Quick answer
The Glucose Challenge Test (GCT) costs ₹500 at Live Line Health Care. A one-hour screening test in pregnancy, done at a centre. No fasting is needed. It uses a blood sample and the report is usually ready the same day. It is done at a Live Line centre, not at home, and 45 centres offer it.
Also known as: GCT, Glucose Challenge Test, 50g GCT, 50 g Glucose Test, One Hour Glucose Test, Gestational Diabetes Screening Test, GCT in Pregnancy
What is the Glucose Challenge (GCT) Test?
The Glucose Challenge Test (GCT) is a screening test for diabetes in pregnancy. You drink a solution containing 50 g of glucose, and a single blood sample is taken exactly 1 hour later. There is no need to fast, which makes it simpler than the full glucose tolerance test. It is usually done between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, the period when the hormones of pregnancy make it harder for the body to use insulin and gestational diabetes tends to appear.
The GCT is done only at a Live Line centre, not with home collection. The sample must be taken exactly one hour after the drink, and you need to stay seated without eating, walking about or smoking while you wait, so the reading is reliable. Please note that the GCT is a screen and does not diagnose diabetes. A normal result is reassuring. A raised result means you need the oral glucose tolerance test, which uses 75 g of glucose after an overnight fast and gives a final answer. Some doctors skip the screen and order the full test directly, so book whichever one your obstetrician has asked for.
What it measures: Plasma glucose exactly 1 hour after drinking 50 g of glucose, without prior fasting.
Parameters included (1)
- 1 Hour Plasma Glucose after 50 g Glucose (mg/dL)
Why is this test done?
- Screening for gestational diabetes, usually between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy
- Earlier screening in pregnancy for women at higher risk, when the doctor advises it
- Deciding who needs the full glucose tolerance test
- Checking women with a past gestational diabetes or a previous large baby
When should you get tested?
- You are between 24 and 28 weeks pregnant and your doctor has asked for the GCT
- You are overweight or had gestational diabetes in an earlier pregnancy
- A close family member has diabetes
- An earlier baby weighed more than 4 kg at birth
- Sugar was found in your urine at an antenatal visit
How to prepare for the Glucose Challenge (GCT) Test
- 1You do not need to fast, but avoid a very sugary meal or sweet drink in the hour or two before you come.
- 2Visit a Live Line centre, as the timed sample cannot be taken at home. Allow about 1.5 hours for the visit.
- 3Drink the full glucose solution within 5 minutes, and stay seated at the centre until the sample is taken 1 hour later.
- 4Do not eat, smoke or walk around during the wait. Plain water in small sips is usually fine.
- 5Carry your antenatal card, so the result can be added to your pregnancy record.
Glucose Challenge (GCT) Test normal range
| Parameter | Typical reference range |
|---|---|
| Screen negative (common cut-off) | Below 140 mg/dL |
| Screen positive | 140 mg/dL or highersome doctors use 130 or 135 mg/dL |
| Markedly high | About 190–200 mg/dL or highersome doctors treat this as gestational diabetes; others still order the full test |
The cut-off for a positive screen varies between doctors. A positive screen only means that a full glucose tolerance test is needed. Ranges are typical adult values and vary between labs, age and sex. Always use the range printed on your report and discuss results with your doctor.
Understanding your results
- A value below the cut-off means gestational diabetes is unlikely at this stage, though your doctor may repeat screening if risk factors appear later.
- A value at or above the cut-off means a full glucose tolerance test is needed. Many women with a positive screen turn out not to have gestational diabetes.
- A very high value leads some doctors to start a diabetes plan straight away. Your obstetrician will decide the right next step.
- If gestational diabetes is confirmed, diet changes, sugar monitoring and sometimes medicines help protect both mother and baby.
Glucose Challenge (GCT) Test – FAQs
What is the price of the Glucose Challenge (GCT) Test?
The Glucose Challenge Test (GCT) costs ₹500 at Live Line Health Care, at all 45 centres.
Why must the GCT be done at a centre?
The sample must be drawn exactly 1 hour after the glucose drink, and you must stay seated without food or exercise during that hour. Walking around or eating changes the result. We therefore do this test at a Live Line centre, where staff can keep the timing exact.
Do I need to fast for the glucose challenge test?
No, fasting is not needed. You can have a light normal meal beforehand, though avoiding sweets and sugary drinks just before the test is sensible. That is one of the main differences from the oral glucose tolerance test, which needs an overnight fast.
What is the difference between GCT and OGTT in pregnancy?
The GCT is a one hour screen with 50 g of glucose and no fasting. The OGTT uses 75 g after an overnight fast, with samples at set times, and is the diagnostic test. A raised GCT usually leads to an OGTT, while some doctors prefer the OGTT from the start.
Does a high GCT mean I have gestational diabetes?
Not necessarily. The GCT is set to catch as many cases as possible, so many women with a high screen have a normal full test. Your doctor will usually arrange the oral glucose tolerance test to confirm or rule out gestational diabetes before any treatment decisions.
When is the GCT done in pregnancy?
Usually between 24 and 28 weeks, when gestational diabetes most often appears. Women at higher risk, such as those with obesity, previous gestational diabetes or a strong family history, may be tested earlier. Your obstetrician will tell you the right week for you.
Will the glucose drink affect my baby?
No. The 50 g glucose drink is roughly the sugar in a sweet drink, and it is used routinely in pregnancy. Some women feel slightly sick or light-headed afterwards. Resting during the hour and having a snack after the sample usually helps.
Where can I get the Glucose Challenge (GCT) Test done?
At any of our 45 Live Line Health Care centres in 40 cities across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Warangal, Kakinada and Nellore. This test is done at a centre, not at home.
Medical disclaimer: This information is for general awareness only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor to interpret your results and before starting or changing any treatment.