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Pregnancy

Refusing GTT

47 replies

RobotHamster · 31/07/2013 09:43

MW told me at booking in that due to my BMI I should have the glucose tolerance test. BMI is 31 atm (was just over 30 when I got pg).
I don't really want this test, but I don't like the tickbox attitude (if I'd been just a few pounds lighter I wouldn't have been offered it)
I didn't get GD when pg with DS, and I was heavier then. I've lost 2 stone before TTC this time and I feel like all the HCPs are focussing heavily on my weight (i had none of this with my first pg at all - the test wasn't even offered to me)

Can I just refuse to have it? What are the risks if I decide not to have it? I don't feel well informed enough to refuse itat the moment.. does anybody have more information they can give me?

Are certain people more at risk from GD (weight aside). I have no family history of diabetes at all, but don't know if this is relevant

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superram · 31/07/2013 09:47

My bmi was 30.5. I had the test as non invasive and why take the risk? You seem annoyed that they mentioned your weight but like me you are obese and they have to start somewhere (ie bmi over 30). Well done on losing the weight.

Only you know why you don't want it and along with that comes your decision. Just make sure you are saying no for the right reasons.

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RobotHamster · 31/07/2013 09:52

Ah I know, I know I'm too fat, and I really tried to get my BMI under 30 before I got pregnant but didn't quite manage it.
MW is OK, just matter of fact about it which is fine. I'd my weight is a factor then talk to me about it. All other HCPs have been v patronising about it, one couldnt stop going on about it in a very weird way. The sonographer told me I needed to have my 20 week scan at 22 weeks because there's 'so much of you' (yes I'm big, but my weight isn't on my belly, just everywhere else)
(i arranged it for 20 weeks anyway and all was fine)

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RobotHamster · 31/07/2013 09:55

I probably am a bit defensive about it. :)

I don't know why I'm thinking of refusing it really, and just trying to find out more about it, and the risks, to see if I can get away with not having it.

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HaPPy8 · 31/07/2013 10:00

The risk of not having the test is undiagnosed gestational diabetes. Risks of this include a large baby which can cause problems at delivery, and a baby that finds it difficult to regulate its own blood sugars amongst other things that a quick google will easily list for you. It is possible that other symptoms in the pregnancy might lead you to accept a test, for example, if you measure large for your dates or if you start to have sugar in your urine. It is true that with a BMI of 29 you probably woudlnt be offered it but the nhs need to have a cut off somewhere, and it happens to be 30. Good luck whatever your decide.

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superram · 31/07/2013 10:06

Hamster, have the test and don't worry about your weight until after the baby is born. I wouldn't be very happy with the sonographers comment though!

Just enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

Drinking lucozade on an empty stomach is not the best experience of my life but it wasn't terrible.

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Loobylou123 · 31/07/2013 10:51

I had the test, also because of my BMI (32) - I don't really enjoy discussing my weight so once it's brought up by any health prof I tell them it is what it is, I know the score and don't want to discuss it further. That seems to put a stop to any further discussions!

The test is non invasive - just boring waiting between the control and results tests! I found the results reassuring though so was glad I had been.

I read up a bit beforehand as I was also thinking about not going - the risks seemed to be mainly a very large baby or baby whose blood sugar needs attention after birth - confirmed by midwife. I did read a few things about risk of stillbirth but I didn't ask my midwife to confirm that as the reports on it seemed a bit anecdotal rather than fact based. Would it be worth a call to your midwife to reassure you?

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Stubbed · 31/07/2013 10:55

A friend of a friend had undiagnosed GD and this resulted in a still born baby. I know it's rare but is it worth the risk?

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3boys3dogshelp · 31/07/2013 11:02

I have a family history of diabetes and was not offered a gtt with my first and third but was with my second (my weight was ok and same both times)! I had the test because like pp have said it's not invasive, just a bit of a boring morning, and the risks of undiagnosed gd are significant.
It must be frustrating when you want to be excited about your pregnancy and baby and me keeps banging on about your weight but don't put yourself and baby at risk unnecessarily.

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sallysparrow157 · 31/07/2013 11:06

Uncontrolled diabetes in pregnancy, gestational or otherwise, does increase to risk of stillbirth and heart problems ( both in the way the heart is built and in the way it functions in the first few days of life) as well as increasing the risk of having a big baby (so increased risk of a section or of the baby getting stuck on the way out) or a baby who is unable to regulate blood sugars (which can lead to fits and even brain damage)
I don't understand why anyone would refuse a GTT as it is such a simple non invasive test, you don't have breakfast, you have a blood test, you drink some lucozade, it your feet up for a bit then have another blood test, but it can pick up a problem that, if it is managed, can reduce the risk of lots of things that are harmful to the baby
People who are overweight are at much higher risk of gestational diabetes. If I was just on the cut off weight wise I would be glad I was being offered the test, you are still overweight and therefore at risk with a bmi of 29.9 but you won't get gestational diabetes picked up as early as you would have if you had eaten a big cake just before your booking in appt!

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NooMyx · 31/07/2013 11:15

My only worry with this test is that the amount of sugar you have to drink is enormous. More than three times my normal daily intake; so I worry how well it's going to represent what normally goes on with my blood sugar on a daily basis...

I wonder if it would be an acceptable alternative to simply keep a track of blood sugar at home for a period of time? (Not that anyone's told me I need the test at the moment; I'm just worrying).

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sallysparrow157 · 31/07/2013 11:29

It isn't meant to represent your normal sugar intake, it is meant to see how your body responds to a large amount of sugar, putting your blood sugar up after a sugar load (normally the body is so good at regulating glucose levels that even after far more sugar than usual the blood sugar would still be normal) is a very early sign of diabetes so it means gestational diabetes can be picked up before it has even really started, it would be picked up a fair bit later by just checking your blood sugar at home

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RobotHamster · 31/07/2013 11:35

Thanks all for taking the time to reply. I know nothing about GD, so thank you for telling me what the risks are.

One of the reasons I'm moaning about it is the fasting and then the huge amount of sugar I'll then need to drink (i really don't eat sweet things and my sugar intake is low) and the migraine I'm likely to get a few hours later as a result, but if I take it easy hopefully i'll avoid that as obviously I can't take my normal meds in pg.

I know I'm being a bit daft. I just find it odd that nothing at all was mentioned about it last time and nobody was at all concerned, despite me weighing well over 100kg by the time I got to my due date - I'm significantly lighter this time and only into the at risk weight, and its all people seem to be interested in.

You're right though, its non invasive and apart from it being annoying (and I bloody hate lucozade) there is no real reason not to have it.

Grumble.

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Mythreeknights · 31/07/2013 11:37
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UnderwaterBasketWeaving · 31/07/2013 11:43

My BMI is 18, I had a GTT. It's one test. Your weight does put you at statistically greater risk of some things, therefore you should accept the tests and treatments that are provided to minimise these.

Why would you knowingly put yourself at risk by refusing this? It's not a personal attack on your appearance.

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RobotHamster · 31/07/2013 11:44

Underwater - perhaps read my more recent post.

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UnderwaterBasketWeaving · 31/07/2013 11:50

Sorry mate, don't mean to upset you. Hope it's all clear.

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RobotHamster · 31/07/2013 11:54

Grin

Sorry, I'm being snarky

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anklebitersmum · 31/07/2013 11:56

I had a GTT with pregnancy 4. Just on 30bmi and was also lied to told it was 'like lucozade' and was a simple, risk free, potentially life saving test.

I was ill beyond belief. In bed in a darkened room for 3 days following swallowing that gloop a cross between a fibre drink and lucozade . My migraines kicked in like they were trying to win an Oscar..full blown colours, tunnel vision, searing pain and sickness. Suprising enough there was no issue and I point blank refused the follow up.

May I suggest having a good long chat with your midwife/doctor and discussing your weight and medical history before making a decision either way, including how they intend to help you handle any repercussions.

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UnderwaterBasketWeaving · 31/07/2013 12:01

I had to bring my own lucozade.

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CheeseFondueRocks · 31/07/2013 12:01

Stillbirth is indeed one of the risks of having undiagnosed GD.

I have declined all routine screening tests for chromosomal abnormalities because I will carry my child to the end either way. I cannot change if there is something wrong or not.

However, I can't see why you would decline the GTT if you are at increased risk. This means that you are potentially putting your child into a life threatening situation when you don't have to.

I had the GTT in my last pregnancy with a normal BMI because my sugars were found to be high in a blood test. This was because I had had a massive glass of fruit juice just before my blood test. I did the GTT and it was clear so your result won't be wrong because you are drinking a lot of sugar. The fasting isn't a big deal. Have dinner as normal, then just water, sleep, get up, have test, eat as much as you want. No big deal. Honestly.

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RobotHamster · 31/07/2013 12:05

anklebiters - that's exactly what I'm worried about - thank you for posting.

I have had my glucose levels tested (not fasting levels though) already this pregnancy, and all came back fine.

So - its not lucozade then? I think I'll ring the surgery and find out what it is I'll have to drink.

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RobotHamster · 31/07/2013 12:06

Should say its not the fasting I'm worried about - its thefasting followed by the high amount of glucose- migraine trigger.

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GoodMorningMoon · 31/07/2013 12:08

The risks do outweigh the draws. I was misdiagnosed with GD by my GP because I only had the 1 hr GTT and didn't know you can have a 2nd 2 hr test.

Having said that, I ate very well, have a healthy baby girl and have a better grip on my weight and diet now. I don't regret it for a minute.

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ExpatAl · 31/07/2013 12:09

I am very prone to migraine but had no problems with the test. I had some food ready to take straight after the test and drank pints and pints of water.

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RobotHamster · 31/07/2013 12:11

Thanks - yes, I think plenty of water and something healthy to eat as soon as the test is over is a good idea.

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