The effect of 50 grams of glucose orally on a number of biochemical variables.

The values of a number of biochemical variables have been studied before and after a 50-gram load of glucose orally. Reductions which were statistically significant were found for sodium, potassium, urea, total protein, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, urate, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, but not for bicarbonate, creatinine, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, cholesterol, triglyceride or chloride. The magnitude of the changes was generally not great, but could be clinically appreciable. The differences may need to be taken into account in comparing population studies.