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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

GTT - is it worth having ?

16 replies

NemophilistRebel · 09/12/2019 17:18

My dad has diabetes and this seems to have been enough to refer me for a GTT this pregnancy.

Is it really worth it when the family history of diabetes is age and diet related and my diet doesn’t contain any added sugar at all?

(I don’t drink sugary drinks, don’t add sugar to food or drink, don’t eat sweets and avoid white carbs mainly)

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

fellyjish · 09/12/2019 17:20

Not sure why you wouldn't tbh. Whilst it's not the most fun way to spend a morning, it's not particularly unpleasant or intrusive!

PinkSubscriber · 09/12/2019 17:26

Yes it’s worth it. I had diabetes in 2 of my pregnancies caused by my dad having it. The consultant used to say I didn’t look like most of his patients and I had my father to thank for ending up in his clinic.

Boymummy3 · 09/12/2019 17:33

It's worth it yes just to check. It doesn't matter that your family history is age related. There would be no reason for you not to have it done if they want you to get it done and apart from taking a few hours out of your morning that's all it really is. Blood tests and a quick drink. I was dreading it after reading other people's views of the test and it literally flew by for me and I felt absolutely fine from it.

R2D2abc · 09/12/2019 17:43

I would do the testing. At the end of the day it's an invasive testing, you just need to follow some rules and drink a sweet juice.

I always had it due to risk factors, never had GD but you never know.

Original poster

NemophilistRebel · 09/12/2019 17:58

But I thought that if I do get told I have it that they just advise on a low sugar diet which I already have? So what changes can I make if I do have it?

OP posts:

R2D2abc · 09/12/2019 18:01

I have no idea, but I'm sure they'll advise you if the case. I understand you're low risk due to not having sugars, but high risk due to family history.

You'll probably not have GD but I feel they still want every person to have the testing.

Boymummy3 · 09/12/2019 18:02

It depends what your levels are on what they tell you to do. Some it's just a change in diet.. Others is medication they would also keep an eye on baby as baby can grow too big if pregnancy diabetes is present. My baby is on the large side so I had to have the GTT done I don't have it though.

Sunshinegirl82 · 09/12/2019 18:23

If it's severe you will be medicated. You would also need to check your blood sugar levels throughout the day. You may also be induced early.

It really is important that you know for sure as gestational diabetes increases the risk of stillbirth.

I had the GTT in both pregnancies and found it no bother at all. Had a drink, read my book for a couple of hours, blood test then home! I felt absolutely fine.

Mylittlerainbow · 09/12/2019 18:30

I had mine last week for the same reason (thanks Dad!) and if anything it's just an excuse to sit and read a book for a couple of hours with no other responsibilities, and then grab something terribly unhealthy to eat once it's all done because you're starving by that point!

My test came back negative, and mint chocolate has been my craving, so I'm sure you have nothing to worry about

user1471549213 · 09/12/2019 18:56

I've had it done twice this pregnancy. My dad has type 2. I don't have it.

If you get diagnosed then you mate have to test yourself regularly during the day, be on medication, be monitored as it can cause big babies so there can be complications. I think you would be unwise to not have it. It's not.down to your own diet whether you have it so until you're tested you don't know

hauntedvagina · 09/12/2019 19:08

I have no family history of diabetes, I'm relatively healthy, exercise, and I was told I had GD at around 36 weeks.

Take the test.

Nanmumandmidwife · 09/12/2019 20:37

There appears to be a familial tendency to developing diabetes. Obviously this is influenced by factors such as your diet, but many people do develop diabetes even though they have a diet containing very little apparent sugar. You body converts carbs to sugar, so it is much broader than just removing sugar from your food choices.
Diabetes can take many years to become evident. Often pregnancy shows up people who were already heading that way.
We believe it is an important diagnosis both for your baby and for you in the longer term.
Is there a reason why you don't want it, or are you just unconvinced that it is relevant for you?

Original poster

NemophilistRebel · 09/12/2019 20:45

I was just unconvinced is relevant

I don’t like taking up any time of the nhs unnecessarily but will do now as the responses on here make sense as I didn’t realise you could have it without having an unhealthy diet

OP posts:

jenn88 · 09/12/2019 20:49

I was ref for a GTT test because my paternal father is diabetic!
Like a prev poster said it's not intrusive at all and working in health care myself I trust I am being looked after and following the advice of other health care providers is sensible!
I actually do not have diabetes and getting such a clear and positive result is very reassuring!
They also combined the test with my anti d injection as I have RHneg blood and a full blood count that I would have been having anyway!

LifeIsAnArt · 09/12/2019 21:13

The diabetic midwife and doctor told me that whether you have GD or not has nothing to do with your diet during pregnancy, it's your body's ability to produce enough insulin to cope with the demands of pregnancy.

My parents don't have GD but one of the grandparents has it, I have a very low BMI and eat healthily, yet I developed GD during this pregnancy. I nearly didn't take the test but glad I did. Better safe than sorry I say!

Pretendbookworm · 09/12/2019 22:09

It’s a myth that only fat or unhealthy people get diabetes. It puts you more at risk for a certain type though.

Also, if you have GD you will have to be much stricter than “normal” diabetics. You have to severely limit the carbs you eat too - my friend couldn’t even eat a baked potato or a slice of toast because it would shoot her blood sugar up higher than the hospital liked. When she was first diagnosed she had to stay in hospital on a pump for a few days before they managed to get it under control. And she was a normal weight, had previous pregnancies which were negative for GD.

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