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11-15-2012 at 8:47 AM
b0710
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Glucose Tolerance test questions

Hi ladies.  I just had my glucose tolerance test on Tuesday (the same day I turned 30 weeks).  They told me that I did not need to fast and to drink the glucose 30 minutes before my appointment time.  I literally chugged the drink at 12:45....my appointment was at 1:15.  They were running early in the office and the nurse commented that it hadn't been an hour yet, but it should be ok.  Do you know if this is the case?  My first thought was, won't that make my levels higher than they really are?

 Big surprise, yesterday I get a call that my number was high (168).  I explained to the nurse that they took my blood after only waiting 40 minutes.  My doctor still wants me to do the 3 hour test after fasting for 12 hours.  I am totally fine with being precautionary for my LO, but I'm frustrated because I feel like the test wasn't done properly.  In addition to that, now I'm worried, thinking, what if I do have GD?  I know many women get this and end up just fine, but obviously it's not something I was hoping for.  My 3 hour is scheduled for Saturday morning.  I was hoping for any thoughts about this or insight that you ladies might have.  Thanks in advance! 


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11-15-2012 at 9:03 AM
eleventhir...
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Sorry to hear your test wasn't administered correctly.

I barely passed the 1 hr this time...my OB said that the cutoff was 135 and I barely squeaked under at 133.  With DD, I failed the 1 hr and had to take the 3 hour, which I thankfully passed.  My OB said that there are a lot of women that pass the 1 hr test that pass the 3 hr easily.  Easier said than done, but try not to worry, and good luck with the 3 hr test. 


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11-15-2012 at 9:18 AM
princessbm...
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I don't have the best advice for you, but wanted to let you compare your situation with mine.  I failed the 1 hour with a 170, and went on to fail the 3 hour pretty miserably.  I'm hoping for a better result for you...I'm not sure how much difference 20 minutes would have made.

If you're worried about GD, you can look up the diet online and try to follow it over the next few days.  It's mostly about watching your carb intake and eating meals/snacks frequently and in a timely manner.  The doctor reassured me that the baby would be fine, they just didn't want him getting too big.  Good luck, I know the 3 hour is daunting but you can do it! 


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11-15-2012 at 9:20 AM
kellbell81...
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I think they really should have waited the whole hour to take your blood.  No wonder you failed, your body was 20 minutes short of the allotted time to metabolize the glucose.

I failed the one hour test also but passed the three hour test.  Good luck! 

 
11-15-2012 at 9:21 AM
Ireland05
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That is frustrating! 168 is pretty high, but it's hard to know what it would have been 20 minutes later.  If it makes you feel better, my one hour test was 183, and I passed the three hour test just fine.  My MW thinks I probably have some mild glucose regulation issues, and I have a strong family history of type II DM, but I don't have GD.  She wants me to watch my carb intake which I am not great at, but I at least try to eat some fat/protein with it instead of straight carbs which helps your body to regulate.

The three hour test is just boring, but otherwise no big deal.  I only had to fast for 8 hours (after midnight the night before), and I was super hungry by noon when the test was over, but otherwise I was just bored waiting for the next blood draw.

 



 
11-15-2012 at 9:22 AM
cjtemt921
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That sucks that the test wasnt administered properly. You don't need to fast, but you should have followed the 1 hour guideline.

Just know that the 1 hour is a screening tool, not a guarantee or a true test for gd. The three hour is the real test and although annoying, I sometimes feel that people should just be doing the 3 hour. 


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11-15-2012 at 9:25 AM
macksmom82...
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You should be fine. I am a former Labor and Delivery nurse. You were given wrong information about the glucosse tolerance test. There use to be a time when the test was a  2 hour test, you would come in fasting, drink the solution and they would take your blood after 1 hour and after 2 hours. If it was normal you could leave. Now they make everyone do the 3 hour test. You must have fasted for at least 8 hours, and they are to sample your blood every hour for 3 hours from when you finish the solution.

So good luck to you!

 
11-15-2012 at 9:35 AM
thatonered...
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Not that Im an expert, but I do draw blood and that's absolutely ridiculous that they called you early. Thats a huge no-no and Im sorry you have to go do the 3hr because it's a pain in the butt (and the arm).

It is a much more thorough test though, so even though obnoxious, I guess it's better than attempting to re-do the 1 hour. I would definitely tell your OB or the office manager what happened so they can fix that.

A busy office doesnt give them an excuse to put your care on the back-burner

Hrmph- Im lurking and dont even "know" you, but that annoys me so much that they did that to you!


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11-15-2012 at 10:02 AM
b0710
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Thanks everyone for your words of support, encouragement, and understanding.  It was the range of emotions from frustration to then worry that were driving me nuts.  I figure at least I'll know for sure after the 3 hour test and can go from there.  Thanks again (for making me not feel crazy and as worried), 

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11-15-2012 at 10:48 AM
jjr1214
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I was told that blood sugar levels typically peak around one hour after a meal. They take blood at one hour to try to catch your peak level. So while it is annoying that they didn't wait the whole time, I don't think it would have affected your results and need to take the 3 hour test.

 

Like PP said, most people who fail the one hour go on to pass the 3 hr (I think 85%?) so hopefully you will be fine! I failed my 3 hr and have been on the GD diet for a few weeks now, it's really not that bad. There are very few risks for you our your baby as long as your blood sugar stays under control, so while it is a complication and none of us want that, it's definitely not the end of the world. Good luck!  


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11-15-2012 at 11:22 AM
schnena77
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I would actually see if they would let you retake the 1 hr again before having to go through the 3 hour test - due to it being taken under an hour.  Also since you did not fast did you have any carbs shortly before taking the drink which could have added to a higher number.  I was told only to have some eggs and water for breakfast. Then 30 minutes before my appt take the drink - then they drew blood 1 hour after I had taken the drink.

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11-15-2012 at 11:29 AM
RissKay
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From what I've seen here:

Most offices/labs/doctors won't have you fast before the 1 hour, they'll just encourage you to eat a good breakfast of proteins and fewer carbs (which, if you do research, you should do anyway. Never take a test without researching it, especially while pregnant!) Some will cap the number at 140 and if your numbers are lower than that, they'll declare you without GD. However, most offices cap at 130 and will have you go on to take the 3 hour if you fail by even one point; often times if you DON'T fail by only a few points as well.

For your 3 hour, they will have you fast for 8-12 hours (I've seen some say 8 and some say 12, for me it was "Don't eat after midnight" which equaled to about 12 hours.)  They'll do a blood draw before you take the test, and then every hour afterwards, so a total of 4 times. You shouldn't drink water or anything during this time as well, so bring crackers or water to drink as soon as you're done!

All that being said; normally, I'd say to ask to re-test the one hour since it was messed up. However, a HUGE portion of people I've seen on here fail the 1 hour and pass the 3 hour anyway, so I honestly would just suck it up and go on to the 3 hour. (I've also seen people fail the one hour with over 170 and pass the 3 hour no problem.)

Good luck! 


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11-15-2012 at 11:30 AM
b0710
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schnena77:
I would actually see if they would let you retake the 1 hr again before having to go through the 3 hour test - due to it being taken under an hour.  Also since you did not fast did you have any carbs shortly before taking the drink which could have added to a higher number.  I was told only to have some eggs and water for breakfast. Then 30 minutes before my appt take the drink - then they drew blood 1 hour after I had taken the drink.

I might see if I can do that, but I know that my doctor doesn't want me to fail it again and be right back in the same boat (needing the 3 hour test).  Part of me just wants it over so I can move forward with whatever the diagnosis is.  Don't get me wrong, not excited about taking it :)  They gave me no guidelines whatsoever.  I ate Honey Nut Cheerios for breakfast, then for lunch I had a spinach salad with carrots, olives, and tomatoes, followed by 4 or 5 strawberries.  I drank the drink about an hour and a half after finishing lunch.  I'm not sure what sort of effect that would have on the results.  I think that's why I was so shocked when it didn't go well.  I didn't have any issues with DS1, so I assumed it would all be good. 


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11-15-2012 at 3:30 PM
sschwege
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schnena77:
I would actually see if they would let you retake the 1 hr again before having to go through the 3 hour test - due to it being taken under an hour.  Also since you did not fast did you have any carbs shortly before taking the drink which could have added to a higher number.  I was told only to have some eggs and water for breakfast. Then 30 minutes before my appt take the drink - then they drew blood 1 hour after I had taken the drink.

This is what I was thinking too.  I would want to try the 1 hour again.  If your numbers were off the charts high I would say 20 minutes wouldn't have made a difference, but in this case it might have. 

My office has a digital clock and they are very precise about it for reasons such as these.  How can your trust these results?!  I get it that they are not trying to say you have GD or anything, but who the heck wants to take the 3 hour if they don't have to?     


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11-15-2012 at 3:49 PM
AimeeL85
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If it were me, I would prefer to retake the 1 hour again before having to do the 3 hour.  They really should have waited the whole hour.  However, if you do the 3 hour, at least you'd know you won't need to take another one at any point.  I would ask again to redo the 1 hour.

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11-16-2012 at 2:28 AM
Shayliz
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I'd just take the three hour and get it over with. It would suck for you to retake the 1 hour, fail again, and wind up taking the 3 hour anyway.
 
11-16-2012 at 11:32 AM
nicolescha...
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I'm a nurse and just had to do the 3hr test myself.  I don't know how much of a difference the 20 minutes would have made but it is frustrating that they did not follow protocol. 

I failed my 1hr badly...196 (should have been less than 140) and I actually went on to pass (barely) my 3hr.  My MD wants me to see an endocrinologist because I have a large family history for GDM even though I did pass.  I am OK with being extra cautious.  I also have been watching my diet from the very beginning so I'm not expecting any drastic changes.  I've also checked my blood sugar several times this past week while at work and I was fine.

I wish you luck on your 3hr; try not to stress; it could increase your glucose levels!  I also walked in between my blood draws as that helps to metabolize some of the glucose! 

 

 
11-16-2012 at 1:53 PM
b0710
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nicoleschafer:

I'm a nurse and just had to do the 3hr test myself.  I don't know how much of a difference the 20 minutes would have made but it is frustrating that they did not follow protocol. 

I failed my 1hr badly...196 (should have been less than 140) and I actually went on to pass (barely) my 3hr.  My MD wants me to see an endocrinologist because I have a large family history for GDM even though I did pass.  I am OK with being extra cautious.  I also have been watching my diet from the very beginning so I'm not expecting any drastic changes.  I've also checked my blood sugar several times this past week while at work and I was fine.

I wish you luck on your 3hr; try not to stress; it could increase your glucose levels!  I also walked in between my blood draws as that helps to metabolize some of the glucose! 

 

 

Thanks for the tip!  I'm sure I won't mind walking to kill some of the time :) 


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11-16-2012 at 3:58 PM
keb582
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i did the 3 hour just last week after failing the 1 hour. my dr reviewed the results and said my first draw on the 3 hr after driking the glucose was elevated but the last 2 were fine. so i choked it up to be it takes me a little longer to process which if u were drawn after only 40 mins is prob the situation. good luck!

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