glucose test today + question for those with GD

sugarrush

My 1-hr glucose test is scheduled at 2:50pm today and im trying to limit the sugars today and am sticking to protein but im staaarving already!  Other than eggs and chicken breast, any suggestions?  Ive heard from some others that they needed to fast, but my doctors office said I dont have to.  Small side bar to this, my SIL (who is 9 weeks along) texted me yesterday in tears because her doc did a glucose test on her last week and it came back positive for GD.  She is so upset and I feel so bad for her (and maybe its slightly gotten me freaked out)... for those who have been through it, do you have any advice what helped you get through it that I can pass along to her?

cgoldian

Cheese, nuts, salad

ckred27

Im doing mine next week. I was told not to fast as well. I have had GD before and probably will have it this time, its really not the end of the world. Most women just have to limit carbs and that takes care of it. I had to go on insulin, but even that wasnt that bad, got used to it pretty quickly. Its only for a couple months.

JuneDay2913

I have GD it is really not that big of a deal, you just watch your carb and sugar intake.  I walk 1-2 miles every night.  My doctors are awesome about it, they told me that I can still have sweets and I just need to keep it in moderation I cannot sit down and eat a whole cake(which sounds amazing) but I can still fill a craving.  I have to check my sugar 4 times a day, that is the pain in the butt part it all.  The Holidays are a pain, but it is not the end of the world, I actually feel better now than I did before I got pregnant.   

snmetz7

why did they test your sister so early? history? was it just the 1hr that she failed or at 9 w they have already done both 1hr and 3hr? if she hasn't had her 3hr yet then she really just needs to relax. I failed my 1hr at 16 weeks and passed my 3 hr at 20 weeks with flying colors.

MegJ17

I wasn't supposed to fast but I did and still failed the one hour test enough not to take the three hour test. Don't stress over it.

mooncusp22

I was tested at just 10 weeks for GD since my mom (and basically everyone in her family) is diabetic. I didn't have to fast for the 1 hour test..but when I failed that I had to take the 3 hour test and failed that as well and have GD. I too cried when I found out I had it, even though I had a strong suspicion that I would have it because diabetes runs greatly in my family. At first I felt like I failed my baby and then talked to some people and I had a friend who is a endocrinologist and she made me feel better. I was in great shape before getting pregnant and ate healthy and exercised. 

I meet regularly (started weekly then bi-weekly) with my diabetes center and we tried to control it through diet. They told me how many carbs to eat with each meal and snack, and what foods were "free" (nuts, cheese, meats). I test my blood 4x a day. We tried this for a month and still couldn't get my numbers under control so I started insulin shots. I take a shot every night before bed. They say around week 27 you have a big hormone surge and it will make it even harder to control- I am already seeing some effects because the same exact things I ate before gave me good blood readings and now my blood is getting higher with eating the SAME EXACT breakfast each day. So, I have to take a separate insulin injection with meals. My doses will probably increase as I progress with the pregnancy too.

It sucks and I feel like I am always prcking myself with needles. However, it is what is best for me and the baby. The plus side is that it controls my eating. So many times I am out and about and will drive past a dunkin donuts or be out shopping and want an Auntie Annies pretzel...but I don't because I can't. So, I believe it has prevented me from gaining more weight then I probably could have!! 

mooncusp22

PS- I am always advised to count my CARBS rather then my SUGARS. Thought this was weird, but they kind of going hand and hand but that is that is what I am told to watch for the most. Like I can't pig out on sugar free candy or cookies because the carb count is high.

sugarrush

snmetz7 said:

why did they test your sister so early? history? was it just the 1hr that she failed or at 9 w they have already done both 1hr and 3hr? if she hasn't had her 3hr yet then she really just needs to relax. I failed my 1hr at 16 weeks and passed my 3 hr at 20 weeks with flying colors.

She did a 2 hour test.  From the sounds of it, IMO, her doctor is a total douchenugget.  Her doc tested her right off cuff because she is a little bit overweight (her doc went as far as calling her obese at her first OB appt and that she needs to start exercising a lot... and if her doc calls her obese, than I seriously must be morbidly obese) and her doc tested her bc her dad has diabetes.  That was the reasons she told me.  My dad also had diabetes but I havent been tested for anything up until this point.  When her doc's office called her, they just left her a short voicemail "yep you have GD, call us back when you can"... and then they didnt call her back for a day.  WTF?   I told her she needs to switch docs.

sugarrush

@mooncusp22 thanks for sharing!!  My SIL told me they already set her up with a dietitian and that she'll be having to test 4x per day as well.  I hope things go well for you and things remain in your control as much as possible!!

Rrrrrachel

Being overweight (obese is a clinical term linked to a specific bmi range, not a moral judgement) and a family history of diabetes is a solid reason to test early. I tested early and got an a1c because my sister has gd.

Fwiw my sister was told true gd doesn't really show up until 24 weeks or so and before then it's more likely a different underlying issue, like type 2 diabetes.

sugarrush

Rrrrrachel said:

Being overweight (obese is a clinical term linked to a specific bmi range, not a moral judgement) 

Agreed but there is also a social stigma attached with it that can really negatively affect someone emotionally.  And that is where I think better "bedside manner" could be implemented, but this topic is subjective I guess.  

Momof8inSC

GD bc of twins. I'm a healthy weight and worked out 6/wk before pgcy (I'm a team Beachbody coach). I do have PCOS and that's a factor bc I have insulin resistance though well managed w Metformin. My MFM said I'd have GD no matter what. He wasn't joking. Even when I don't eat, my BS is high. So now I'm still on Metformin and now on insulin twice daily. I'm managing extremely well and eating healthy. So mine is from twins and something to do w the placentas.
Fun! Oh, with my singletons, before a GD test, I ate a green/Granny Smith apple and peanuts. Always passed good luck!

Rrrrrachel

I get that being called obese by a dr stings. I've been there. But it doesn't mean your dr is bad or is doing anything wrong.

sugarrush

Rrrrrachel said:

I get that being called obese by a dr stings. I've been there. But it doesn't mean your dr is bad or is doing anything wrong.

I guess you would just had to have heard the way she explained it, with tone.  If I dont like a way a doctor is talking to me and it makes me uncomfortable, id find someone else. 

Rrrrrachel

Sure. If a dr makes me uncomfortable I find someone else, too. Even if it's for seemingly no good reason. But from what you've said here it sounds like she's getting quality care. That was all I was initially pointing out.

kelbel2440

I don't see any reason to hange what you normally eat. They are gonna pound you with sugar when ya get there and hen see how your body takes care of it. Plus I would think I would rather know if my current firth is causing higher sugars than normal rather than try to cheat the system and limit my sugar/carb intake for a couple days.

I will say however, I wasn't thinking scheduling mine so shortly after the holidays! Especially since everyone is bringing leftover sweets to work.

Mariposa1616

I enjoyed reading this discussion, I'm grateful because I failed my 3 hr. Glucose test last week. Right now I'm advised to watch my diet & journal my BS 4x a day. I'm praying the baby stays healthy at all cost & that she doesn't get too big & I have a vaginal birth.

maelic

I'm going in for my 1hr test on the 6th and the doctor told me not to fast. She said to not have "pancakes with syrup for breakfast" but otherwise just eat as normal. My SIL had to fast for her 1hr test, though, different offices have different standards apparently. She also had to drink a whole bottle of the stuff, I'm only getting a glass.

fourthnlast

I have straight up Diabetes, so I don't have to do the GD test, but I have a certain number of carbs to eat at each meal and snack. For breakfast and snacks, I can have 1-2 carbs (basically 15-30 grams) and for lunch and dinner, I can have 3-4 (45-60 grams). I have been doing this since I was 11 weeks, and not gonna lie, it SUCKS. I hate having to calculate carb grams, I hate having to stick my finger 8 times a day and the amount of insulin I'm taking is insane. 

riffrandell

I foind out I have GD on Christmas Eve, which was no fun, so I understand howy your SIL feels. I failed the the 1-hr by about 30 points and then the 2nd and 3rd parts of the 3-hr. I don't eat a lot of sweets or carbs in general, and I don't eat consistently throughout the day. That is what I just learned is the biggest problem as my levels were not steady throughout the day. My main meal has always been a bigger dinner, and just little snacks throughout the day instead of little snacks + real breakfasts, lunches and dinner. So far, so good.Though it is a big lifestyle adjustment, and I feel I am constantly planning what I eat and trying to add carbs / whole grains to my diet, it is not a big deal at all. For the past few days I have tested myself 4 times a day and so far so good on the numbers. So I learned it can be very disappointing to get the news at first, but with some persistence and re-adjustmtment it can be managed. Hang in there!