July 2011 Moms
Saltina11
member
Can I (legally) say no to the 3 hour glucose test?
Saltina11
member
I just found out that I "failed" the 1 hour test. My office wants you to be under 130 and I was EXACTLY 130. I feel like that is such BS that they want me to take the test when I know a lot of other doctor's offices have the cut off at 140. I am thinking this is just a ploy for the doctor's office to make more money off me (or my insurance company) by sending me to get the 3 hour test over 1 point.
Can I tell them I opt not to take the test? Or will they call DYFUS on me? I really really REALLY don't want to subject my baby to ANOTHER sugar rush like that if it's unnecessary.
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Re: Can I (legally) say no to the 3 hour glucose test?
I don't think they can LEGALLY make you test again. But be prepared for the guilt trip they'll probably try and put you on.
Is there another doctor at the practice you can speak to for a 2nd opinion?
Id talk to them about it, get a second opinion if you want.
I cant imagine having to retake it for being that close, but I probably would for the safety & health of my baby.
I am no lawyer or law expert, but I'm pretty sure you can decline it. I read a post recently (June '11...there by mistake I think) where a woman disputed her doctor's diagnosis of her having GD because her levels were super borderline on only one of the hour interval draws if I remember correctly.
Personally, I'd ask for a re-do of the one hour since you were at the cut-off. That seems stupid they'd send you for the 3 hour for that.
They can't MAKE you take it.
I thought about opting out because I have no history of diabetes and didn't have GD with DS#1. I'm not one for unnecessary tests/procedures.
Of course. You don't legally have to get pre-natal care at all. However your doctor will, and frankly should drop you. I know its not fair his standards are lower BUT if thats what he believes she should not continue to treat you undiagnosed.
You should get a second opinion, consider a new dr.
They can't call DYFUS on you for refusing a medical test. What you might ask to do, instead, is what I did. Might you consider a 2 hour postpranidal reading instead? (2 hours after you eat lunch) . it could be a happy medium for you both. My doc didn't even make me do a 1 hour glucose (though i did anyway at work). I failed it...but she would rather have postprandial and fasting readings anyway, since she suspected my glucose tolerance was impaired.
You can refuse any medical testing you want. I would say: "I don't feel that I would benefit from a 3 hour glucose test, and would rather opt to do a 2 hour postprandial"
This basically. They can't legally make you do crap, you don't even have to go for prenatal care if for whatever reason you want opt out of it. But I'm sure they'll work ways to hype you into it (you know the bit when they try to cause mass hysteria) lol.
I can't even tell you the amount of times I wanted to tell them to screw off and just call them when I'm in labor (skip all the monotonous appts) !!
Spontaneous pregnancy #1
DD1 July 31, 2011
Trying for #2 since Oct 11
Spontaneous pregnancy #2= Ectopic #2= lost left tube
Spontaneous pregnancy #3= DD2 January 29, 2016
Spontaneous pregnancy #4= Ectopic #3
Spontaneous pregnancy #5= Baby #3 is a BOY!!!
GD doesn't really work like that though. It is obviously pregnancy induced and while you may not have had it with one pregnancy, it doesn't mean you're immune to it with subsequent pregnancies. I've known 2 people that had it with their first and not with their second and 2 that had the opposite. I passed my glucose test with flying colors the first time, and I failed this time, so I'd rather have the peace of mind.
Until they catch an elevated BP or UTI, right?
OP, get a second opinion or take the 3 hour.
Exactly. GD is related to the placenta which changes with each pregnancy. Link
I really didn't research it very much because I thought I wasn't taking it until 28 weeks. She surprised me at 25 weeks and asked if I wanted it, I was kind of caught off guard so I said yes.
I learned from my last pregnancy not to do everything they tell me just because they tell me to do it... so I question everything now and research it.
They didn't even offer it to me with #1 because they tested my urine and never saw elevated sugar levels.
I also know two ladies who didn't have it with their first, but had it with their second.
Also, Blinkinglight, aren't you tavia, too? What happened to your old screen name?
A family history of diabetes does play into it though, right?
They can't make you do anything, actually. And some places will screen you in other ways and then just offer (not automatically assume you will do) the initial 1 hour test.
This is a personal decision and if you feel comfortable after doing the research not taking the additional test, that is certainly your right. Don't let anyone else's pressure make you do something you're not comfortable with.
Just because you have high blood sugar, it does not always mean the sugar will spill over into your urine. I know several diabetics who have never had a reading of sugar in their urine. I had no sugar in my urine when my 1 hour indicated blood sugar in the 180s. Sugar leaking over into your urine indicates that it could've been caught sooner. (even having borderline high levels continuously over long periods of time.....something not always found in urine....can start causing damage to kidney's and retinas in diabetics)
Interesting. Well, like I said I didn't know much of anything the first time around so I didn't even know to ask for it. They just told me that (urine test) was why they never offered it to me.
THIS but i dont fully understand why you wouldnt want to safely find out if you have or dont have GD?
That sounds extremely strange to me that they just went off your urine. Like Miller pointed out, it's not a remotely accurate way of testing sugar levels. I have never ever heard of a doctor using this as a means to determine whether or not to test, much less only "offer" the test. Ever.
I tried to reply to your question about it being hereditary but my computer freaked out... I'm pretty certain that family history of diabetes (or lack thereof) is not considered to be a reliable indicator of GD. Two totally different things with two very different causes.
Would she be open to giving you a 2 hour test? What if you are borderline or fail the 1 hour again? Now you will be opening yourself to having to do the test 3 times to figure out what is going on.
I would just do the 3 hour and call it a day. GD (if you have it) would hurt the baby much more than a temporary sugar rush (if you didn't).
You can't really use past pregnancies or history as an indicator. In my class 8 of the 10 women were within a healthy weight range, ate well, had no family history of diabetes, and did not have GD with their first kids (1 to 3 kids).
House / Baby blog
Nothing I've read suggests family history. Family history can play into Type I and Type II diabetes but GD is a whole other ball game.
I'm of the same mindset. Yes, it's a pain in the azz. (I failed my one hour with a reading of 139, so I'm also "borderline" and going for my 3 hour on Friday-my day off!) but honestly, I'd rather give up 3 hours of my time than have an undiagnosed issue which can cause my baby breathing problems, among other issues.
BFP #3 via cancelled IUI ~ C (2lb 3oz; HELLP) 5/16/11
BFP #4 via the natural (free!) way ~ E (8lb 11oz) 9/13/12
Would your doctor be willing to meet in the middle and do a 2 hour? Less of a sugar hit for the baby but still reliable for detecting GD.
House / Baby blog
First time around I missed the cutoff by 4 points and passed the 3 hour with flying colors. If the health of my baby was an issue, whether it was one point or 100 points, I would probably do whatever my doctor wanted me to do. JMO.
Glad to hear it. Good luck!
I personally don't have a history of diabetes in my family history but I was diagnosed with GD
I'd be very frustrated that they failed you with a 130. Most clinics use a cutoff of 140, anyway.
I wouldn't "refuse" but I'd just discuss it with my OB, stating that I was comfortable with the number and didn't feel the three-hour was necessary.
I've read a number of peer-reviewed articles on GD test results and GD outcomes, and I'm 100% comfortable skipping the 3-hour test in the future if my 1-hour test was <140 or so.
ETA: If you read the scientific articles on GD, most state that screening does not help any outcomes for mother or the baby, it just increases a c-section rate. I think that GD is overblown for the most part (unless the test results are very high).
i specifically asked 2 of the 4 midwives in my practices this question and they told my type 2 in the family increases your risk.
I failed my first test at 145 with the cutting point 140 and my husband thought that was the idea of ripping off the insurance company and even was talking me into not doing it ))) well seems unfair to me i can imagine how you feel ))) I am not even gaining enough weight ...though still did the 3 hours yesterday, wasnt bad, too much glucose though, waiting for the results))) hoping for the best
Type 2 can increase your risk, but it doesn't "seal the deal". My cousin who is due the same day as me had to do her GD test early because her mom had GD (with her middle of pregnancies) and her dad has type 2. My bio dad has type 2, but they asked me a bunch of questions about his lifestyle, and they had me go at the regular time.
OP, I'm glad you are doing the test. It is a bit of a PITA, but at least you have peace of mind!
We'll miss you sweet Debbie Girl (4.21.12) and sweet Cindy Girl (8.9.12)
I think this would be the way to go.