GTT most commonly stands for glucose tolerance test. This test measures how well your body processes sugar (glucose). It's frequently used to diagnose diabetes, insulin resistance, and other related conditions. However, the abbreviation "gtt" can also mean "drops," a unit of volume often used in medicine.
Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)
A glucose tolerance test (GTT) is a medical procedure that assesses your body's ability to utilize and store glucose. The test involves drinking a sugary solution, followed by blood draws at intervals to monitor glucose levels. Results help diagnose various conditions, including:
- Diabetes mellitus: Characterized by high blood sugar levels.
- Insulin resistance: A condition where cells don't respond effectively to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar.
- Impaired pancreatic beta-cell function: The pancreas's ability to produce insulin is compromised.
- Reactive hypoglycemia (rarely): Low blood sugar after eating.
- Acromegaly (rarely): A hormonal disorder caused by excessive growth hormone.
Several sources confirm the GTT's role in diagnosing these conditions. For example, this resource explains that a GTT checks "if your body can use and store glucose (sugar) as it should." Another source, this MedlinePlus article, describes the GTT as a test that checks "how your body moves sugar from the blood into tissues like muscle and fat."
GTT as "Drops"
In some contexts, particularly in medication administration, "gtt" is a Latin abbreviation for gutta meaning "drop." This is frequently used in prescribing or documenting the administration of liquid medications, specifying the number of drops to be given. For example, "5 gtt" would indicate five drops. This nursing resource clarifies that "gtt" stands for "drops" and that one drop is generally considered to be 0.05 mL. Another source, this document, lists "gtt" as an abbreviation for "drop" or "drops."
Therefore, the meaning of GTT depends entirely on the context.
