Blood sugar- how high is too high?

[Goddess3_2005]

For GD how high of a blood sugar reading is too high and needs to be addressed?

[Ironica]

Different care providers use different numbers. I don't think that a single high reading is a problem; if your readings are routinely high, then you may need to take extra measures (which, in your case, probably means meds :-/).

I think that my current care provider would be concerned if my fasting BG was routinely above 110-120, and/or my 1-hour postprandials were routinely over 150-160. One of those every so often isn't cause for alarm, though.

Who knows what the freak-out point would have been on my previous care providers, though... they probably would have already referred me for meds based on my fasting numbers (which are generally around 100, and that doesn't concern my current provider in the slightest).

[Goddess3_2005]

I am testing 174 after 3.5 hours after eating. I'm just worried when its this high so long after eating.

[peacelovingmama]

My fasting number (overnight) was supposed to be under 99, one hour after a meal it needed to be under 140 and 2 hours after the meal, 120 or lower.

[mamadonna]

I would say 174 3.5 hours after eating is pretty high and may be reason for concern. Are you consistently testing that high?

In terms of regular monitoring, the standard of care for gd is usually pretty strict. I, for example, try to keep my numbers pretty low (below 95 for fasting and below 130 1 hour after meals), but I regularly hear that numbers below 150 are not of a real concern. Consistent numbers in the 150s or above are more likely to be worrisome.

[Goddess3_2005]

Its only the 3rd time in a month that I have tested this high. I am pretty sure its from something I ate. I'm mostly concerned about the immediate effects and issues. YKWIM?:treehugger:

[rabrog]

What did you eat is the first question. :eat:

Then yes, that is a pretty high reading. My doc's guidelines are 100 or lower for fasting and under 140 for two hours. My mom (an RN) says they don't even do 2 hours anymore, just focus on the two hour.

Jenn

[maybebaby]

Just wanted to add, I'd found the post meal numbers were the easiest to control whereas fasting was harder to change. So it really could have been just something you ate (high carb? simple carbs? no protein?)...it's more important to watch it over time.

My mw's were okay with 1 hours less than 140, fastings under 120...from what I'd read and heard, as long as your numbers don't get into true diabetes range, you're usually okay. Sure, it's still good to have fastings below 100, but I wouldn't do something like insulin unless they were above 120 consistently. Even the backup OB and MW were okay with it, though they initially wanted to talk insulin. After we talked research, they were fine with my not doing it :wink

As far as problems from a couple of high readings, I definitely wouldn't sweat it. Most of the real problems from diabetes and pregnancy are a result of high numbers in the first trimester. That's when the damage can be done..and usually by diabetes type numbers, not just a few elevated readings. And true gestational diabetes usually doesn't show itself until in the 2nd trimester. If you're having high readings in your first tri, usually that points to preexisting insulin resistance at least and type II diabetes at worst. If you're out of your first tri, and you want to just ease your mind, you can request an A1C that tells you, on average, what your numbers have been over the past few mos. After the first tri, continued high numbers can contribute to macrosomia but I hadn't found much research to indicate there are more risks than that really. Unfortunately, there isn't that much research done on gestational diabetes, lots of the scary things you hear are based on risks moms with typical diabetes face, not just gestational diabetes.

Good luck ~ keep watching it and you'll be fine as long as most numbers stay low :thumb

[Goddess3_2005]

What did you eat is the first question. :eat:


:Sheepish::2whistle::bag: Ummm......

A brownie, it was very small like 2 inches square and I thought (Ok I rationalized it, because I really knew it wasn't ok) if I put peanut butter on it it would help it metabolize better.:laugh:

So yeah I knew better, and freaked out when my BS wouldn't come down. It did come down though, 6 hours later! After drinking 2 cups of cinnamon tea and shoveling snow.:innocent

I ended up at 110 at bed time, but strangely I tested at 110 when I woke up too.....

[Mommal]

I highly recommend reading through the information on this website: http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/gd/gd_index.html In particular, I recommend clicking on the link "Gestational Diabetes: The Numbers Game" (http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/gd/gd_numbers.htm)

This site gives the best online rundown of GD that I have ever seen.

Oh- and I was told that my fasting numbers should be under 95, and my postprandial numbers should be under 120 two hours after the start of a meal. HTH!

[Mommal]

Sorry- double post!