolerance test, is a well-utilized medical tool utilized by healthcare professionals to measure the patient's response to sugar and acts as a secondary screening process for gestational diabetes. For patients whose blood sugar sits between 140 mg/dL to less than 190 mg/dL in a 1-hour glucose tolerance test, further intervention is required. 

If the patient has a suspicious value during the 1-hour testing, this particular test helps rule out a dangerous prenatal diabetes development called gestational diabetes. The development of life-threatening preeclampsia is a risk derived from gestational diabetes. Hence, this tests immense value during the second trimester. 

This straightforward test involves a fasting period of 8 hours. Before administering a sugary drink containing 100 grams of glucose, blood sugar levels are taken. The patient is then to wait one hour after consumption before the next sample is taken. This occurs twice more in one-hour increments, meaning a total of 4 blood samples are taken for analysis, and no other food or drink is to be eaten during the 3-hour testing period. It is recommended that patients fast overnight and conduct the test first thing in the morning. 

A clear and concise charting tool like this helps to collate the results and compare them against the parameters of typical blood sugar levels, helping in the important diagnosis of gestational diabetes. The easy-to-use and easy-to-store chart makes this invaluable test a streamlined experience so that all further interventions can be collated, and the patient can access their results on Carepatron's centralized workspace through the free patient portal.

Downloadable 3-Hour Glucose Test Results Chart here

Check out our free 3-Hour Glucose Test Results Chart PDF for download

How Does It Work?

Step One: Gather your Resources

An easy-to-access and user-friendly chart for recording and analyzing the 3-hour glucose test results is key in any healthcare practice. Ensure you have your free printable 3-hour glucose test result chart on hand by simply clicking the “Download Template” button or keyword search “3-hour glucose test result chart” on the extensive database in Carepatrons template library.

Step Two: Collate Essential Information 

Fill in the patient's key details and relevant medical history as well as symptoms and gestational period. Highlight if the patient falls under any of the ‘at risk’ categories and include the 1 hour glucose tolerance test result that indicated the need for this further testing.  

Step Three: Conduct Testing

  • Communicate to your patient that there needs to be an 8-hour fast before their scheduled appointment at a hematology lab. Small sips of water are permissible. 
  • When they first arrive blood will be drawn, and then the glucose drink will be offered. This needs to be consumed in five minutes or less. 
  • After an hour, blood levels will be taken again, and this process will repeat in one-hour increments till there are 4 total samples. No food or drink will be consumed during this 3-hour testing period, and smoking and exercise are also undesirable. 

Step Four: Record and Analyze Results

Once blood test results are returned from the laboratory, fill in all sections of the glucose test result chart against the appropriate testing increments. The recommended parameters are then compared to your patient's results, and a diagnosis of gestational diabetes can then be formed. Use this same form to conveniently make further treatment suggestions and share with the appropriate specialists to assist the patient in the management of their condition.  

Step Five: Store the Template Securely

After reviewing the results and hosting a consultation with your patient, you need to secure the 3-hour glucose test results chart so that access is only granted to relevant parties. Ensure this by utilizing Carepatrons HIPAA-compliant free patient records software. Here, all relevant medical records can be safely stored and collated for ease and security.

3-Hour Glucose Test Result Chart Example (Sample)

Interested in making use of this vital diagnosing tool? Obtain a complimentary, downloadable, and printable completed 3-hour glucose test result chart PDF. We've designed this sample template with fictional data to assist you in effectively utilizing the chart and analyzing the glucose level parameters.

Obtain your copy by either previewing the sample below or clicking the "Download Example PDF" button.

Download our free 3-Hour Glucose Test Result Chart PDF

3-Hour Glucose Test Result Chart Example

When Would You Use This Test?

A 3-hour glucose test, also known as a 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is an easy and relatively non-intrusive test that can be used in multiple scenarios: 

Gestational Diabetes Screening

If the pregnant patient sits outside of the normal parameters in a 1-hour glucose tolerance test, this more comprehensive screening test is utilized to help determine whether or not the prenatal condition is present and poses any risk. This screening typically occurs between the 24th and 28th week yet high-risk populations may receive this test earlier. 

High Risk for Gestational Diabetes

Women who are part of the high-risk population for the development of this type of diabetes are advised strongly to engage in this testing process. Individuals with a family history of diabetes, high body mass index, or a previous pregnancy that caused the development of gestational diabetes are all patients who should receive this test prior to the second trimester. 

Confirming Diagnosis

This test is paramount in the follow-up steps to an abnormal result during the 1 hour glucose tolerance test as it helps solidify the diagnosis. It is a more detailed assessment of how the patient processes glucose over time and helps to illustrate the difference in glycolic control. This test can be used to confidently make a  distinction between gestational diabetes and normal changes in blood sugar through pregnancy.

What Do the Results Mean?

The metabolization of glucose can be analyzed over the four key time points of testing (fasting, 1 hour, 2 hours, and 3 hours) and compared to the recommended parameters for each period or identified as part of the abnormal figures section. Below are the parameters indicating abnormal blood values for the 3-hour, 100-gram oral glucose tolerance test: 

  • Fasting:  Abnormal blood glucose levels: greater than 95 mg/dL (5.3 mmol/L)
  • 1 Hour Post Drink:  Abnormal blood glucose levels: greater than 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L)
  • 2 Hours Post Drink:  Abnormal blood glucose levels: greater than 155 mg/dL (8.6 mmol/L)
  • 3 Hours Post Drink:  Abnormal blood glucose levels: greater than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L)

If any one of the results is sitting within the abnormal threshold, medical specialists are encouraged to re-test in four weeks and review diet plans. Should two or more of the results appear abnormal, the patient will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. In this instance, further complications can be treated and managed through careful monitoring of daily blood glucose levels for the remainder of the pregnancy.

Why Use Carepatron as your 3-Hour Glucose Test Results app?

When it comes to managing your 3-Hour Glucose Test Result chart, Carepatron stands as the ideal choice. Our cutting-edge 3-Hour Glucose Test Result App and Software are carefully designed with your needs in mind, ensuring a comprehensive, user-friendly, and efficient solution for monitoring and analyzing your patient's glucose test results.

Our 3-hour glucose test result chart App securely stores data and facilitates convenient sharing between healthcare providers and clients. Uploading results, accessing historical data, and keeping tabs on blood sugar control are made hassle-free with our versatile software, compatible with a variety of devices.

Our software assists you in tracking blood sugar trends and enables well-informed decisions about managing gestational diabetes. Our personalized insights provide you with the tools to seize control of the management of your patient's health.

Carepatron fosters collaboration among healthcare professionals by simplifying the sharing of glucose test data, ensuring that your entire care team is in sync when it comes to managing gestational diabetes.

EHR software benefit

References

Bogdanet, D., O’Shea, P., Lyons, C., Shafat, A., & Dunne, F. (2020). The Oral Glucose Tolerance Test—Is It Time for a Change?—A Literature Review with an Emphasis on Pregnancy. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(11), 3451. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9113451

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. (n.d.). Glucose screening tests during pregnancy Information | Mount Sinai - New York. Mount Sinai Health System. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/tests/glucose-screening-tests-during-pregnancy

Mayo Clinic. (2022, March 24). Glucose tolerance test - Mayo Clinic. Mayoclinic.org. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/glucose-tolerance-test/about/pac-20394296

Mishra, S., Rao, C. R., & Shetty, A. (2016). Trends in the Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Scientifica, 2016, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/5489015

O’Sullivan, J. B., & Mahan, C. M. (1964). CRITERIA FOR THE ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST IN PREGNANCY. PubMed, 13, 278–285.

Who typically requests a 3-Hour Glucose Test Results Chart?
Who typically requests a 3-Hour Glucose Test Results Chart?

Commonly asked questions

Who typically requests a 3-Hour Glucose Test Results Chart?

3-hour glucose test result charts are typically requested by healthcare providers, including doctors, endocrinologists, and midwives, to monitor the blood sugar control of pregnant patients displaying glucose levels that could potentially indicate gestational diabetes.

‍When are 3-Hour Glucose Test Results Charts used?

3-hour glucose test results are used when a relatively non-intrusive assessment is needed after an initial blood glucose screening that displayed abnormal levels. Typically, these tests are carried out in the second trimester or earlier if the patient is part of a high-risk group.

‍How are 3-Hour Glucose Test Results Charts used?

A 3-hour glucose tolerance test involves the pregnant patient having blood taken before consuming a glucose-rich drink and then again at three, one-hour intervals post consumption to show a clearer picture of glycaemic control. These results can be compared to the provided abnormal parameters for gestational diabetes diagnosis.

How long does a 3-hour Glucose Test Results Chart take?

The 3-hour glucose test result chart involves an eight-hour fast, and more than three hours are allocated to a blood retrieval session. Adequate time for laboratory processing also needs to be considered. The use of the chart once results are available can take less than 10 minutes to complete.

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