Used as a source of energy in intravenous feeding for patients who cannot eat or drink normally. Commonly administered in hospitals to treat low blood sugar, dehydration, and to provide calories when the body cannot get enough from food. Also used during surgery and in recovery to maintain proper fluid and nutrient balance. In some cases, it serves as a diluent for medications given by IV. Widely used in medical testing, such as glucose tolerance tests for diagnosing diabetes.