Because of the possibility of false-positive test results, a single glucose tolerance test may not always be sufficient to establish a diagnosis. This classification means that your doctor is likely to monitor you because you have a higher than normal risk of developing diabetes and atherosclerotic heart disease in the future. If you have a history of pregnancy that resulted in stillbirth or in babies that weighed more than 9 pounds at birth, or if you had impaired glucose tolerance in a prior pregnancy, you should be tested for diabetes mellitus, especially if you are planning another pregnancy. Some factors that may adversely affect tests for diabetes mellitus are certain drugs, significant restriction of carbohydrate intake, low potassium levels, stress, and prolonged inactivity. Your doctor will give you a list of drugs that should be discontinued for a few days before testing.
Sugar is an osmotic agent, meaning it pulls water along with it as it passes out of the body.
This is what causes the incessant urination, dehydration, thirst, and weight loss characteristic of diabetes. Published under license from Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.