Anyone refuse to get the glucose tolerance test? and why?

FitFighter812

Anyone refuse to get the glucose tolerance test? and why not?

dicer2

As someone dealing with GD and seeing the issues it is causing for me and my baby, I think it would be irresponsible to refuse the glucose tolerance test.

ccorso

I didn't refuse the test but because I have had weight loss surgery, they do not recommend this test.  It can cause 'dumping' - not fun or a pretty sight.  I had to test my blood sugars 3 different times during my pregnancy, like you would if you were diabetic.  If at any of those test, my numbers were off, then I would have had further monitoring and testing, etc.  But as the previous poster said - I do think it is irresponsible to refuse it and any alternative.  

SarahP15

I did the first one at 28 weeks and passed with a 105 (at my office failing is over 130).  They wanted me to redo it at my 34 week appointment because every growth ultrasound showed a baby measuring 3 weeks ahead, plus extra amniotic fluid, which are both signs of GD.  I know u/s can be off, and extra fluid apparently runs in my family (my sister had it with each of her 3 kids), so I almost declined the 2nd test.  But in the end I figured if for some reason it developed late, I would prefer to know because my child's health is at stake. I passed again with flying colors.

The frustrating part is my uterus is measuring at 45 weeks and despite passing 2 GD tests, and the doctors still think GD just "developing late" which is ridiculous.  I have extra fluid. They need to stop bringing it up. 

gymnst1013

Hell no!  I can't imagine why anyone would refuse it.  GD is no laughing matter and it can affect anyone - you just never know.

DaisyJanie

I'm pretty low-intervention generally, but I wouldn't have refused it even if it was an option (it wasn't, my birth center wouldn't allow me to deliver there without it). I failed it and I'm glad I'm monitoring and dieting - my sugars would be crazy if I was eating whatever I feel like, but with the diet I'm very well controlled.

OctoberCAPA

dicer2:

As someone dealing with GD and seeing the issues it is causing for me and my baby, I think it would be irresponsible to refuse the glucose tolerance test.

This.  I've been very lucky to be able to control my GD with diet and we haven't seen any effects on the babies' growth.  I would be terrified of what could have happened to the babies' health and mine if I hadn't known and just continued eating my normal (healthy but not GD-approved!) diet.

lil_shocker

Unless you're like the PP and have taken and passed a test already, you'd be foolish to refuse the glucose tolerance test. GD is a pretty serious thing and can have life-lasting effects on you and your child.

I can honestly think of NO reason to refuse the initial test. At all. 

tesary

gymnst1013:

Hell no!  I can't imagine why anyone would refuse it.  GD is no laughing matter and it can affect anyone - you just never know.

This! I hate needles so I wasn't looking forward to this test but you just have to put your babies health first.  

jessalynn221

I think that refusing the test would be very irresponsible and would be surprised if a dr let you refuse it. There are way too many complications with uncontrolled GD that I would never want to risk that.

akayf

Why would you refuse it?  GD is nothing to make light of and is something that you can control/monitor.   I was freaking out last week because my growth scan showed a very large baby and excess fluid, both signs of untreated/uncontrolled GD, even though I passed the 1 hr test back in March.   I was so worried while waiting for the results of the retake.  

I understand some people think some tests aren't needed, but IMO, the GD test is not one you should even THINK about skipping.   

Pockety

A friend of mine had a lot of trouble doing the test - she could not seem to keep the drink down!  Each time she tried, she immediately threw it up.  After two tries, she tried to refuse to do it again.  Her doctor told her that if she didn't want to take the test again, that was fine, but that they'd just need to treat her as though she did have GD, and she'd need to go on the special diet, etc.  She eventually managed to keep the drink down on her third attempt, and passed with flying colors.  

So yes, you can refuse the test - but then you need to behave as though you have GD.   

leb2be

i'm just wondering...OP, what made you ask this question?

O2BaMom

gymnst1013:

Hell no!  I can't imagine why anyone would refuse it.  GD is no laughing matter and it can affect anyone - you just never know.

This, why in the world would you put yourself and your BABY in such danger!!??!

ermaderma

Yeah I agree with everyone else in this post that it is EXTREMELY irresponsible to refuse the test unless you are going to voluntarily follow the GD diet and test your blood sugar 4 times a day for the rest of your pregnancy.

cvl105

gymnst1013:

Hell no!  I can't imagine why anyone would refuse it.  GD is no laughing matter and it can affect anyone - you just never know.

 

SERuppert

I got the test and was miserable - lightheaded, disoriented, and sick much of the rest of the day.  I just wonder why it has to be done the way it is.  I eat a very healthy, balanced diet, and I never eat in a way that would cause blood sugar spikes like the GD test - it seems unhealthy to me. 

I feel like there has to be an alternative way to screen for the condition, as I agree it's way too huge a risk to not test at all.  I work with some medically involved teenagers with autism, and we worry about pre-diabetes with some of them.  To monitor, we take fasting and 2-hour post-breakfast blood sugar readings every two weeks.  I feel like doing that a few times as a PP did is a more nutritionally responsible way of testing for diabetes.  With a future pregnancy, I would plan to ask more questions about alternatives to the standard glucose solution GD test.  There has to be a way to screen for the disease without using such an artificial test.

lil_shocker

But sometimes it doesn't matter what type of diet you normally eat and how healthy or not healthy you are. Things get wacky with how your body reacts during pregnancy. And, from explanations to me from doctors and moms who've had GD, it doesn't react or test like "normal" (non gestational) diabetes. Is there another way to test for it besides the drink? Probably, but it will take MUCH more coordination and conversation with your OB and MD and it may not be covered by insurance.

It's the same thing with estrogen and triglycerides- it can SERIOUSLY raise levels despite eating a triglyceride friendly diet as a normal part of your life before and during pregnancy. It is just how your body responds to whatever chemical change or stressor. Environment an diet may affect it, but it isn't solely responsible for it.

Sunidaze

I just want to know why OP asked the question and then disappeared!  As someone with GD, I too think it is very irresponsible to refuse the test.  With myself, I kinda expected this would be the outcome...but am also well aware that this could really happen to anyone.  And with the risks associated with GD why would someone be so stupid as to refuse and then treat?  Kinda like I get really annoyed at work with people who know darn well I have GD and continue to insist I should eat whatever I want because Im pregnant.

AshleyPT

I didn't refuse it, but was told I didn't need it after my blood glucose was tested a few times. I would have gladly done it if told to.

FitFighter812

I don't want to do it because 1) I get reactive hypoglycemia.  I know my sugar will go up and then way down, I will crash and feel sick the rest of the day.  2) Whenever I get my blood glucose tested, my sugar runs low.  3) I eat a very healthy diet anyway.  If I did have GD, what else could they do for me?

AshleyPT

FitFighter812:

I don't want to do it because 1) I get reactive hypoglycemia.  I know my sugar will go up and then way down, I will crash and feel sick the rest of the day.  2) Whenever I get my blood glucose tested, my sugar runs low.  3) I eat a very healthy diet anyway.  If I did have GD, what else could they do for me?

 

Why is this coming up now and not 10 weeks ago?

MammaBear81

I TRIED my best to avoid it (4 babies and never a hint of GD).  I made it all the way to 32 weeks and thought I was home free, but I got cornered and the Dr almost made me stay and do it right then and there.  He was of course understanding that I couldn't wait another hour to take the test, but he said that the older you get the more likely you are to have it, and if I did, they needed to manage it, even if it was only for a few weeks.  Of course I passed with flying colors, but I don't think an OB will let you "pass" maybe with a midwife?

ekfritsche

I personally think it would be extremely irresponsible and dumb to refuse the GD test... It's nothing to scoff at and there are serious complications if GD is not treated and monitored properly...

OctoberCAPA

Ummm.....just because you eat a healthy diet does not mean you (a) don't have GD or (b) the GD diet rules are unnecessary if you have GD.  I have always been a healthy eater and was very careful with food throughout my pregnancy--guess what, my placentas and the hormones they released had other plans.  The GD diet is not just "eat healthy."

Refuse to take the test if you want to, but then be prepared to follow the specific rules and test your sugar.  And unless you are testing, you have no idea what pregnancy hormones are doing to your blood sugar. 

leahkeller90

I am thinking of refusing the test primarily because I know I am as healthy as a horse. I am eating very healthy, like always. I am a fitness professional so I am in great condition and I have only gained six pounds in 19 weeks. plus i am only 22. So I think I am going to decline. I think the GTT should be taken if you are over weight and not in very good physical condition and older.

leahkeller90

How do you think people did it back in the earlier times. there was no tests or hospitals. only in an emergency. women popped out their babies and went back to working in the fields the same day.

gymnst1013

leahkeller90:

How do you think people did it back in the earlier times. there was no tests or hospitals. only in an emergency. women popped out their babies and went back to working in the fields the same day.

Wow, 8 months later for a response to this post - that's got to be some kind of record.

Sounds like you don't know a whole lot about GD.  It has nothing to do with being overweight or otherwise unhealthy.  Even the healthiest, most in shape, young person can develop it.  Sure there weren't tests back in the day but the infant and mother mortality rate was a hell of a lot higher back then. 

It's just a blood test.  Not a big deal.  Why refuse a simple blood test if it can help keep you and your baby safe?  That is just irresponsible.

kimbo1216

gymnst1013:

leahkeller90:

How do you think people did it back in the earlier times. there was no tests or hospitals. only in an emergency. women popped out their babies and went back to working in the fields the same day.

Wow, 8 months later for a response to this post - that's got to be some kind of record.

Sounds like you don't know a whole lot about GD.  It has nothing to do with being overweight or otherwise unhealthy.  Even the healthiest, most in shape, young person can develop it.  Sure there weren't tests back in the day but the infant and mother mortality rate was a hell of a lot higher back then. 

It's just a blood test.  Not a big deal.  Why refuse a simple blood test if it can help keep you and your baby safe?  That is just irresponsible.

Totally agree with everything Gym said.

How the heck did this old gem even get pulled up? lol.  I was so confused.  Gym, you must also have your post set to last post date.

kas80

Holy moly I was confused for a second as to why all these June mommas are already so far along in pregnancy again :-P

PurdueMama14

I was so confused too!! At first I thought it was a June 2012 mama coming to ask a question and then realized by the responses that it was a super old thread.