September 2017 Moms

Glucose Challenge Test / Gestational Diabetes

I shouldn't be embarrassed, but my inner "perfectionist" is somewhat bruised (and surprised) after failing my Glucose Challenge Test.  Apparently my level was 144 when it should be under 130.  So now I have to do the 3 hour diagnostic test.  Anyone have experience with taking the 3 hour, and/or having gestational diabetes?  A friend of mine had GD but she said that her mother had it too, so it ran in her family.  I was not expecting this, but it could be a false positive.
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Re: Glucose Challenge Test / Gestational Diabetes

  • DPandMBDPandMB member
    Yes I have gestational diabetes. I have no family history either. It's hard to say just from failing the 1 hour of you'll fail the 3 hour or not. I know lots of people that fail the 1 hour and then pass the 3 hour. Just try to cut back your carbs and sugars and drink lots of water between now and then. Good luck. I hope you pass. 




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  • JNR6510JNR6510 member
    Ditto what @DPandMB said. Plenty of people fail the 1 hour and pass the 3 hour. Just be more mindful of your sugar and carb intake between now and your next test. FX for a good 3 hour test result!
  • Thanks, everyone. This makes me feel so much better and puts my mind at ease. More stress certainly wouldn't help right now! 
  • With DD, I failed the 1 hour - even worse than you did, actually. And passed the 3 hour well under the recommended margin. My understanding is the 1 hour has a lower threshold because the 3 hour is somewhat intensive and not all women need to take it, but if you are closer, it is better to know than not know. 

    My suggestion is to take the 3 hour first thing in the morning, I think it is easier than waiting till later in the day.
  • CSL522CSL522 member
    Last pregnancy I failed the 1 hour GTT with a level of around 170, I believe. I passed the 3 hour but still was somewhat stressed about it. Haven't taken the test this pregnancy yet..
  • stephy_pstephy_p member
    edited May 2017
    I failed the 1 hour, and passed the 3 hour. I didn't change the way I ate between tests and there was only 1 day between tests. My 1 hour was 140 and my doctor's cutoff is 135. I have been trying to do a pregnancy vlog and documented my glucose testing experience and share all of my numbers if you want to take a look:


    I totally spazzed out about it, but it was all for nothing. A really high number of people that have to take the 3 hour test end up passing. I have my fingers crossed that you will pass it!!

    ETA: Sorry! I didn't know the video would embed in here! I just tried posting the link to youtube and it embedded it somehow! I am trying to put it in a spoiler box now...


    BabyFetus Ticker
    Me: 34 | DH: 31
    Married: Nov. 7, 2015
    TTC Since: February, 2016
    BFP: December 20, 2016



  • I also failed the 1 hour but passed the 3 hour - in my first pregnancy. Here's my advice - for the 1 hour I was told I didn't have to fast so I ate breakfast and failed. For the 3 hour I was told to fast which I did and I passed. Sooo this time Around I will be fasting for the 1 hour. 
  • @DanaG I fasted for the one hour and still failed. 

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Me 34 DH 34 
    PCOS

    DS1 born September 2017
    Baby number 2 due 4/11/20
  • It seems pretty mysterious overall! But of course if I have GD I want to know so I can regulate it the best I can. I am planning on doing the 3 hour Tuesday am (8:30-11:30?) so we'll see.....
  • You can drink water beforehand, right??
  • You can drink water beforehand, right??
    Yes, water won't affect your blood sugar.

    Me: 27 years old            DH: 27 years old
    Type 1 Diabetes since 2001, MTHFR hetero A1298T
    Dogs: Raider 4 yrs, Dex 4 yrs
    Married in July 2014
    TTC #1 since late Feb 2016
    BFP #1 3/29/16     MMC: 5/5/16
    BFP #2 7/6/16    SCH, D&C 8/4/16
    BFP #3 12/26/16     EDD: 9/6/17
    My Chart / My Diabetes/Pregnancy Blog
    My Type 1/TTC/Pregnancy Podcast: 
    Juicebox Podcast Episode 118
    A1Cs:
    1/12/16 6.7%
    5/25/16 6.0%
    11/2/16 6.1%
    3/22/16 5.8%
    4/27/17 5.4%
    6/13/17 5.3%
               
    "Sugar Fancy Tutu"
  • @margareth-2 I was told not to drink water beforehand. It won't affect your blood sugar, but they want you to have an empty stomach. Apparently a lot of women throw up the sugary drink and you're less likely to do so on an empty stomach. I did have water during the 3 hours, but nothing else to eat or drink. 

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Me 34 DH 34 
    PCOS

    DS1 born September 2017
    Baby number 2 due 4/11/20
  • I've never done a 1 hour. My office does 3 hours for everyone. So annoying. I actually expect to fail. I did not have GD with my first or second pregnancy, but apparently it's more common with twins. Both my boys weighed over 9 lbs. 
  • jlf1019jlf1019 member
    I had GD the first time around, have it again this time, and each time, my doctor has only had me do the 1 hour test.  They tested me really early with my first daughter (around 11 weeks) because I had sugar in my urine. I guess that, combined with my failed 1 hour test, confirmed it enough for them. It bothered me a bit, because I honestly didn't think I had it that early. It was completely manageable with virtually no dietary changes, all the way up until the 28 week mark. And then I did start to have higher sugars after higher carb meals. I was induced at 38 weeks due to the GD and because my daughter was measuring on the bigger side -- she was born at 8lbs 4 oz at 38 weeks, 1 day. So had I gone until 40 or so, she probably would have been 9-10  pounds. My doctor/doc's office typically follows a protocol of inducing GD patients around 38-39 unless baby is measuring small.

    Since I had it so early last time, they tested me around 11 weeks again this time, and I again failed (like 170). Still no 3-hour test. Again, it's been really manageable so far with very few dietary changes. But to be honest, it really doesn't bother me that they're treating me like I have GD even though I'm not totally convinced I do. It's forcing me to make healthier decisions when I otherwise might not feel like it. Even though I haven't drastically changed my diet, I am more conscious of getting up and moving after meals, taking walks when I can, etc. And it helps keep my weight gain low. I only gained 20 pounds with my daughter, and so far I've only put on about 6 pounds with this pregnancy. I do hope to try to go into labor on my own this time, as opposed to being induced. But my experience was an overall good one, so I'm not too stressed about it. 

    I personally wouldn't make dietary changes between your 1 hour and 3 hour tests -- unless you plan to keep up with those changes afterwards. I would rather know if you have GD than do a few tricks to make sure you pass this test and then operate like you don't have it when you do. It can cause some serious problems for some people, so I'd rather just know for sure. Better safe than sorry, in my opinion. 

    Sorry for the novel :) 
  • Good point.  Thanks, @jlf1019 !
  • I did the first blood draw and drank the glucose (on an empty stomach) and unfortunately I feel like I'm going to faint... not sure what to do; I really want to do this test right and get it done. They're not letting me drink water but Maybe i will get to soon? I don't want anything to affect results...
  • @margareth I felt similarly when I had it done. Ended up having to take the whole day off work. I'm surprised that they aren't letting you have water now. I was allowed small sips throughout the test. Maybe ask after the next blood draw and tell them you are worried about getting dehydrated. Water shouldn't affect your blood sugar. 

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Me 34 DH 34 
    PCOS

    DS1 born September 2017
    Baby number 2 due 4/11/20
  • @margareth Hope you're doing ok! I actually did pass out with my first pregnancy after drinking the glucola. It was awful, but I did pass. Hoping you're feeling better and you pass with flying colors!
    DD 6/2007
    DS 4/2009
    m/c 11/12/2010 ~ 7 wks
    m/c 7/4/2012 ~ 6 wks
    DD 12/2013
    mmc Baby Girl 7/12/2015 ~ 14 weeks  <3
    Twin girls! 8/26/2017


  • Thank you so much -- I didn't think this would be so trying for me, though I hate getting blood work in general, and this is obviously exacerbated by the glucose on empty stomach, lack of food, and having blood drawn 4 times in 3 hours... they let me lie down in a room and it helped. 

    Thanks for all your encouragement -- 1 hour left! 
  • @bridge-and-wall Interesting update regarding the water -- the nurse said I could have a few sips of water now -- apparently she could tell from my vein that I was dehydrated?! I don't know if water would dilute the results... I'm no scientist lol. 

    @daisy62103 I'm so sorry you passed out. How unpleasant! 
  • @margareth It's harder to get blood out of your veins if you are dehydrated. Glad they let you drink some water! I had to do the 3 hour test with my first pregnancy and it was rough. I left there feeling weak and faint. Ate a few snacks in the car and had a huge headache the rest of the day. Not too fun. Hope you made it through OK
  • @kgemkid Relieved for you! I'm still waiting to hear back on the results... maybe no news is good news? I didn't feel like calling today bc I figured ignorance is bliss... for another 24 hours. ;) 
  • margareth said:
    @kgemkid Relieved for you! I'm still waiting to hear back on the results... maybe no news is good news? I didn't feel like calling today bc I figured ignorance is bliss... for another 24 hours. ;) 
    Mine only call if there's an abnormal value. So I'd say no news is good news! 
  • I failed the 2h too. Got a 132 and my doctor's cutoff is 130. Pretty annoyed to have to do the 3h, and also embarrassed because I have gained weight in the past few years and feel like this is all my fault and I am putting my son at risk. Didn't expect to get so emotional about 2 points. 

    Have the 3h test in a week. Nervous.
  • kgemkidkgemkid member
    jessieR358 said:nu
    margareth said:
    @kgemkid Relieved for you! I'm still waiting to hear back on the results... maybe no news is good news? I didn't feel like calling today bc I figured ignorance is bliss... for another 24 hours. ;) 
    Mine only call if there's an abnormal value. So I'd say no news is good news! 
    Agree- no news is generally good news. My OB's office has a note in my chart to call either way as soon as doc reviews the report because I told them I hate the suspense.. I took the test on Monday and got my results Wednesday morning when the office opened. If you're like me with getting worked up over results,  definitely see if they'll put a note in your chart.
  • @Knottie1469136344 Don't be too hard on yourself. I've known mommas who were super fit, exercised regularly, and ate great, and they still had GD. Part of it might be lifestyle, but part of it is genetics. Sometimes there is nothing you can do other than your best.

    Also, I'd recommend you log in to The Knot and change your user name. The Knottienumber names can be really hard for people to remember and/or tag.

    **TW**
    Me & DH: 32
    Married 2013
    Kiddo #1: Sept 2015
    BFP: 1/19, EDD: 9/30

    "I'm having fruit salad for dinner. Well, it's mostly just grapes, actually. Ok all grapes. Fermented grapes. Fine, I'm having wine for dinner."
  • What @Lizlann said. Even if it turns out that you have GD, there is no reason for you to feel bad. It can happen even if you do everything right. 

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Me 34 DH 34 
    PCOS

    DS1 born September 2017
    Baby number 2 due 4/11/20
  • @Knottie1469136344  Seriously, my best friend is super petite and a normal weight.  She ended up with GD with her first, but not her second LO.  I'm much taller and weigh a lot more, and had absolutely zero issues with blood sugar with DS1.  I passed my 16w GD test with this LO, and expect I'll pass the second one in a few weeks just fine.  Being overweight is a risk factor for GD, but it doesn't guarantee it by any means.  

    DS1: Born 11.18.15
    DS2: EDD- 09.08.17

    Babysizer Cravings Pregnancy Tracker
  • lap018lap018 member
    Anyone have experience with hypoglycemia after the one hour? I got my one hour results and they were at 63? That seems low to me. I haven't heard from my doc yet I just accessed it on my E chart just wondering if anyone had experienced this side of it?
  • @lap018 Interesting! There's definitely not anything bad or harmful about that.. I would just be concerned if it happens frequently your doc may want you to check your blood sugar to avoid going too low and passing out. But reallly, it's probably cuz it was straight sugar without protein or fat to help slow the absorption. How often do you eat pure sugar? Never. We're not 5 anymore. I'd guess that the chances of that happening again is slim. Did you feel shaky or sweaty or dizzy? Do you ever after you eat?

    Me: 27 years old            DH: 27 years old
    Type 1 Diabetes since 2001, MTHFR hetero A1298T
    Dogs: Raider 4 yrs, Dex 4 yrs
    Married in July 2014
    TTC #1 since late Feb 2016
    BFP #1 3/29/16     MMC: 5/5/16
    BFP #2 7/6/16    SCH, D&C 8/4/16
    BFP #3 12/26/16     EDD: 9/6/17
    My Chart / My Diabetes/Pregnancy Blog
    My Type 1/TTC/Pregnancy Podcast: 
    Juicebox Podcast Episode 118
    A1Cs:
    1/12/16 6.7%
    5/25/16 6.0%
    11/2/16 6.1%
    3/22/16 5.8%
    4/27/17 5.4%
    6/13/17 5.3%
               
    "Sugar Fancy Tutu"
  • lap018lap018 member
    @Sugargirl1019 not really shaky or sweaty but maybe sometimes dizzy if it's like French toast first thing for breakfast, mostly I have just been EXHAUSTED since the test. But I definitely see what you're saying, as far as how often am I going to chug glucola first thing in the morning within a 5 min time frame...... absolutely never again lol! 
  • But, I'm not a doctor and you should definitely ask yours if there are concerns :p@lap018

    Me: 27 years old            DH: 27 years old
    Type 1 Diabetes since 2001, MTHFR hetero A1298T
    Dogs: Raider 4 yrs, Dex 4 yrs
    Married in July 2014
    TTC #1 since late Feb 2016
    BFP #1 3/29/16     MMC: 5/5/16
    BFP #2 7/6/16    SCH, D&C 8/4/16
    BFP #3 12/26/16     EDD: 9/6/17
    My Chart / My Diabetes/Pregnancy Blog
    My Type 1/TTC/Pregnancy Podcast: 
    Juicebox Podcast Episode 118
    A1Cs:
    1/12/16 6.7%
    5/25/16 6.0%
    11/2/16 6.1%
    3/22/16 5.8%
    4/27/17 5.4%
    6/13/17 5.3%
               
    "Sugar Fancy Tutu"
  • @lap018 my numbers were low like that with my first. Did you eat breakfast or fast before the 1 hour? 
  • I ate "healthy" the morning of the one hour (a smoothie and eggs) but I didn't eat lunch, mostly because I was running from one thing to the next... the test was at 2, so maybe my results had something to do with my "unintentional" 5 hour fast? I have no idea... 
  • I had my 1 hour test on 5/22 and haven't heard anything so I'm taking that as I don't have GD. My office usually is "no news is good news" and if there was an issue then they would tell me, I hope! 
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
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