Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is a pre-diabetic state, associated with insulin resistance and increased risk cardiovascular pathology. IGT may precede type 2 diabetes mellitus by many years.

It is characterised by an oral glucose tolerance test with an intermediately raised glucose level after 2 hours, but less than would qualify for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The fasting glucose may be either normal or mildly elevated.

The risk of progression to diabetes and development of cardiovacular disease is greater than for Impaired fasting glycaemia

See also

• Impaired fasting glycaemia

Endocrinology