Diagnosed with gestation diabetes. Was the test done right?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am 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 hours test and was told to eat sugar treats and sugar drinks three days before my test and then to fast on the day of the test. I failed all the three tests. I have been told that I was obviously going to have sugar in my system, so that is why it came out high. Was the test done right?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Let me make a few corrections in the methods done. I have not heard of the methods done.

Gestational diabetes is caused by the hormones of the pregnancy, which appears in pregnancy only after 26 to 28 weeks, the time when pregnancy hormones are at the highest level. So, any diabetes occurring before 28 weeks is called pregestational diabetes. It is important to know because in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by 28 weeks the baby is fully formed and abnormal sugars cannot lead to any abnormalities in babies other than an increase in birth weight and amniotic fluid. But, if the sugar rises early as in your case (before 28 weeks) this can affect the normal growth of baby's tissue. You will need to be put on Insulin to correct sugar before any damage is done. We do not need to give such challenges in pregnancy to know that your sugar level is high.

I would suggest you undergo HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) as this checks your blood sugar level of last three months. Your level should be less than 6.5 %. If it is more than this, then you need to be treated with Insulin. Have fasting blood sugar at the morning after the overnight fast of 8 hours and postprandial sugar after 2 hours of food. These two blood levels will help you decide the doses of Insulin. Also, you can take a second opinion from another doctor.

Thank you.