Glucose Tolerance Test

[Christine&men]

So, I have been reading up on it, this is my third pregnancy and last time they almost declared me diabetic... Yuck...

What are the numbers you (or your doc/midwife/doula/etc) go by?

From the Endocrine Web I got
fasting under 105, 1 h under 190, 2 h under 165 an 3 hours under 145

From the NIH
fasting under 95, 1h under 180, 2h under 155 and 3 hours under 140

If I remembr correctly they thought me diabetic because I had a 1 hour test in the 140's.

Obviously I would like to go with the Endocrine Web website numbers but I don't know what sort of a standing I have. Also, my second was rather heavy (8 pounds 12 oz), but I gained a ton of weight! This time, I am doing much better and my actiity level is higher, though no, I don't do any sports.

Now, would sneaking out of the office and walking up and down the stairs help digesting all that sugar crap? I do have my little daughter with me and they can't chain me to the chair for an hour. Or should I go for a brisk walk prior to entering the office? What do you think...

Thanks.

[RedOakMomma]

I know that walking briskly will help. Do a little digging...drinking water might help or not help--I can't remember. Whatever you do, behave more naturally (walking, moving, etc.)...your numbers will be more accurate.

[RedOakMomma]

You could also ask about the jellybean substitute. My OB, who had me drink the liquid last time, said that a study came out saying 18 Brachs jellybeans are the sugar equivalent of the glucosa drink, and that you'll get the same results.

...this time he said to eat 18 jellybeans, then come in an hour later for a blood draw. He didn't give me any movement restrictions this time, either.

[Sharlla]

I didn't do this test with any of my pregnancies. They can't make you do it.

[lunarlady]

I told my OB I didn't want to do the high fructose corn syrup drink because I NEVER eat that crap. (Okay, I'll admit I do sometimes, but I was embellishing for effect). He told me I could do the "pancake breakfast test" instead.

Basically I'll go in for the fasting blood draw, then go out to IHOP for a nice, big, syrup and pancake breakfast (my OB reccomended the rooty tooty fruity thing with fruit and whipped cream too). Plenty of carbs, and some natural sugars. Then I come back after and they do the draw to see how high I spiked. That seemed fine because it was a more natural thing to do. And it was a great excuse to go out, becuase I never eat out. So I'm won over. I'll be doing the test in a couple weeks.

I don't really know what #'s they go by, but he did say that if it was too high they would want to do the longer test where they see how quickly your system clears a measured dose. But since I'm low risk anyway, I'll cross that bridge when and if I have to.

[BarnMomma]

I despise this test. And that crap they give you to drink is the worst cocktail of ingredients I've ever seen. HFCS, food coloring, sodium benzonate...UGH!

I went off at the lab this time around because they refused to let me do the food version even though my midwife OK'd it. I was nearly in tears as I drank this stuff thinking about my poor baby being exposed to all that junk. I told DH that I will NOT be doing this test if we have a 3rd child one day.

[Christine&men]

I have dug up my diabetes testing supply (got it for kid numbeer two) and am going to voluntarily check myself for a week. And if the numbers are fine and the test not so good I have something to show them...

I know, the crap is vile.

Ever heard of Hansen Natural Soda! Just love it!

Gotta have something sinful every once in a while

[mediumcrunch]

my current doc uses 140 as a cut-off for the 1 hr GTT.
I believe most of my previous HCP's used 130.

[violet_]

I told mine I didn't want to drink the 50g of sugar, and she said ok I can do fasting and then a 2 hours after food one, which is great, except she wants me to do THREE of each. So 6 tests. Seems excessive, but I suppose I'll do it.

[graceomalley]

Originally Posted by Christine&men

So, I have been reading up on it, this is my third pregnancy and last time they almost declared me diabetic... Yuck...

What are the numbers you (or your doc/midwife/doula/etc) go by?

From the Endocrine Web I got
fasting under 105, 1 h under 190, 2 h under 165 an 3 hours under 145

From the NIH
fasting under 95, 1h under 180, 2h under 155 and 3 hours under 140

If I remembr correctly they thought me diabetic because I had a 1 hour test in the 140's.

Obviously I would like to go with the Endocrine Web website numbers but I don't know what sort of a standing I have. Also, my second was rather heavy (8 pounds 12 oz), but I gained a ton of weight! This time, I am doing much better and my actiity level is higher, though no, I don't do any sports.

Now, would sneaking out of the office and walking up and down the stairs help digesting all that sugar crap? I do have my little daughter with me and they can't chain me to the chair for an hour. Or should I go for a brisk walk prior to entering the office? What do you think...

Thanks.

It really depends what your goal is. I understand completely that lots of people don't want to drink that rubbish and I think it's great that many doctors are now more willing to compromise.

But if there's a history of high numbers and the possibility that you may have GD and you're looking to influence the numbers or skip the test entirely so that you don't get the diagnosis, I think it can be risky. Even skipping the test then doing your own low carb diet isn't as effective as working with the Dr in GD cases. It can still lead to a bigger baby, which can then impact on your birthing choices and lead to problems with the baby (sugar levels, which can mean that the baby may not be with you after birth).

I think that since there's concern with possible borderline numbers it would be best to find a Dr who will listen to your concerns and is willing to do an alternative test (which I believe gives a more realistic reading than the drink).

[mummy marja]

I had the same 'almost' diagnosis with my 2nd pregnancy, and was worried about this one. From the beginning of this pregnancy, I cut out almost all sugar, including honey and other natural sugars. I would have some fruit occasionally but made sure I ate protein with it, and always ate protein with my carbs. I have to say that I felt absolutely wonderful, had a lot of energy and my immune system was very strong. The night before my test (I did the 3 hour) I had a high-protein snack then went in the next morning. I did the test as I was told ( I wasn't told not to drink water, and I did have a little bit but not much) and passed easily! So it is possible. I agree with the pp who said that if you DO have an issue with glucose, you'd want to know for your baby's sake.

[WaitingForKiddos]

The numbers really depends on your health care provider.

My midwife and endo wanted my fasting below 80 and my 1 hr under 130. If I don't drink62 oz. of fruit juice (which I was doing) every day I can meet those numbers fine without controling any carbs in my food.

Other numbers I've heard of is under 120 for fasting and 190 for 1 hr.

My endo told me that the ACOG is going to soon change their stance on desired numbers from the higher end down to the 80-90 fasting 130-150 1 hr. He said that it's due to the flack from the US high section rate. Who knows.



Oh and when you do it, do your normal activity during that one hour wait. Not many people eat 50 carbs and just sit for an hour.

[butterflies]

It's great to hear that alternatives to the horrible glucose drink are becoming more acceptable. I've passed with flying colors in the past but with ds I felt so incredibly sick afterward. I couldn't even drive home. I ended up calling dh and we met at a nearby shopping center, had a decent meal and finally drove home later when I was feeling a bit better. I'll ask about other options this time.

[MyFullHouse]

It's been over 3 years since I've done it, but I did the breakfast test with my last two babies, and I'll be doing it again.

(I don't remember the exact amts., but it included toast, egg, juice and coffee.)

The second time I did it, my mw instructed me to fudge the timing, knowing the lab I was going to use had a different opinion on the breakfast test.