Diabetes test

[Rosielee93]

I had a diabetes test during pregnancy about a year ago which came back normal. Does that mean its unlikely i could have normal diabetes now? Are the tests the same?

Gestational diabetes, is different to type 1 and 2 diabetes in that it tends to go away after pregnancy.

The test is the same for them all. A urine test to test for glucose/ketones and a ginger prick to check blood sugar levels if anything shows up in the urine test.

You can develop diabetes at any age although they are caused by different factors. Type 1 is an auto immune disease which stops your pancreas producing the hormone insulin so you take daily injections of insulin to replace this. You usually develop this before the age of 30 (in my case I was 20 years old)

Type 2 is generally lifestyle or age related and means your pancreas can't produce enough insulin and is usually treated with tablets and lifestyle changes or insulin if it is severe.

Gestational is usually treated with insulin but tends to go away after the birth of your baby.

Are you worried that you might be diabetic?

Oh also your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on in life is increased if you develop gestational diabetes.

If your GP thinks you might be type 2 they will arrange a HBA1C blood test. It is not diagnosed via a urine or finger prick test.

Ive had a few general symptoms so trying to rule stuff out. So if i had a test of gestational diabetes whilst pregnant and it came back normal does that mean i probably wont have diabetes?

Not necessarily as it can develop any time so even if the last test came back negative it doesn't mean that can change.

If you're worried speak to your GP. Symptoms to look out for are increased unquenchable thirst, weight loss, itchiness, fatigue (signs that your blood levels are high) and if you smell pear drops on your breath you need to be seen asap.

It might not be diabetes but if it is it can make you feel ill and needs dealt with quickly. If you're young(ish) and not overweight or leading a generally unhealthy lifestyle its not likely to be type 2, although there are exceptions, obviously.

Hope you're feeling better soon :)

A urine test to test for glucose/ketones and a ginger prick to check blood sugar levels

Ed Sheeran is used to diagnose diabetes?

@harrythesteppenworf wow I didn't notice that typo! 😂