Refusing GTT

[RobotHamster]

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

[CheeseFondueRocks]

It was Lucozade at my hospital. Normal glucose blood tests will also not give you a diagnosis for GD.

Is it really worth the risk? I'm sure if you speak to the hospital about the migraine issue they can give you a very early morning appointment so you don't have to fast as long. It really isn't that much Lucozade either. I jst hated it because I had never had LUcozade before and thought it tasted vile.

[DinoSnores]

Although the NICE guidelines say that we should only do GTTs on 'at risk' people, we miss about 40% of GDM that way and many diabetes specialists believe we should test every pregnant woman. The potential risks, as others have said, are so serious and very treatable.

It is pretty grim stuff to drink, but take a snack to have straight afterwards that has a bit of long acting carbohydrate and some protein (like a ham sandwich). I felt completely fine after mine.

[RobotHamster]

Very useful, thank you. I've already booked my appointment - did it weeks ago. I've got an 8am one, so will be done by 10am.

Ah it'll be fine.

I'm so sick of having blood taken

[TarkaTheOtter]

It's a tedious test but in some ways we're lucky that it can be tested for and if treated you have no higher risk then anyone else. It's undiagnosed gd that's dangerous. Increased risk of heart problems, macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, still birth, perinatal death. It's serious. Diagnosed and controlled - no increased risk.

For some reason gd has a stigma attached. It shouldn't. It's hormonal and whilst bmi seems to correlate with increased risk it is not caused by diet or weight. It's hormonal. In the US they do a 1hr screening GTT on everybody.

If you think the GTT will lead to a high likelihood of migraine, you could ask if they will let you do a food diary and blood sugar testing for a week or so instead. It's a lot of extra work for them and you so you would need to make your case effectively.

[Teaandflapjacks]

Just a bit of food for thought - i also had the test (2 hour one), my BMI was 23 at BFP. I live in Germany where this test is considered standard for everyone, regardless of history, weight etc etc. There is absolutely no stigma attached to it here and you would be considered very odd by docs here if you refused - like saying 'no I wont have my blood checked for iron levels' etc. I had it, and was fine. A very good friend had it - she is slim, I guess BMI 21 when she got preg. - and she ended up having GD. The reason the NHS (I firmly believe) screen people with just a higher BMI or a risk in family is purely a funding issue - ideally everyone would be given it - due to the risks of having GD, as other posters have said, outweighing the issues of the test.

Yes the sugar drink was vile - but the most tiring bit was waiting for bloods to be taken - so take a good mag/book.

[RobotHamster]

Ahhh thanks for talking some sense into me. Sounds like its something every pregnant woman should have tbh!

[Mythreeknights]

I agree, every pregnant woman should be tested and it's a cost cutting issue whereby they just use parameters such as familial diabetes and BMI to set the benchmarks for those most 'at risk'. They don't tell you the gender of your baby in my area at the 20 week scan as they want to save money by spending less time in the ultrasound room...so, I guess if you are offered the GTT, you could almost consider yourself lucky!

[Teaandflapjacks]

No worries - TBH I think, like me, you just get fed up of all these tests and being fiddled about with!!! xx

[Teaandflapjacks]

@ Mythreeknights - that was my take on it too - felt lucky I was able to have it done and could rule it out.

[ExpatAl]

Completely agree Tarka. We all have to have it in Germany too. I appreciate the extra screening we get here.

[ExpatAl]

...I mean we all have to have the test in Belgium too.

[maggiethemagpie]

Why would you not want to have the GTT? Even if is a tiny chance that you have it, if you do and it was missed and your baby was ill or worst case scenario stillborn, how would you feel?
We are pretty lucky to have free medical care in this country, a lot of places you'd have to pay for a test like this, or if you could not afford it go without.
I know you are concerned about getting a migraine but surely it is worth it to know if you have GD or not?
I haven't had the GTT as I already have diabetes, but I had the whooping cough jab on Monday to avoid the risk of my LO getting an illness in their early weeks, my arm was really sore and itchy for two days and hurt like hell, but I am putting my child's welfare before my own comfort so don't really see it as a big deal/

[Blankiefan]

Can I hijack the thread to ask some GTT questions? I have one booked in for 14 August - will they get in touch before then to tell me more about it or should I chase it up? Also, the midwife said ages ago that you drink some "unpleasant gunk" - looks like they use Lucozade elsewhere (a much better thought). Can I take some along and get them to use this instead? Thanks.

[TarkaTheOtter]

blankie have you had a letter about your appt? You will need to fast from 10pm/midnight of the night before. Water only, no breakfast. They'll take your bloods when you arrive, then you drink the drink, then they take blood again 2hrs later. Take a large snack to have once its over. If you have GD they'll let you know within a day or two.

I doubt they will let you use lucozade if they don't generally as they would need to know the correct measurement etc.
It's really not that bad as you don't have to drink that much of it.

[RobotHamster]

Maggie - read the thread. I've said I'm having the test. I was in two mind when I started this thread and got all the info I needed.

Blankie - hijack away. MW told me I needed to fast for 12 hours before the test, so I've got one booked for early AM. I'd contact the surgery/hospital just to double check I think.

[Emigrated]

Just wanted to add in my part of Australia all women have a glucose screen test at 26 weeks. If 1hr after a sugar drink levels are not below 7.9mmol then you have the 3hr test. 30% of women end up having it and 10% get gd diagnosis. The risk factors of certain ethnicities and family history are also pointed out on leaflets etc. refusing this test is not on the conversation radar, all my pregnancy friends are keen to know, as was I. I sailed through the screen despite a high bmi and fwiw the only people in my peer group to get it are all skinny. It makes me irritated to read the guilt put on larger women when it's an important test in all pregnancies.

[Tortoiseonthehalfshell]

In Australia, it's given to everyone now (although of course you can refuse it). I was diagnosed positive for GD with my first despite having NO risk factors. My BMI was 23 or so, I was only just 30, I have no family history of diabetes, nothing. So in the UK it wouldn't have been picked up, and who knows how things would have gone?

For my second daughter, I did refuse the test BUT, and this is key, I did so because I already knew how to treat GD and I put myself on the GD diet and monitored my sugars thrice-daily. Which is what I would have done with a positive diagnosis anyway.

[bigkidsdidit]

At my hospital (Chelsea and Westmjnster) we a got it too as standard. It's fine Op, good luck :)

[RobotHamster]

Emigrated - that's how I feel too. Its not like I can do much about my weight at the moment us it (though am trying to maintain my weight, rather than put any on).

Glad to hear its standard for all women in some areas too.

[Emigrated]

yep. Good luck with it.

[PetraBaelish]

Well done Hamster on making an informed decision. IMO the pros by far outweigh the cons with this test!
I have to have it too despite BMI being 21; but my mum had GD when pg with me so I'm high risk. I didn't get it with my previous two pregnancies so I hope I'll be ok again this time!

I won't lie to you it's a horrible, nasty "drink", but you are allowed to have water afterwards so bring a big bottle! At least that will get the taste out of your mouth a bit.

Good luck with the test and I hope you won't develop GD.