Alternatives to the GTT

[georgarina]

I'm 12 weeks and just got my results back from my first appointment indicating gestational diabetes (unsurprising given I have PCOS and was borderline in my last pg).

I've been booked for a GTT and don't like the idea of putting my body and baby under the strain of a massive unhealthy sugar rush.

I already called in to ask if I can substitute the sugar water for the 50g of sugar from orange juice as I've known others to do - was told no.

I was also told some people are given the option of going on the GD diet and monitoring their blood sugar instead of doing the tests.

Has anyone else had experience of an alternative? I want to get my numbers under control, I just don't want to have to crash and spike myself with pure sugar to do it.

The strain of having GD will be far, far worse.

The test is perfectly safe. I think you are pursuing a risky course of action ignoring medical advice.

@GintyMcGinty I'm not suggesting not treating the GD - I'm seeing whether anyone pursued an alternative to the GTT. Thanks though

From my understanding, whatever you substituted it with would have to have exactly the same amount of sugar so doesn’t seem worth it?

An alternative would be to buy a blood glucose monitor and monitor your fasting and post meal levels.

The GTT won't put you or your baby under any strain, if it did it wouldn't be standard practise by the NHS. You'll have fasted for 12 hours before the test and then for a further 2 hours after so it's no great a sugar load that you might have had spread out over that time. If you're really worried just do some exercise or go for a walk afterwards to use up the remaining glucose in your blood.

@georgarina are they definitely doing it that way then at the minute? When I had mine they just did fasted bloods and sent me home. I thought I was doing the whole drink and wait for a couple of hours thing but they said they aren't doing it because of covid.

[quote DanceM1]@georgarina are they definitely doing it that way then at the minute? When I had mine they just did fasted bloods and sent me home. I thought I was doing the whole drink and wait for a couple of hours thing but they said they aren't doing it because of covid.[/quote]
Same. I was gutted, I was looking forward to sitting in the quiet reading my book for a couple of hours.

@DanceM1 yep, they called and said I had to fast, then drink the solution and stay for two hours

@Teakind thanks, I am considering doing this.

I know the orange juice or whatever else would have the same amount of sugar, but it would at least be healthier and more natural than drinking the fluorescent sugar drink.

@georgarina can you find a drink with the exact nutritional value and present that to them as an option?

It’s not florescent. I think it’s just glucose and water, sometimes with an orange flavour.

If they suspect you have it it’s important to know ASAP. I had it with my DS and am now 24 weeks pregnant again. I test my blood sugar with my monitor regularly to check it hasn’t started again.