Specimen Requirements

Patient preparation:

1. Patient does not need to be fasting and needs no preparation.  The gestational diabetic screen is performed without regard to last meal or time of day.
2. Patient must not eat, smoke, or ingest caffeinated drinks during the one hour period between ingestion of glucose solution and blood collection.  Water is allowed.  No caloric intake is required.
3. Patient must remain calm during the test.
4. Vomiting negates the test.

Collection instructions:

1. Administer 50g glucose beverage. Patient should drink the solution completely within 5 minutes. 
2. Collect blood specimen one hour after patient finishes the required dose of glucose tolerance beverage. 

Specimen Type: Plasma or Serum

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Green-top (lithium heparin) gel tube

Acceptable: Plain, red-top tube or SST

Specimen Volume: 2 mL

Pediatric (minimum) volume: 0.5 mL