Having a GTT? What is it?

[SockEatersMummy]

Hiya,
My old midwife thhought I was fine but now have new mw and she wants me to have a GTT because my BMI is 30. I usually am reasonably slim but only had DC1 10months ago and still was carrying about 3/4ths of my baby weight when I unexpectedly got pg again.
What is involved in the GTT? I've had a letter to tell me to go to the hospital but nothing other than that. What are the possible outcomes of the GTT?
TIA

it's pointless IMO!

you have to fast overnight, then they give you a big glucose drink, then they do a blood test 2 hours later.

they tried to get me to have one for my last 2 pregnancies, despite me not meeting any of the risks for GD.

It's a glucose tolerance test to find out whether you are at risk of diabetes. I am surprised that a BMI of 30 alone is considered enough of a risk factor to merit one, but different hospitals have different policies.

Basically you have to fast for a certain period (your letter should have told you that - did it say to avoid food and drinks other than water before the test?) then you have to drink a glucose drink and they measure your blood sugar to check that your body is processing the glucose ok.

Did your letter not explain this?

Maybe thats not what the appointment is for, I've just re-read the letter and it didn't tell me to fast. The mw said that is what the appointment would be for though. Might they have me in to discus things and then book the actual test later maybe?

DC1 was 8lb2, so really not massive but mw thinks that combined with a BMI of 30 it merits the GTT...

Oo strange. It might be a slightly different test - there are other tests (glucose challenge or just a random blood sugar test) which look at glucose levels but don't require fasting. But I think (not an expert) that a true GTT always requires fasting beforehand.

But if I were you I would call and find out - you don't want to turn up and find out that they thought your MW had instructed you to fast - it will make the test pointless.

Assuming it is the GTT (I'll call and check) what will be the outcomes from it?

Is it a 'yes you have diabetes' or a 'you have an increased risk of diabetes' IYSWIM?

If there is something wrong with me I'll do everything I can for the bump, but if its just a risk of something I don't want to be medicated or anything.

You'll get a letter saying your blood sugar is either:

normal (in which case no worries and they'll probably let it drop unless there are other concerns)
or high (in which case it will depend how high but they usually try to control it by diet first)
or borderline (in which case they'll probably keep an eye on you and repeat the test).

I'm not a medic though, that's just what's happened to friends of mine.

Thanks, Iknow what to expect now at least. I'll call the hospital and see what is going on. Thanks!

Its not necessarily pointless - 2 of my friend had GD - was picked up by GTT, and not from sugar in urine. There are lots of different risk factors - eg slightly raised BMI, family history type 2 diabetes, PCOS, history larger babies (8lbs is not big though).

Unlikely they would want to medicate - if your blood sugar is high likely they'll recommend watching your diet.

I was told to fast from 12 hours before test. One blood test, big sugar drink and them another test 2 hours later.

There is also a "lite" version of the test, not sure what that involves.... although do clarify with the midwife about the fasting.

I have been told that I will have a blood test at 28 weeks (at a MW app) and to not eat 2 hours before this. I got the impression that it was standard for everyone. Is anyone else having this glucose test?

I had a GTT this morning, the glucose drink was disgusting! I had to fast from 10pm the night before and not allowed anything until after the second blood test at 10am

Boulders - I never had that happen last time I was pregnant and there has been no mention of it this time round, not at a mw appointment, just this GTT at the hospital (if thats what it is)

Jelly Not looking forward to it, I'm still having bad morning sickness first things in the morning and only good bowl of cereal gets me through so getting to 10am with no food would be awful!!