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How Can Gestational Diabetes During Pregnancy be Treated?
I'm 9 weeks 3 days pregnant. My doctor has diagnosed me with gestational diabetes. At my 1 hour test my levels were at 170 which was high but they told me it was low. I was scheduled for 3 hour test and was told to eat sugar treats and sugar drinks 3 days before my test then fasting the day of test. I failed all 3 test. I have been told that i was obviously going to have sugar in my system so that's why it came out high. Was the test done right or should i change my doctor?
Mon, 20 Mar 2017
Hello,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I have read your question fully and understand your concerns.
The first test which was done after 1 hour is called the glucose screening test. This test tells you how your body processes sugar. If the value is higher than 140, then that means that your body is not able to process the sugar well. This is only a screening test; it does not mean that you have gestational diabetes. But as this 1 hour result is high, you need to get a full 3 hour glucose tolerance test.
You actually do not need any previous preparation for this test. You do not need to change your diet in anyway. Women are asked to take their normal diet. Then the test is done by fasting blood test and giving a sweetened drink and taking the blood to check for sugar 1, 2 and 3 hours later. If more than 1 result out of the four results is abnormal then you have gestational diabetes.
So, in your case, your first test –glucose screening test was abnormal as your result was 170. For the glucose tolerance test you were not supposed to take extra sugary stuff 3 days prior to the test.
I would advise you to repeat the glucose tolerance test without changing your diet, take regular diet as before. Based on those reports, you can consult your doctor.
I hope this answer has helped you.
Thank you
Regards
Dr Sunita Sayammagaru
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I have read your question fully and understand your concerns.
The first test which was done after 1 hour is called the glucose screening test. This test tells you how your body processes sugar. If the value is higher than 140, then that means that your body is not able to process the sugar well. This is only a screening test; it does not mean that you have gestational diabetes. But as this 1 hour result is high, you need to get a full 3 hour glucose tolerance test.
You actually do not need any previous preparation for this test. You do not need to change your diet in anyway. Women are asked to take their normal diet. Then the test is done by fasting blood test and giving a sweetened drink and taking the blood to check for sugar 1, 2 and 3 hours later. If more than 1 result out of the four results is abnormal then you have gestational diabetes.
So, in your case, your first test –glucose screening test was abnormal as your result was 170. For the glucose tolerance test you were not supposed to take extra sugary stuff 3 days prior to the test.
I would advise you to repeat the glucose tolerance test without changing your diet, take regular diet as before. Based on those reports, you can consult your doctor.
I hope this answer has helped you.
Thank you
Regards
Dr Sunita Sayammagaru
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