Specimen Requirements

1.         Have the patient fast over night.  Draw a blood sample for fasting blood sugar level.  A six to nine hour fast is sufficient for infants.

2.         The adult patient is then given 50 gm lactose suspended in 75 ml water to drink, followed immediately by a rinse of 175 ml water.

3.          The infant patient is given 1.0 gm lactose per kilogram body weight, usually given as a 10% solution in water.  A 20% or stronger solution may be given if volume is a factor in administration.

                                    a.         Infant dosage should not exceed 50gm.

 4.         In addition to the fasting level, blood samples are drawn at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120  minutes after the lactose is given.

 5.         Determine the glucose level for each of the timed blood samples.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Specimen Type: Plasma

Container/Tube: Grey top (potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride)

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Additional Information: Label specimen appropriately (plasma).

Specimen Type: Serum

Container/Tube: Serum gel

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Additional Information: Label specimen appropriately (serum).