GD Glucose Tolerance Test: Do as the doc says, or as the instructions say?

[m0xxie]

Not looking forward to this, but my doctor says she is not picking on me, she says everyone has to do the 1-hour glucose tolerance test... so ok. I asked her if I could skip the glucola and eat specified things instead, and she said no way, not accurate enough. OK. But then she told me to wake up and drink the glucola on an empty stomach, then go into the lab to get my blood drawn at the one-hour mark. She also gave me a written page of instructions for the test.

When I got home, I reviewed the written instructions, and it says specifically that I should eat a high-protein breakfast the morning of the test. So, what to do? Obviously, I want the most accurate results, be they positive or negative, and I would especially like to avoid an unnecessary re-test or 8-hour version of the test, as long as everything is really fine.

I would love to get anyone's advice about this issue, or your experience around this test in general. Thanks!

[lillymonster]

I would follow the test guidelines and not your doctor. Maybe I am wrong, but I believe the place doing the testing would be more up to date on how they perform the test.

I would believe the high protein breakfast would make your test results better.

[angelpie545]

I would never drink that amount of sugar on a empty stomach-that's just asking for issues, especially while pregnant. It's a good way to pass out or get very sick to your stomach. If I were you, I'd follow the instructions given and eat a high-protein breakfast beforehand.

[lillymonster]

Originally Posted by angelpie545

I would never drink that amount of sugar on a empty stomach-that's just asking for issues, especially while pregnant. It's a good way to pass out or get very sick to your stomach. If I were you, I'd follow the instructions given and eat a high-protein breakfast beforehand.

I forgot to add my experience, but yes I was told not to eat the first time and spent most of the time in the lab with a bucket between my legs. I still had morning sickness until 26 weeks and that didn't help. Since then, I read the instructions from the local labs and both say to eat beforehand.

[Lyss]

My OB had me go take the 1-hr last week after my appointment. When I took it with the other 2 pregnancies, the OB told me empty stomach. New OB told me last week it doesn't matter for the 1-hour. I was *so glad* I had had eggs for breakfast because that glucola is so nasty.

I would call your OB and ask why she said "empty stomach" when the directions say protein breakfast, and ask if it will affect the results. I had to take the 3-hour once on an empty stomach and I could hardly keep my eyes open for the rest of the day.

[Dichotomy]

Working at an OBGYN we have our patients fast for 2 hours prior to the 1 hour glucose test.

Depending what time youre having the test, I dont see why it would be bad to eat earlier in the day...I'd likely just avoid eating in that 2 hour window.

[MamaChef]

Originally Posted by Dichotomy

Working at an OBGYN we have our patients fast for 2 hours prior to the 1 hour glucose test.

Depending what time youre having the test, I dont see why it would be bad to eat earlier in the day...I'd likely just avoid eating in that 2 hour window.

[taffywelsh]

my midwives said to drink the stuff 3 hours after eating a plate of scrambled eggs.
Actually, I flunked that test pretty badly, I think it is because I went to bed after the eggs and then to bed again after the drink. I basically slept when I should have been walking around and drinking water.
I passed the 3-hr test with great numbers!

[huggingmama]

As PP mentioned, I would eat a good, high-protein breakfast about 2 hours before the test: eggs and a piece of toast (20 g carbs or less, perhaps). I had GD with my first PG and now again with this one, BUT they tested me early (at 20 wks) due to my previous history and I passed the one-hour easily at that time by having the breakfast beforehand. And you really don't want to do the 3-hour if you don't have to. A little walk after you eat the breakfast might be good, too.

(I was re-tested later and I developed GD again at 28 weeks anyway, but I have a history of diabetes in the family.)

[Calleiah]

BTW, you dont *have* to take the test. I took it with my two previous pregnancies because I didnt know I was well within my rights to decline. As a result I was massively sick both times after taking the test because I am hypoglycemic in pregnancy. This time, I just said no. I have a small glucometer that I carry with me for when Im not feeling well and want to check my sugar.

Just wanted to throw that out there as another option. She cannot *force* you to take any test.

[~Adorkable~]

I would talk to the OB and have her explain the decrepincy between her instructions and the written ones.
Based on what she says I would go from there.

[Steady101]

Like a previous poster said, you don't have to take the test if you don't want to. My first was born in the UK and they don't even do that test there. My second was a homebirth and my midwife said it was my choice...I declined.

[etsdtm99]

i did not do the test this time - but with both my previous pregnancies I had the test done around 8am after eating a 'normal breakfast' .. it was still yhorrible both times.. shaking and puking after.. my OB 'required' it though.. she had 2 tests that she required to take on a patient.. GBS and GD.. so you can't always decline it..