Can a blood test instead of glucose test to detect gestational diabetes??

[DJBebe]

Hi all. Type 2 diabetes runs in my family and I was due to have the glucose test done at my 20 week app. Due to the pandemic they cancelled the glucose test and instead the midwife will take a blood sample at my 28 weeks app to send for a simple blood test.
From what I've read so far this blood test is not very accurate and there is a high chance (up ton75%) for the cases to be missed.
Has anyone had any experiences? The care my midwife/dr offer at the moment is very poor and i am beginning to lose trust in their care and advice.

I have gestational diabetes and pretty much every morning my blood is high after fasting all night so I'd imagine they can tell from your fasting bloods whether you have gd

Thank you @delbelleber. I am very worried

Bump

Is it an HbA1C that they’re planning? That gives a three month average of blood sugar levels.

I'm having this one too. I've also heard it's not as accurate. I had the gtt last time but, like yours it has been cancelled this time and amalgamated with 28 weeks appt.

Im also having this too by my midwife when im 28 weeks pregnant x

Hi - you could buy a blood glucose meter yourself and test.

https://johnbellcroyden.co.uk/products/accu-chek-performa-nano?variant=29342188961845&currency=GBP&gclid=CjwKCAjwqJ1BRBZEiwAv73uwCK0EeEpd6lOyb1qeTRn2VxWSgAw85JNNFEGGjg6quwDz1dlorO00BoCey8QAvDBwE

It's expensive but if you want to know sooner rather than later

@Delbelleber
No not always the case. My fasting bloods were normal but only after the drink did they detect that I had gestational diabetes, my bloods are not high every morning. Thankfully I can control it with diet and not with medication at the moment.

Mine too. I have it and I'm 32 weeks, bloods are 4.3- 4.7 after fasting. I had the glucose test at 28 weeks and I'm now taking metformin to control it.
I asked about the single blood test because I didn't want to wait around in the hospital for 2 hours but was told it wasn't reliable.

It's a two part blood test. A fasting blood glucose plus a Hb1AC test which tests your average blood sugar over the last three months. As gestational diabetes can develop quite quickly, if you've only developed it recently then the test may not pick it up. It's not as good as the glucose tolerance test but it's what has been recommended nationally during covid (rather than a local decision made by your hospital). As someone else has mentioned, if you think you do have GD then you can either buy your own meter or ask your midwife if you can borrow one to test from home as an alternative to the hospital blood test. You'll very quickly be able to tell of your blood sugars are going too high!

And testing your fasting blood sugar alone isn't sufficient. I have GD and (so far) my fasting blood sugars have been fine - I've only had issues with my after meal blood sugars.

Thank you all.
I am so anxious about not having the proper test done and them missing the diagnosis. I have never felt the need to drink lots of water but now i am constantly thirsty and tired. I even have to wake up better 4-7 times a night to go to the loo and during the day i might as well not leave the toilet. And i am only 18 weeks.
😥

Get yourself a blood monitor to do at home OP if you're worried. I'm happy to pm you all the info sheets given to me at the diabetes clinic, they're the same for everyone and show what levels you should be keeping to and suggestions to help you control it with diet.
Try not to worry too much at this stage too as my understanding is that the most dangerous thing about undiagnosed GD is it effecting the babies size, weight gain normally happens from 28 weeks and low blood sugar in baby after the birth so you have plenty of time to get it under control if you do have it.

I agree, buy yourself a monitor and test your levels 1 hour after meals. I have GD and was told to try and keep my levels below 7.8 after meals, so I’m guessing 8+ is considered a bit high after eating. Fasting levels should be below 5.3 according to my midwife so 6+ would be high.

Thank you all for your advice. I really appreciate it. 🥰

My GTT was booked for yesterday and cancelled! I’ve got the other blood test on Friday at the midwifes.

Having same here at 28 weeks rather than the GTT. Had the GTT in first pregnancy and was negative so hopefully same result this time with blood test.