Refusing the 3 hour test

TucktheTurtle · January 2012

I failed my 1 hour test (at 147) today.

With my oldest, I failed the one hour test twice (at 151 and 153, I think) and passed the three hour test with flying colors twice.

I had to sign a paper saying I am refusing the test, and I'll have to do the one hour test every time I go in from now on. (According to the nurse, I didn't get to talk to my actual doctor about it.)

Oh well. Sitting in a doctor's office with a four year old for three and a half hours with nothing to eat is a special kind of torture.

(Before anyone flames me, I would happily take the three hour test if I had failed by more than 10 points and if I didn't already have an established history of failing the one hour/passing the three hour.)

ImThisBabysMom · January 2012

I get your logic here. I would feel like doing the hour test once every 2 weeks and eventually once a week until birth would be a hassle. I would also feel like I'd need to diet anyways if i was doing that. But its your decision and do what works best for you.

ImThisBabysMom · January 2012

softskate31:
***every pregnancy can be different***

Possibly going untreated for GD can cause serious risks to you and your baby. I think you are being very foolish.

If you were refusing the 3 hour and just starting treatment for GD, that's different.

I didn't get Pre-e last pregnancy, that doesn't mean I am refusing testing/treatment for possible pre-e this time. That would be foolish.

I would say I completely agree.....but since she will be doing the one hour at every visit, I don't think its completely foolish. She is still being monitored. I do think she should watch her eating habits to be safe though.

blams05 · January 2012

At my office 130 is the fail mark which would put you 17 pts over...

westrose · January 2012

No flaming here. You know what is best for you and your body. Some OB's do not even do the one hour test because they are so inaccurate. I have known several people who have not done the 3 hour test and are fine.

jesbeth · January 2012

I don't get it. If you fail the one hour test again, what happens then? Does that mean you need to be treated for GD?

ChelseyB5186 · January 2012

Ugh, taking the 1 hr test repeatedly would be much more of a hassle to me than just getting the 3hr over with. That way you know for sure, and don't have to worry about it anymore. But, it's ultimately your decision.

I don't exactly think that failing the 1hr, and then passing the 3hr with your previous pregnancy is "established history", especially since PP mentioned that every pregnancy is different. One time isn't going to ensure that you're fine this time.

Also, regarding the whole 10 points or more logic, I passed my 3hr test, but one of my numbers came back high by only 7 points. According to my OB, I don't have GD, but according to the diabetic counselor I went to see as a precaution, any # off is a fail. They have different standards (The American Diabetic Association), and even if it were 1 point, they recommend monitoring blood sugar and altering your diet, because they consider it "diabetes". Just FYI, as I'm trying to prove that it's not always about the exact "number".

Good luck.

TKx2 · January 2012

softskate31:
***every pregnancy can be different***

Possibly going untreated for GD can cause serious risks to you and your baby. I think you are being very foolish.

If you were refusing the 3 hour and just starting treatment for GD, that's different.

I didn't get Pre-e last pregnancy, that doesn't mean I am refusing testing/treatment for possible pre-e this time. That would be foolish.

TKx2 · January 2012

softskate31:
***every pregnancy can be different***

Possibly going untreated for GD can cause serious risks to you and your baby. I think you are being very foolish.

If you were refusing the 3 hour and just starting treatment for GD, that's different.

I didn't get Pre-e last pregnancy, that doesn't mean I am refusing testing/treatment for possible pre-e this time. That would be foolish.

I agree. And I think having to take the 1 hour at every visit is more of an inconvenience than taking the 3 hour one time.

brazillagorilla · January 2012

I have a friend currently pregnant (also an April mommy) with her second. She didn't even take the 1 hour because she passed it with her last pregnancy and her MW was fine with it... FWIW.

Browneyedhunni85 · January 2012

TKx2:
softskate31:

***every pregnancy can be different***

Possibly going untreated for GD can cause serious risks to you and your baby. I think you are being very foolish.

If you were refusing the 3 hour and just starting treatment for GD, that's different.

I didn't get Pre-e last pregnancy, that doesn't mean I am refusing testing/treatment for possible pre-e this time. That would be foolish.

I agree. And I think having to take the 1 hour at every visit is more of an inconvenience than taking the 3 hour one time.

Yep. I would hate to have to take the 1 hour test every visit. I say take the 3 hr test and be done with it.

snoangel79 · January 2012

I failed mine by 148 and I also failed my 3 hour... It can definitely happen, if you will not take the three hour think about getting a tester to test your blood sugar for a bit and try to eat high protein, low carb or even talk to someone in nutrition. My numbers have been amazing with eating well. It can only help you if you refuse the 3 hour.

IrishSara · January 2012

I think refusing the test is so incredibly selfish. Why don't you want to take it? Because you are going to be inconvenienced for one morning? You can't stand to be inconvenienced for one day at the rish of your childs health? I can't imagine anything more selfish. Or what, you are afraid you actually MAY have GD and won't be able to eat whatever the heck you want? Well, isn't that nice.

I'm so glad to hear that your convenience and what is easiest for YOU is worth more than your health and the health of your unborn baby. Awesome logic.

Shame on you.

lmd321 · January 2012

Do they really make you sit there for the full 3 hours? For my one hour, they let me leave and come back. Couldn't you go do errands or something?

HannahO28 · January 2012

No flames from me. You know your body best and it sounds like your doctor has a plan in place to keep you monitored. I would probably rather take the 3-hour than take the 1-hour six more times, but I'm sure you've weighed all the pros and cons and made the right decision for you

IrishSara · January 2012

HannahO28:
No flames from me. You know your body best and it sounds like your doctor has a plan in place to keep you monitored.

You know your body best? How do you KNOW you have GD? You don't. That's why they test you for it. There is no way of "knowing" your body to have something like that. There are no symptoms of it.

So, if she keeps failing the one-hour test, then what?

TucktheTurtle · January 2012

I get what you guys are saying- and I agree it would be irresponsible for me to go completely unmonitored. However, I will be getting the one hour test again (and if my numbers ever come back highly elevated, I will go along with whatever testing/treatments my doctor recommends.) If my urine ever came back with sugar in it or anything, I would get testing done.

I really just want a second opinion before going through all of it again, though I will watch my diet a little closer over the next two weeks.

I'm still a little ticked that I didn't get to talk to my doctor about it. I trust her judgement, and if she had told me I absolutely had to get the test, I would. Instead, I talked to a nurse who I had never met before.

BTW- It's way more convenient for me to get the one hour test multiple times than get the three hour- DH is in crunch time for work, so getting four hours during the day that he can stay with DD is nearly impossible. I'm almost always at the doctor's appointment for an hour anyway, and they fit the labs in between that.

HannahO28 · January 2012

IrishSara:
HannahO28:
No flames from me. You know your body best and it sounds like your doctor has a plan in place to keep you monitored.

You know your body best? How do you KNOW you have GD? You don't. That's why they test you for it. There is no way of "knowing" your body to have something like that. There are no symptoms of it.

So, if she keeps failing the one-hour test, then what?

Then she can decide where to go from there, with her doctor's help.

TucktheTurtle · January 2012

lmd321:
Do they really make you sit there for the full 3 hours? For my one hour, they let me leave and come back. Couldn't you go do errands or something?

At my office, I would have to stay. No food, no drink, no walking around, etc. for a little over three hours.

orriskitten · January 2012

I think waiting for "highly elevated" is not wise.

I hear you where you say how hard it would be, but here's what I'd suggest and what some other ladies have been given to do that may be easier: Ask for a blood glucose monitor to take home with you and do the finger sticks for a couple of weeks. This way you don't need to sit at the office and still have a very close handle on it. You do not want to risk your LO's health for any reason, and this puts the power into your hands so if you need treatment, you'll know. One off tests can be high or low, but if you check a few times a day (especially fasting- if your fasting number is that high on a regular basis it is a huge problem) you'll have a larger picture and either assure yourself you are right, or know you need to be treated.

I'd try asking for it- most insurances cover at least one BG monitor and all included accessories. Please try to be more proactive if you can and not wait.

TucktheTurtle · January 2012

orriskitten:
I think waiting for "highly elevated" is not wise.
I hear you where you say how hard it would be, but here's what I'd suggest and what some other ladies have been given to do that may be easier: Ask for a blood glucose monitor to take home with you and do the finger sticks for a couple of weeks. This way you don't need to sit at the office and still have a very close handle on it. You do not want to risk your LO's health for any reason, and this puts the power into your hands so if you need treatment, you'll know. One off tests can be high or low, but if you check a few times a day (especially fasting- if your fasting number is that high on a regular basis it is a huge problem) you'll have a larger picture and either assure yourself you are right, or know you need to be treated.
I'd try asking for it- most insurances cover at least one BG monitor and all included accessories. Please try to be more proactive if you can and not wait.

That's a really good suggestion. I'll have to look into that and see if it's a possibility.

snoangel79 · January 2012

One of the other girls on here had trouble taking her 3 hour, I don't know if it was keeping the drink down or what but her doctor had her monitor with the meter for a few weeks just as I suggested before.

If you do this you want a number under 90 for fasting (before you eat in the morning).

1 hour after meal under 140 is ideal, 2 hour under 120 at least according to my doctor's office. If the numbers go a little out of range this is fine but you don't want any number over 200. My doctor told me to come immediately to the hospital if that happens.

Eating high protein low carb is what you would need to eat again, you can still eat rice or pasta but eat a small portion and load your plate with meat and veggies. I had cake at my shower and my sugar skyrocketed to 168!! I was mortified but doctor said all my other numbers are normal, just don't eat anymore cake!! Also don't eat something like a bagel for breakfast, do and egg and cheese on english instead. The food choices are not bad and really are what's best for your baby instead of empty calories, plus if you eat like this you may shed the baby weight quicker. Also, eat 5-6 smaller meals a day 3 meals two snacks, which is also good for you as you get larger because your sugar won't bounce around and you won't be over full from eating a large dinner...

Even if you eat well the next few weeks before the test, if you have GD you would still fail the test. My doctors told me you cannot fool the test (it's basically giving you a super high sugar intake and seeing how well your body processes). Even though you didn't fail by much, it's still unfortunately a fail and could get worse as the pregnancy progresses if you don't control it. I know this a lot of info but hope it helps if you decide to forgo the 3 hour...

TucktheTurtle · January 2012

snoangel79:
One of the other girls on here had trouble taking her 3 hour, I don't know if it was keeping the drink down or what but her doctor had her monitor with the meter for a few weeks just as I suggested before.
If you do this you want a number under 90 for fasting (before you eat in the morning).
1 hour after meal under 140 is ideal, 2 hour under 120 at least according to my doctor's office. If the numbers go a little out of range this is fine but you don't want any number over 200. My doctor told me to come immediately to the hospital if that happens.
Eating high protein low carb is what you would need to eat again, you can still eat rice or pasta but eat a small portion and load your plate with meat and veggies. I had cake at my shower and my sugar skyrocketed to 168!! I was mortified but doctor said all my other numbers are normal, just don't eat anymore cake!! Also don't eat something like a bagel for breakfast, do and egg and cheese on english instead. The food choices are not bad and really are what's best for your baby instead of empty calories, plus if you eat like this you may shed the baby weight quicker. Also, eat 5-6 smaller meals a day 3 meals two snacks, which is also good for you as you get larger because your sugar won't bounce around and you won't be over full from eating a large dinner...
Even if you eat well the next few weeks before the test, if you have GD you would still fail the test. My doctors told me you cannot fool the test (it's basically giving you a super high sugar intake and seeing how well your body processes). Even though you didn't fail by much, it's still unfortunately a fail and could get worse as the pregnancy progresses if you don't control it. I know this a lot of info but hope it helps if you decide to forgo the 3 hour...

Thanks for all the info!

I know you can't "trick" the test if you really have GD- which is one of the reasons I'm cool with taking the 1 hour again. I've read quite a bit about people failing the 1 hour after eating poorly the day before...and I may have had a bowl of ice cream for dinner.

kkfeb04 · January 2012

I failed the one hour at 15 weeks. I had refused the 3 hour test BUT I ASKED for the GD dx with this pregnancy. I knew my risk for GD was high as I had it with DS. So to me it wasn't a big deal to go back on the diet and monitor my sugars.

I just don't get your logic, you still failed the one hour. My sugars need to be under 130 on hour after meals. I had a much larger post but I decided to edit it because there would be no point in posting it, you have your mind made up.

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