GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST

[Queenie]

I am interested to know if anyone has been for a glucose tolerance test. I have been showing high sugar in my urine (2.5 at 27 weeks pregnant) but blood sugar seems fine. When I questioned GP he was a little confused as to what this meant - I do not want to develop gestational diabetes. He has recommended a glucose tolerance test which he says will be conclusive. Does anyone have any experience of this? Apparently I have to fast for 12 hours before the test which is a pain but then so will giving up sweet things if GD is developing. Would love to hear from any of you who may have had something similar during pregnancy.

When will you have the test. Mine was about 10 am so the fasting was not too bad. Had no problem with sugar but because DS was big they thought this might be caused by diabetes (total red herring as it happened). Unfortunately I can't remember much about it to help you. But try not to worry sometimes they can be overly cautious - I also had umpteen scans because of DS's size (and yes he was big 9lb 10oz but not exactly off-the-scale huge). Sorry I hope that is not trivialising the issue - I hated waiting for tests and things when pregnant.

During my first pregnancy I had the urine test every week and then somewhere around 20 (?) weeks they did a preliminary glucose test (standard for all pregnant women at that hospital) which involved drinking a bottle of gatorade and then doing the urine test an hour later (no fasting). This showed high blood sugar, so they sent me for a proper glucose test with fasting. Like bozza, I had it in the morning so the fasting wasn't a big deal. It was mostly just boring...drinking sugar water and waiting for them to take blood. But it turned out to be a total false alarm and there was nothing wrong at all.
My cousin had gestational diabetes which got progressively worse with each pregnancy. By the 3rd pregnancy she had to use insulin, but both her and the babies were fine each time...it's mostly just a pain...so don't worry. And my cousin was obese before she even got pregnant which is a causal factor.

Queenie - just to say we do loads of GTT's at my clinic - and nearly ALL of them are normal results! Basically your body becomes less tolerant to sugar in pregnancy, and is less able to deal with it effectively - for example if you have a chocolate bar a bit before doing your urine test, sugar (glycosuria) may be evident. For most women, sugar in urine is just showing the body is not dealing AS EFFECTIVELY as usual with sugar intake. Diabetes in pregnancy is different (will go into more detail if you want me too, but it is a bit long winded!), but is also detected by sugar in urine. Therefore any lady who has glycosuria on two or more occasions should have a GTT. This involves fasting for approx 12 hrs (but usually from midnight is fine) with a blood test first thing (around 8.30 am) - this is called a 'fasting' blood, and sees what your blood sugar levels are - obviously they should be quite low. You are then given a sugary drink and asked to wait two hrs. Another blood test is then performed to check your blood sugar, to see how your body has coped with an influx of sugar. In diabetic women, this sugar level will be very high. Most pregnant women fall into a normal 'pregnant' range. Anyone with a history of a large baby should also routinely be checked, or anyone with family history of diabetes in pregnancy. The reason is, if lots of sugar is free flowing in your bloodstream - this passes to baby - big baby! These babies can also have problems after delivery, withdrawing if you like from the high amounts of sugar they have been used to receiving in utero

Hi Queenie. I had this test too because ds was so big in the womb. It was absolutely nothing, just the tinest needle prick - really painless and easy. Tests are usually in the am so the fasting bit is nothing too. Mine was clear as well. He was just a nice big lad who weighed 8.8 despite being 3weeks early planned c-section due to minor medical probs. Don't worry just take a book or something else to read to pass the time.

Yes, the GTT is a pain in the neck! The fasting isn't a problem as it really just means having no breakfast - I was allowed a black coffee on the morning of the test!

1st GTT was clear and DS1 was a hefty 10lb 1oz, With the 2nd pregnancy I ended up at the diabetic clinic just to be monitored - the GTT was only just out of normal range. DS2 was a delicate 8lb 4oz (but 2 weeks early). Both GTTs were at 30 weeks pregnant which is when my problems developed.

Don't worry about it, it seems extremely common. My main problem in my second pregnancy was my incessant craving for Kit Kat Chunky bars!! This may have been the cause of the high sugar...

Someone told me that if the testing sticks have been open a long time, this can give false readings - certainly I only got sugar highlighted when I saw my GP (who sees less pregnant women) but not with the midwives who see more and therefore have "fresher" sticks - does anyone know if this is true?

I had a GTT in my 1st pregnancy at about 27 weeks and it was just as everyone has said, done early in morning so just didn't eat from midnight before. It was just boring waiting for the time to pass before the next blood was taken so yes TAKE SOME GOOD READING!! As it happens I was found to have gestational diabetes, (it was really bad timing just before xmas & I was sooo looking forward to all the goodies of the season!) I was put on diet control which really took alot of will power & re-education on the food front but knowing it would help my baby made it easier. I did go back to normal after the birth & chocholate was back on the eating list!! My 2nd (most recent pregnancy) I was sent for a GTT early on in the pregnancy due to my history & was found to be intolerant quite early on & was put on insulin. Again it was not nice to suddenly be told & re-educated in a change in life style but it was more bearable than I imagined. I did get quite down at times about it all but looking back it really wasn't that bad. Depending on your results I'd be happy to offer support if you need it....but most tests end up ok. Try cutting down on sugary treats before your ante-natal appointments as this can really effect your urine reading anyway!

I used to try and remember to cut out sugary things and then drink stacks of water before taking my sample on the assumption it would dilute it! Kind of defeats the purpose though..

Many thanks to you all for your advice and experiences. Had the GTT this morning and thought the drink was lovely actually - maybe because I was starving. As most of you have said it is probably nothing to worry about and the results will prove OK but it's nice to hear from others just for reassurance.

Queenie, can't add anything except to say that I had GTT at about 30 weeks and it was positive. I then had to attend the antenatal diabetic clinic which was a pain in the arse (all the rest of my ante natal care was done at my local midwifery base which is only 10 minutes drive) but the antenatal clinic at the hospital is a good 40 minutes drive. Basically I was given loads of diet advice and was given a blood testing machine. It was a bit of a pain as I had to test my blood 4 times a day by pricking the end of a finger and then putting the special strip into a machine which gave a reading. I had to record of all these and I managed to control things by diet. I also had two extra scans late on in pregnancy because they were concerned about that the baby may be big. As it turned out dd was 7 lbs 5 oz !! I had another GTT six weeks post natal and am pleased to say that this was normal. Also, when dd was born we went from the labour ward to the Transitional care ward and dd was checked to make sure she didn't have any problems relating to diabetes. After 24 hours we were transferred to ordinary post natal ward.

Hopefully your result will be fine.

Queenie, have been thinking about you, have you had your result? Hoping you are ok.