GTT

[fen77]

Hello, has anyone had a GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test), if so, is it as terrible as it sounds, been told to have one and I hate with a passion bloodtests!!

[thisisyesterday]

well if you really hate bloodtests then you won't enjoy it!
apart from the taking blood bit the rest isn't too awful!

[Pootle78]

The drink isn't the best and thought that was worse than the blood tests, even the pathology lady said she had never seen anyone take so long to drink it (thought it was coming back at one point) however, the worst thing was not being able to leave Pathology for 2 hours - it was dull, dull, dull!!!

Luckily for me, all came back clear so no having to do it again!

[Deliaskis]

I'm having one on Devember 1st. Am dreading it TBH as am still throwing up in the morning if I haven't eaten anything (26 weeks). Also everybody seems to have real trouble getting blood out of me and it's been a bit traumatic both times I have had to give blood so far.

So errmm...sorry...that's not very helpful to you, but will be watching this with interest.

D

[yellowflowers]

It was so much better than I thought it would be. Take a magazine or book because you have to hang round lots between tests, and take a banana and or sandwich for immediately afterwards because you will be hungry. The lucozade is a bit too sweet but you have ten mins to drink it in so you can sip it. I think you can have water too if that helps to wash it down.

x

[fen77]

Thanks everyone, yeah have heard the drink is pretty horrible! and alot of people bring it up straight away!!
Deliaskis, feel for you they have trouble taking blood from me too, which makes it alot worse!!
Will keep you posted, its on the 25th Nov so fingers crossed for me, anyone have any tips for getting through blood tests!?

[Pootle78]

Forgot to add, I was allowed to have sugar free chewing gum so may be of some help and can definitely second the taking some food with you for as soon as the whole thing is over.

[redandyellowandpinkandgreen]

It was better than I thought. I was dreading getting a migraine as I tend to when my blood sugars drop but the drink must have stopped that and they gave me some paracetomol at the start.

[8rubberduckies]

I was allowed to go home betwen tests, which made it more bearable. The drink is pretty grim though,a lthough I did keep it down

[happycamel]

Re the blood tests. Try asking for them to use a black (narrow bore) needle. If anyone uses a green (standard) one on me its sore and won't go in my vein properly.

Now I know what to ask for its a lot better having blood tests. BTW, I'm referring to the colour of the plastic bit that holds the needle, but they'll know what you mean.

[LLKH]

fen77 you can always say no. I hated the idea as sugary stuff makes me irritable and irrational and I didn't like the idea of fasting. I talked to my midwife about my concerns and she agreed to just keep me monitored. All is fine and I felt really pleased that she had listened to me and been willing to accept alternatives. But that may depend on your midwife.

[Crystylline]

i didn't have any problems, except being hungry!

I arrived early (had an 8.30am appt)and they took me straight in, a small amount of blood taken, then drank some lucozade slowly, then read magazines for two hours.

She came back a few times, checked i was ok, then after two hours, took blood again, then i went to the cafe and ate (alot).

got my results the following day.

all in all, nothing unpleasant or stressful.

[slimyak]

I agree with Crystylline. A really sweet drink and a couple of blood tests is not that bad.

You get to sit with your feet up for a couple of hours (take a good book) and they don't make you down the drink. Sip it over 10 minutes with some not too cold water and it should go down OK. And if it's the needles that bother you let them know and most nurses will do their best to make it as easy as possible for you. Don't let them set a student on you!

Also the fasting - not great but it's a night time fast, so it's a late breakfast rather than starvation. The sugar drink brings your glucose levels up straight away so you'll feel hungry and need to eat when you're done but it's not like feeling faint hungry.

Hope it goes well and you get a good result. Try not to panic yourself beforehand.