Impaired glucose tolerance

Normal glucose tolerance is when a person’s blood glucose stays in the normal range all the time. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is a pre-diabetic state of hyperglycemia that is associated with insulin resistance and increased risk of cardiovascular pathology.

Impaired glucose tolerance may precede type 2 diabetes mellitus by many years. In normal man a standard glucose load of 75 g in 200 ml of water raises plasma glucose to levels not exceeding 8 mmol/L 2 hours after the load. If the 2 hours venous plasma concentration is greater than 8 mmol/L but below 11 mmol/L the diagnosis is impaired glucose tolerance.

If the cells in the pancreas that make insulin are slowly destroyed by either a condition such as pancreatitis or by deposits of amyloid building up inside of the cells, then the person will begin to develop impaired glucose tolerance.

If the destruction of the insulin cells goes on long enough, the person will move from impaired glucose tolerance to diabetes.

Individuals with impaired glucose tolerance fasting glycemia usually have no symptoms. Therefore, a large number of people are still unaware of prediabetes condition which increases the risk for diabetes.

Patient with impaired glucose tolerance can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus by 58% with a conscientious lifestyle modification program consisting of diet, exercise and weight loss.
Impaired glucose tolerance