First time mom has question about glucose testing....?

Question

Hi, I'm 26 weeks (Or 28, the baby is 26 weeks gestation) pregnant. My pee has been tested twice for sugar in the urine, and came back fine, but yesterday I did the 1 hour glucose test, and received a call back telling me my levels were elevated and would need to come and do the 3 hour test at my earliest convienience. They didn't tell me what the numbers were. I've been reading about gestational diabetes and it scares me, especially since 40% (!) of people diagnosed with it go on to develop type 2 diabetes. But, I don't understand why there's no extra sugar in my pee, but this last drink-the-orange-pop-test came back abnomal/elevated. Thanks for the help :)

Answer 1

Hi,
As long as I wasn't spilling ketones or sugar I personally wouldn't worry too much. The reason your urine is clear is because your pancreas has been able to handle the load well, but you are carrying it in your bloodstream a little too long.

Many moms diagnosed with gestational DM do go on to develop DM2 later in life. But you can help to avoid that just by cutting back on sugars and eating right. Your body is under great stress right now. Your pancreas is working at capacity. Yet, you aren't even spilling sugar. You will do ok.

Gestational DM is beginning to be diagnosed more and more often right now just like ADD was in the 80s and Autism was in the 90s. Sometimes a fancy test will become popular and a disease will begin to be overdiagnosed. DM is a horrible disease, but people are people just like they were 30 years ago or more. There probably isn't a big change in the number of people with the disease. It is just being diagnosed more now.

If I were in your shoes, I personally wouldn't worry. I would just assume they are seeing a problem where there probably isn't a big one. Just eat healthy, make wise choices with your carbs like whole grains and fruits not junk food. You should be fine as long as you aren't spilling sugar or ketones. Get good medical advice, and take it as far as you feel comfortable taking it. But don't worry too much. In five years they will have another new disease to see under every rock or a new fancy test to find old diseases everywhere.

Congratulations on your baby. Enjoy him greatly.

Answer 2

I'm not sure what's going on with your urine, but I was always tested by my blood. I failed the 1 hour and the 3 hour test. They usually won't tell you what your numbers are, just if you failed or not. If you pass the second test, then there is really no need. If I remember correctly, your glucose should be between 120 and 130 1-2 hours after you eat. Anything over that is too high. You can probably call your doctor and find out what your number was for the 1 hour test. At least it will tell you if you are way over or not.
I had gestational diabetes (GD) with both my children - it's really not that bad, you just have to watch what you eat, which is healthy anyway. Women with GD tend to have larger babies also. My son was born 4 weeks early (not associated with GD) and he was still 7.5 lbs. My doctor said that if I had gone full term he would have been over 9 lbs. Everyone said that is a big baby but he still seemed small to me.
Good Luck with your test and your pregnancy!

Answer 3

the blood test is simply alot more sensitive than the urine test. Your blood sugar has to be really high to spill into the urine. If the blood sugar levels were elevated, it wouldn't necessarily show up in the urine. Gestational diabetes can be easily controlled, and it also gives you a heads up to watch your diet and weight closely. You can avoid adult onset diabetes if you do that.