Glucose Tolerance Test

[eurochick]

Is everyone having this now, or only people in certain risk categories?

If you have had it and had a positive result, how was the GD treated?

Thanks.

[Safyre]

I've just had one, but I was under the impression that it was only because I was obese pre-pregnancy. I definitely didn't have one during my first pregnancy (~2 years ago).

It was negative, but I got an information sheet which described the treatment as dietary control in the first case, and insulin as required (I think I am remembering this right).

[DinoSnores]

NICE guidelines mean that probably only 50% of diagnoses are picked up, so some hospitals offer every woman a glucose challenge (273ml Original Lucozade, then a blood glucose an hour later) and then do GTTs on those with abnormal results.

If it is abnormal, the treatment options are diet (reducing carbohydrates), metformin and insulin. It depends on how things go what treatment will be needed.

Hope that helps. The NICE guidelines might be helpful:

www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/CG063Guidance.pdf

[DinoSnores]

Should have clarified by first sentence to read, "NICE guidelines mean that probably only 50% of diagnoses are picked up by only checking 'at risk' women."

[eurochick]

Thanks for the replies.

I was trying to decide whether to have it as it had been mentioned to me at booking in, but I've just heard (since posting0 that my area might have stopped offering it anyway, so the choice could have been taken out of my hands.

I understand what the options are for treatment. I was wondering what individuals had been recommended.

[DinoSnores]

I would never not have it. I am a diabetes doctor and have seen the problems of untreated gestational diabetes. This is my fourth pregnancy and I've had a glucose tolerance test and I am not in an 'at risk' group.

A lot of women can just manage on diet, some need metformin, fewer need insulin.

[basgetti]

I would definitely have it. My area offers it routinely at 28 weeks, and in my first pregnancy I was diagnosed with GD despite having no risk factors. I ended up on insulin and had to be induced 2 weeks early.

I am now 8 weeks pregnant and due to my history am having an early GTT on thursday and have been referred to consultant too.

[corduroybear]

I had it in the USA, where it's given as standard (at least with my OB). They are a little, shall we say keener, on tests over there since then they can bill your insurance as well as lessen their liability but it must serve some sort of purpose.

I had zero risk factors btw and hadn't had GD with my first pregnancy.

[Armadale]

In my trust they now do random blood sugar readings when they take routine bloods, and if one of these comes back high they then do a proper GTT, otherwise you don't get one unless there is some other reason they are worried such as urine sample having glucose in it.

I am in the control group of a study going on at my hospital, so just had one for that, and it was fine. It was no food or drink except water from 10pm, fasting bloods taken at 9am then 450ml of Lucozade, bloods an hour and two hours after.

The only slightly annoying bit was that I have tricky veins, so getting three blood samples out of me was easier said than done.

The advice leaflet we got first said if the bloods came back high you would be seen the same day by the diabetic nurse and given dietary advice and shown how to test bloods at home. This would be assessed in 7 days and would be continued or supplemented with metformin for a further 7 days and again this would be continued or you would be given insulin if it not controlled.

It also said a diagnosis would mean an induction would be scheduled for 38 weeks.

[Hellymummy]

In my area you only have it if you are high risk from diabetes. That is if you obese, have high bmi or family history .

[eurochick]

Helly I think it is similar for me. My only risk factor was my dad recently being diagnosed with Type II after piling on the weight in early retirement (annoyingly as we had been trying for years before he was diagnosed - I wouldn't have had any risk factors if I had conceived earlier). It was mentioned to me at booking and I was wondering whether to push for it now. But now it seems that my area has stopped it anyway.

[squizita]

Everyone at my ante-natal has it at about 24-28 weeks. I am not in any risk group and was booked in routinely. I think many places do that now, as quite a few women have it 'out of the blue'.

[hubbahubster]

Where I am, everyone gets the GTT at 28 weeks. As I was diagnosed with it in my last pg, the hospital wanted me to do four-weekly GTTs from 16 weeks. Last time I was diet controlled (I didn't actually eat any differently...) and just had to monitor my blood sugar four times a day. This pg I've been blood sugar monitoring from 16 weeks instead of doing the GTT, all levels have been fine.

BTW DC1 was thought to be 8lbs at 38 weeks - he was born at 39 weeks weighing 6lb 13... So GD doesn't always equal huge babies!

[SellyMevs]

I've had 2 GTT'S done this pregnancy, I'm only 26 weeks so far but i'm peeing out glucose at a rate of knots! From what I understand is that it's quite normal to have one at 28 weeks in this area. The tests are an absolute pain in the arse, but definitely worth doing.

[Missteacake]

Hi I'm due to have one of these at 28 weeks as I have PCOS does anyone know what the odds are for GD with PCOS I didn't even know anything about this. Is it very likely? I'm well within my BMI and eat a healthy diet? I will have the test as I will take the consultant advice I'm just wondering if it's something I should be bothered about. Also having to fast all night have bloods then wait three hours is a major pain in the ass!

[SassehMonsta]

At my booking in appointment it was noted I'd need GTT at 24& 40 weeks, as my paternal grandmother has diabetes. (We think type one but no-one has asked her, I'll see her before my next appointment and check!)

Really don't like needles so not to impressed...

[frankiebuns]

In my are everyone has it, I was of normal weight 3 years ago and had it and have it in 3 weeks time agin! But this time I'm a little bit podgier this time so I got to have one my dad has type 2 diabetes so kinda a given!

[Keepthechangeyoufilthyanimal]

I had one despite being a totally low risk complication free pregnancy.
Reason was my mum had gestational diabetes in her last pregnancy (in her 40's with twins) which was over 26 years ago!
Family history and all that

[Smicha]

I am not in any at risk category, but everyone in my area has it and I'm so pleased about that as I was diagnosed with GD at 28 weeks. Managed with a very strict diet til about 36 weeks, then was given insulin for nighttime use only. I was due to be induced at 38 weeks but DS chose to come on his own on the day of planned induction!

[magichandles]

5 years ago with DC1 mine was picked up by a random blood sample. 3 years ago (DC2) I was tested at 28 weeks because of previous GD. This pregnancy I've got GTTs (depending on results) at 9, 20 and 28 weeks so they definitely seem more on the ball this time round to catch it earlier.

DC1 - tried diet for a week and then on insulin. DC2 straight onto insulin in combination with diet because of previous insulin and I had to have both lots of insulin this time. Metformin wasn't advised because of a bowel condition I have. Not sure what will happen this pregnancy, first GTT came back negative but I fully expect to get it again.

[ots]

I had one with DS as I had polyhydromasis (spelling?) which can be caused by GD. It came back negative luckily. Think they should be offered to everyone tbh.