Glucose test is mandatory?

chirico3 · December 2013

Hi ladies.

I am at my 23rd week today. I was checking that usually the glucose load test, or whatever it's called, the one when you test your blood sugar immediately after drinking glucose and then a hour later, is taken between 24 and 27 weeks. My OB/gyn didn't say anything about this, and I won't be seeing her before my 27th week.

I have had monthly bloodwork done until now, and my glucose level has always been normal - even on the low side. From all my visits/exams everything is normal, my weight is normal too, and I don't have diabetes in my family.

My question is: the glucose load test is something that has to be taken in all cases, or if everything is normal one can also go without?

Thanks!

katieharpiceland · December 2013

I don't think they can force you to take any medical test ever. But, its highly recommended.

Teresa1896 · December 2013

I think it's routine in most OB offices, even if you have no risk factors. I'd call and ask them about it. GD is easily treated and potentially dangerous to you and your LO if untreated.

I'm 24 weeks and my test is this morning.

sarahm7310 · December 2013

My test was this morning - happy it's over. I was wondering if it would be mandatory in another country- but it turns out here - it's extremely highly recommended as well.

My test was so different from the in the States. The one I had was just a screening test in the States - drink the drink - wait an hour - do a blood draw.

Here - I went in and they did pretty much everything that they would do for a 3 hour one - fasting blood draw, and then drink the drink (which, btw, I would GLADLY drink 10-15 of those cold orange flat tasting glucose drinks in the States over what they give you here. I probably would have chosen to give birth over drinking it - it was so nasty.) and then I was tested - not on the hour - but every 30 mins for the next 2 hours. Oh, and with fasting before hand. Came home and devoured 2 bananas immediately. And now I need a full lunch.

You could call ask your OB - if you want and get his/her thoughts on it. Just to make sure that you are doing everything you are supposed to be doing. Just a thought.

DemoDoll · December 2013

I don't think it's mandatory but why not take it?

maelic · December 2013

My OB (in the US) doesn't do them before 26 weeks.

They're not mandatory but there is absolutely no reason not to take them. Being healthy doesn't mean you won't develop GD, necessarily.

GeorgiaWife12 · December 2013

It doesn't have to be before 27 weeks. Mine isn't until 28, which is standard for most of the doctors around here. Maybe she will mention it at your next appointment? I am with the other ladies... I don't think it's mandatory but it's an easy test so something I'm not going to risk not taking since a positive could definitely affect the health of my baby and myself.

harleychic726 · December 2013

I have hypoglycemia (sp) so istead of doing tje glucose test my ob will have me keep a record of my sugar levels for one week. If i shock my system with too much sugar I can black out. So no it is not mandatory.

Mobile sorry for errors

Kiahsimpson · December 2013

My doctors office doesn't specifically say they're "mandatory", but in the letter my OB gave me about it says the test is given go all obstetrical patients. I'll be 27 weeks.

Rrrrrachel · December 2013

Yeah it's not mandatory, but it is important. Your dr could conceivably discontinue your care if you skipped it, but that seems pretty extreme.

Rrrrrachel · December 2013

It's not just a matter of decency, it's also what there's evidence to support in terms of effective testing.

chirico3 · December 2013

Thanks Ladies. It's not that I am against it, it's just that I was wandering why my OB (who gives me blood tests to take every single month) didn't mention it. But maybe I'll have to take it after next visit. She makes me check my "fasting" blood sugar every month anyway, so I don't really know if I'll take this test too. Guess I'll have to call...

MapleLeafMama · December 2013

It's an easy test for the most part, and not having a genetic pre-disposition to diabetes has nothing to do whether you'll get GD or not. My cousin had GD twice, and there is no history of diabetes in our family at all.

snowclouds · December 2013

You don't have to do it, but it's highly recommended as undiagnosed GD can be dangerous. GD is not caused because you eat too much sugar or because your diet isn't good. It's because your placenta overreacts and doesn't do it's job properly. I learned this all last month because one of my friends who had a great first pregnancy and no inkling of GD got diagnosed with GD and then put on insulin shots this time around. She doesn't have any of the risk factors to predispose her to it either.

The drink is like super sweet flat orange soda. It's not that bad. They usually run it between 26-30 weeks.

abbeylanecb · December 2013

I had my 25 week apt today and I'm going back in 2 weeks for that. I saw a different midwife last time and she just forgot to schedule it. I bet that's what happened.

NYJodway · December 2013

It's totally normal not to have it until 27 or 28 weeks, but I would probably just call the office and ask when they are planning to do it. A medical assistant or nurse there probably has a good idea of when your practice typically tests for GD, and can tell easily enough if it was just forgotten in your case, or if the 27 week mark would be when they mention it to you (to schedule it for 28 weeks).

Rrrrrachel · December 2013

mummyofsix said:

Oh right. OK. I was thinking that she was telling women to do to be 'decent' and polite and was about to throw up.

Maybe its just been my Dr's. I haven't had a glucola drink since #1 and thats because I didn't think to ask for anything different. Every OB I have had since (and its been a lot) have given other options when asked. I guess I just have super-docs.

But I mean, 50 or 100mg of glucose in 10 mins isn't rocket science. Glucola doesn't contain any magic ingredient that only the best OB's know about.

ETA: Its actually been my peri's who have preferred the week of blood sugar testing vs the glucola test.

Decent was your word not mine. I'm just pointing out that just because your doctor insists on the glucola test vs alternatives doesn't make them a bad doctor. There's not a lot of evidence for the alternatives at this point.

JessieAlbin · December 2013

I'm such a baby.. Getting queasy just thinking about having to have this blood draw at my next appt.

chirico3 · December 2013

NYJodway said:

It's totally normal not to have it until 27 or 28 weeks, but I would probably just call the office and ask when they are planning to do it. A medical assistant or nurse there probably has a good idea of when your practice typically tests for GD, and can tell easily enough if it was just forgotten in your case, or if the 27 week mark would be when they mention it to you (to schedule it for 28 weeks).

It doesn't quite work like this in Italy... The OB/gyn prescribes it, then I have to go to my general doctor for an official prescription, then I have to call hospital to schedule it (once I have the prescription in my hand). Usually from when I call for the test appointment it takes one week to have the test done. So I guess I should call now the OB/gyn to ask her when I should have the test, then call to have my test scheduled when she wants me to take it.

chirico3 · December 2013

mummyofsix said:

Oooooh you're in Italy. Are you sure that they do the glucola testing there? It might be completely different.

Yes, they do - my sister and colleagues had it, but they don't remembe at which point!

homershippo · December 2013

Since I'm slightly overweight I've had my first one already. They make me do one early on then the suggested one at 28 weeks. There is no diabetic history in my family. My sister had it with her first pregnancy and not so far with her second. I would rather be safe than sorry. There are a lot of complications that can happen if it's not taken care of if you do have it.

NYJodway · December 2013

chirico3 said:

It doesn't quite work like this in Italy... The OB/gyn prescribes it, then I have to go to my general doctor for an official prescription, then I have to call hospital to schedule it (once I have the prescription in my hand). Usually from when I call for the test appointment it takes one week to have the test done. So I guess I should call now the OB/gyn to ask her when I should have the test, then call to have my test scheduled when she wants me to take it.

In that case, I'd definitely call today Just better to get it all squared away when there are so many steps. Hope it all goes smoothly for you.

sorarose · December 2013

I know my doctor wasn't going to have me take it until 28 week, but since my LO is measuring on the large side, I wanted to have it sooner rather than later. He told me at 24 weeks there can be a lot of false positives, so he wanted me to wait until at least 26 weeks.

reillyea · December 2013

They gave me the glucola and told me between 26 & 28 weeks. So maybe your doctor will bring it up at your next appt. If not i would ask about it. I am going in on a day i don't have appt just to have my blood drawn after drinking. So they might just have you do that too.

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