Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Synonyms and keywords: Glucose intolerance; impaired glucose intolerance; impaired glycemia
Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) is a pre-diabetic state of dysglycemia, that is associated with insulin resistance and increased risk of cardiovascular pathology. IGT may precede type 2 diabetes mellitus by many years. IGT is also a risk factor for mortality.
According to the criteria of the World Health Organization and the American Diabetes Association, impaired glucose tolerance is defined as:
From 10 to 15 percent of adults in the United States have one of these conditions.
The risk of progression to diabetes and development of cardiovascular disease is greater than for Impaired fasting glycaemia.
Although some drugs can delay the onset of diabetes, lifestyle modifications play a greater role in the prevention of the disease. Patients identified as having an IGT should exercise regularly and have a balanced diet removing the empty calories of sugar.
Carnitine has been shown to improve glucose uptake, regulation, and oxidation, though temporarily (i.e. only when levels are sustained in the blood).