AIBU to refuse my glucose tolerance test?

[Smurftastic]

Got a letter few days ago inviting me for the glucose tolerance test, as one of my parents has type 2 diabetes (diagnosed at older age, with other co-existing conditions).

AIBU to not go?! I had it in my first pregnancy and didn't have GD. The letter has no details whatsoever, but assuming it's like the regular one it'll mean staying in the hospital for at least 2.5 hours in a crowded waiting area. I don't feel particularly safe doing this!

I'd consider going for this test if they let me wait in my car and not in the waiting room, or alternatively I'd just buy some lucozade and blood sugar test from amazon for £10 and do it myself. Am I crazy thinking of doing it like this?

Sorry I'm a bit distressed as the provided contact number to ask for more information is no use and I was told that's not the right number and they have no clue. I double checked, this number is twice on my letter!

I didn't have GD in my 1st pregnancy but did in my 2nd. Picked up by routine GTT due to family history. Mine was pre covid but I know my local trust have changed it to a 2 appointment thing but not sure what they consist of. It's a pain in the arse but worth it I think

Honestly you can refuse any test during pregnancy. Our maternity hospital is like a battery for chickens , we are crammed in waiting around for hours on end. I left without blood tests today as I was there 2 and a half hours and couldn't stick the mask and the heat any more.

I had my glucose test about 3 weeks ago and there were 5 of us sat distantly in a room while waiting for the second blood test (on comfy chairs too).

Check if you can wait outside or in your car but I know they don't really want you walking around too much as you burn the sugar off and makes the reading inaccurate.

I have GD and I'm glad I was told so I can monitor it. You have extra scans to check on baby too. I'd rather know if I had it as it can be devastating if untreated.

@romdowa I don't really want to refuse it, I'm just baffled at complete lack of information on my letter and completely useless contact number!

Even if it was the 'standard' GTT test I'm sure it had an instruction attached.

My hospital wasn't that great with social distancing, they also forgot to call me for my whooping cough vaccination and I waited additional 30 minutes for no reason.

I would check with them because I was like you and was putting it off cos of the wait but when I spoke to a midwife they said due to covid there was no 2 hour wait, just a fasting test

I think it would be irresponsible not to have it. I’m in the same situation as you (parent with T2, didn’t have GD in first pregnancy) and I’ve just had it done.

The waiting room was socially distanced - it’s only an hour wait, not two. And the midwifes were great about asking if people felt okay, offering water. I took of my mask for part of the wait, no one will judge you if it’s hot and you’re pregnant.

I just managed to get through and unfortunately it's the standard 2 hour wait test. They don't allow to leave the waiting room and the mask has to be worn.

I'll be declining this test.

I'll ask my midwife how accurate it would be to self test with a test kit and some lucozade, as I know that it was used in my trust before.

I’m having a GTT in a couple of weeks. I’m to go in for my first appointment, drink the drink, then sent away for 2 hours, then back in for a second appointment. No waiting in the doctors.

I was told specifically that they weren’t keeping patients in waiting rooms. I suspect that’s what’s widely being done wherever possible. Worth a call to check I’d say.

Lucozade dose not work anymore. Because of the sugar tax they lowered the sugar content. They now use a glucose syrup drink that is specifically ordered for the NHS. Lucozade will give you a worthless result.

Sorry, just saw your latest message. That’s a shame your trust are still insisting you wait in the hospital. Seems daft in these times when waiting in your car would be fine.

@Charmtaste crap

@Moominmiss apparently it's in case you get unwell- thing is I can barely wear my mask for 30 minutes, I'm 100% sure I'd just end up fainting.

@Smurftastic just ask for them to do it via blood test. It’s the HbA1c you need. I didn’t have GD when the first one was done by the midwife, but I had a second one done at the hospital in place of the glucose test (because covid) and that was positive.

I really wouldn’t miss it. The worst outcome is having GD without it being diagnosed, because then it’s unmanaged and that’s when it’s dangerous. The fact that you didn’t have it in your first pregnancy is no indicator that you won’t have it in this one.

I was sent away between mine, so you may not have to wait in the hospital.

I waited in the car when I had my test - went in with about 10 mins to spare. I was told not to do any 20 mile walks but otherwise they were fine. I didn't fancy waiting in a hot busy stuffy waiting room either (sometimes you can't even get a seat!)

I just confirmed it with the hospital I'd have to be waiting in the waiting room with my mask on.

I'm not a mask refuser I just don't think I'd manage to do that.

Sorry, saw your update. I still wouldn’t refuse the test. It’s not a great couple of hours, but it’s for the safety and well-being of your baby.

@Littlegoth do you think my midwife could sort it out for me? Hospital just said these are their rules and I can't just refuse having the test being done

*can refuse

A colleagues gs was very unwell at birth and looking back she thinks her dd had GD that wasn’t picked up due to her age. In her second pg it was picked up because she pushed for a test.

The hospital needs to find a way of getting you to have that test, you can’t be the only one unable to wear masks.

Lucozade dose not work anymore. Because of the sugar tax they lowered the sugar content.

This. I'm a nurse and we haven't used Lucozade in the hospital for years now. Hba1c is not an effective screening tool for GD, it has minimal diagnostic benefit in this situation.

I don't know what else to say really. I wouldn't dream of not going for such an important test but it sounds like you've made your mind up.

@Smurftastic yes definitely speak to your midwife - either your midwife or your Gp should be able to sort it, and a blood draw by the nurse at your go practice. I’ve had another hba1c since pregnancy at my docs (basic follow up) and will have another next month as they like you to have one if you’ve had GD and planning another pregnancy.

@Littlegoth thank you, I'm seeing my midwife the day after tomorrow and I'll check with her. I'm glad I called the hospital about it now as I was previously told they're not doing the 2hrs test right now. I've had to call so many number and I feel like I'm being send from pillar to post. What's worst I have no direct contact with my own midwife, just a generic community midwife number that's only open 1 hour a day in the morning and it's always busy- impossible to sort anything out.

Can you ask to do 7 days home blood glucose monitoring instead? That’s what we do now at our trust to diagnose GD.

But surely the easiest thing is to just not wear a mask in the waiting room if that’s the problem?