f/u to my 3 hr GTT

mbh10220

So I mentioned a couple days ago that I got to skip the 1 hour test because of my excess fluid and the size of our LO.  Yesterday morning I went in for the 3 hour test and it actually wasn't as bad as I had anticipated.  The orange drink was gross for sure- kind of like flat, orange soda- but that was the only really bad part.

But it turns out my 2 hour blood-draw came back elevated, so now I have to meet with the nutritionist and discuss managing my blood sugar.  I can't believe this.  I am a VERY healthy eater: whole foods, lean meat, lots of fruit and veggies- I just can't figure out how the heck I can have GD!!  =[  I guess I don't understand gestational diabetes at all...hopefully if I can just up my exercise it will keep my blood sugar down.

But in the back of my mind I'm wondering, if only ONE of the four blood draws came back elevated, could that really be the culprit for my excess fluid and rapidly growing baby??  I'm stressed.  =[

pawcall

Hm, good question.  I though it had to be two of the four to be diagnosed with GD.  Worth inquiring about when you meet the nutritionist.

mbh10220

cdobry01:

Hm, good question.  I though it had to be two of the four to be diagnosed with GD.  Worth inquiring about when you meet the nutritionist.

Ahh, well thats good to know.  When I spoke with the nurse on the phone she didn't SAY that I had GD, just that some one of my numbers was elevated.  I just assumed this meant I have GD.  Definitely will get more info when I meet with the nutritionist.

Thanks!

houndbaby

I failed my 3 hr with ds because my fasting number was too high, I passed all three of the draws after that.

mbh10220

houndbaby:

I failed my 3 hr with ds because my fasting number was too high, I passed all three of the draws after that.

Did they diagnose you with GD with just that one elevated number?  Now I really wish I had asked this specifically when I spoke with the nurse.

houndbaby

mbh10220:

houndbaby:

I failed my 3 hr with ds because my fasting number was too high, I passed all three of the draws after that.

Did they diagnose you with GD with just that one elevated number?  Now I really wish I had asked this specifically when I spoke with the nurse.

Yes, and then I went to testing my blood sugars 4 times a day and being on the diet, and my fasting numbers continued to be too high. This pregnancy I failed my 1 hr and then chose to go on the diet and check my sugars 4 times a day because I assumed my fasting numbers would be too high, and just like last pregnancy I can't control my fasting numbers without meds but I can control all of my other numbers just fine.

When you meet with the diabetic nutritionist they should sit down and go over all of your numbers with you from the test and explain why it is that you failed.

mbh10220

houndbaby:

mbh10220:

houndbaby:

I failed my 3 hr with ds because my fasting number was too high, I passed all three of the draws after that.

Did they diagnose you with GD with just that one elevated number?  Now I really wish I had asked this specifically when I spoke with the nurse.

Yes, and then I went to testing my blood sugars 4 times a day and being on the diet, and my fasting numbers continued to be too high. This pregnancy I failed my 1 hr and then chose to go on the diet and check my sugars 4 times a day because I assumed my fasting numbers would be too high, and just like last pregnancy I can't control my fasting numbers without meds but I can control all of my other numbers just fine.

When you meet with the diabetic nutritionist they should sit down and go over all of your numbers with you from the test and explain why it is that you failed.

Ok, thank you so much for this info! 

honey740

I was under the impression that 2 of the draws had to exceed the levels for you to have a GD dx. Definitely clarify with your Dr. though. If they aren't handing you a glucose meter and a journal, it's a good sign that you just need to watch your diet.

jfayerman

Also, you can lead a perfectly healthy lifestyle and still get diagnosed with GD. Your placenta is causing you to become insulin-resistant. The diagnosis is not reserved for those who are overweight or poor eaters.

I read that some doctors are actually diagnosing with just one elevated number on the 3-hour and not two. It is probably better to treat than not treat when there is any doubt. Trust me, the finger pricking and diet are not all that bad! Plus, if you were eating healthy before, you may not need to change that much at all other than limiting your carbs.

Good luck!!

mbh10220

honey740:

I was under the impression that 2 of the draws had to exceed the levels for you to have a GD dx. Definitely clarify with your Dr. though. If they aren't handing you a glucose meter and a journal, it's a good sign that you just need to watch your diet.

Yeah, will definitely clarify with my dr and with the nutritionist.  I couldn't get in to see the nutritionist until Monday afternoon but the person I talked to mentioned something about me keeping track of my blood sugar daily, so I'm thinking I'll be getting a glucose meter with I meet with her...

honey740

mbh10220:

honey740:

I was under the impression that 2 of the draws had to exceed the levels for you to have a GD dx. Definitely clarify with your Dr. though. If they aren't handing you a glucose meter and a journal, it's a good sign that you just need to watch your diet.

Yeah, will definitely clarify with my dr and with the nutritionist.  I couldn't get in to see the nutritionist until Monday afternoon but the person I talked to mentioned something about me keeping track of my blood sugar daily, so I'm thinking I'll be getting a glucose meter with I meet with her...

:-( oh well.... like I said a few times, my sister was 105lbs not pregnant, ate very healthy, all whole foods, lots of protein and she still got GD. Don't feel like you failed! I have friends that eat crap all the time and during pg and they didn't get GD. 

I am certain I will be joining you in a few weeks so we can all commiserate about how everyone gets to eat stuffing and mashed potatoes for thanksgiving and we're stuck with veggies :-( 

mbh10220

honey740:

mbh10220:

honey740:

I was under the impression that 2 of the draws had to exceed the levels for you to have a GD dx. Definitely clarify with your Dr. though. If they aren't handing you a glucose meter and a journal, it's a good sign that you just need to watch your diet.

Yeah, will definitely clarify with my dr and with the nutritionist.  I couldn't get in to see the nutritionist until Monday afternoon but the person I talked to mentioned something about me keeping track of my blood sugar daily, so I'm thinking I'll be getting a glucose meter with I meet with her...

:-( oh well.... like I said a few times, my sister was 105lbs not pregnant, ate very healthy, all whole foods, lots of protein and she still got GD. Don't feel like you failed! I have friends that eat crap all the time and during pg and they didn't get GD. 

I am certain I will be joining you in a few weeks so we can all commiserate about how everyone gets to eat stuffing and mashed potatoes for thanksgiving and we're stuck with veggies :-( 

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!  Prick my fingers all you want, and make me work out more, and tell me I can't drink hot chocolate or eat bacon, but PLEASE don't take away my mashed potatoes!!!!!  *sob*

mbh10220

jfayerman:

Also, you can lead a perfectly healthy lifestyle and still get diagnosed with GD. Your placenta is causing you to become insulin-resistant. The diagnosis is not reserved for those who are overweight or poor eaters.

I read that some doctors are actually diagnosing with just one elevated number on the 3-hour and not two. It is probably better to treat than not treat when there is any doubt. Trust me, the finger pricking and diet are not all that bad! Plus, if you were eating healthy before, you may not need to change that much at all other than limiting your carbs.

Good luck!!

Definitely!  I don't want any complications from this so I am happy to be doing all this even just in case.  =]  The carbs are a problem for sure...I'm a carboholic and I'm not ashamed to admit it.  And if I seriously have to cut them out, I'm going to be one cranky pregnant lady and will add that to the list of "things I want after this baby is born" along with some good sushi, a Switchback beer, and some ceviche.  LOL  =D

honey740

When my sister gave birth in July, I brought all her favorite candy to the hospital, including a 3lb bag of Haribo Gold gummy bears. Her husband is a health guru so he was all pissy with me but I told her to eat all the candy she wanted :-)

mbh10220

honey740:

When my sister gave birth in July, I brought all her favorite candy to the hospital, including a 3lb bag of Haribo Gold gummy bears. Her husband is a health guru so he was all pissy with me but I told her to eat all the candy she wanted :-)

NICE!!  =D

ladipale

My docs office just switched to the new GTT test standard of only doing the 2 hour, and told me the new standard is if any numbers are elevated, they treat you for GD. Too many big babies, linked to obesity in later life. So much better to be treated now. And I barely based the 2 hour, doc told me to really be careful with what I eat (I eat really healthy too!)