Glucose Tolerance Test - GCSE Biology Definition

Reviewed by: Lára Marie McIvor

Published

A Glucose Tolerance Test is a medical test used to check how well your body processes sugar. It helps doctors find out if a person has diabetes or other problems with how the body handles sugar. During the test, a person is usually asked to fast overnight and then drink a sugary liquid at the clinic. After drinking it, doctors take a series of blood samples over a few hours to see how quickly the sugar is cleared from the blood. If the sugar levels stay too high, it might mean the person has diabetes or a condition called insulin resistance. This test helps understand how the body manages glucose, which is important for maintaining energy and health.

Examiner-written GCSE Biology revision resources that improve your grades 2x

  • Written by expert teachers and examiners
  • Aligned to exam specifications
  • Everything you need to know, and nothing you don’t
GCSE Biology revision resources

Share this article

Lára Marie McIvor

Reviewer: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Biology, Psychology & Sociology Subject Lead

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.

The examiner written revision resources that improve your grades 2x.

Join now