GD levels.....

[going_crazy]

Hi all

Wondered if someone can help me?

I was told I had GD a few weeks ago, but after a lot of discussion, it was decided that I could test my levels every now and then and not need insulin. I've been disappointed with the lack of information etc I've had on GD and have a question about levels and needing insulin (either in tablet or injection)

Is there a certain BS level (one hour after food) that I would have to reach before the hospital decided I would need insulin?

I have had quite good readings recently, but I've had a couple of readings of 8.0 and 8.4......... are these high? Do you think I need insulin??

My morning levels are ALWAYS under 5.4 (highest was 5.2) so it's just a few after meal readings. I've got another 2 weeks before my next appointment and my hospital aren't really forthcoming with information anyway, so any help from you ladies would be VERY appreciated!!

Apart from that, my pregnancy is going well, always NAD in urine, blood pressure fine, and measuring bang on for dates!!


Thanks in advance ladies xxxxxxx

 

[Smurfette]

Hi,

I'm only recently diagnosed but have been told that BS levels should be below 5.5 before a meal and below 7.5 2 hours after a meal. I was told that anything regularly outside this would indicate that I would need insulin and I'm being reassessed in a week. I assume it's the same across all PCTs if you're in the Uk so if you've only had a couple of higher readings then I guess you'll be OK. Are you checking your BS 4 times a day or more sporadically?

xxx

 

[going_crazy]

Hi,

I'm only recently diagnosed but have been told that BS levels should be below 5.5 before a meal and below 7.5 2 hours after a meal. I was told that anything regularly outside this would indicate that I would need insulin and I'm being reassessed in a week. I assume it's the same across all PCTs if you're in the Uk so if you've only had a couple of higher readings then I guess you'll be OK. Are you checking your BS 4 times a day or more sporadically?

xxx

Thanks for your reply

I was checking my levels 4 times a day, but they were mostly in the 'normal' range, so I was told to test every now and then, particularly after a meal which has a load of carbs....... I have got another GTT on Monday as they are unsure if I have actually got GD or whether my last test was slightly high because of other factors.

I have been given NO other information, not even been to see the dietician yet! I haven't actually changed my regular diet and as I said, my levels rarely go above the 'normal', so don't really know what I'm doing!!

xxxxx

 

[Caezzybe]

The recommended levels for gestational diabetes from NICE (National Institution for Clinical Excellence, the body that the NHS takes its recommendations from) says that our levels should be 7.7 or under ONE hour after meals and 5.9 or under fasting before breakfast. These levels are different from normal diabetes recommendations which are taken TWO hours after meals. I know it seems unfair (I personally got very angry when I found this out but apparently that's a normal reaction to diagnosis), but the aim is to keep your blood sugar as near to normal as possible to prevent the baby growing too much, as this can cause problems during the birth.

I can't understand why your hospital haven't really done anything, that's not good. There are plenty of us on here with gestational diabetes who can give you support and maybe some meal ideas if your diagnosis is positive. Good luck with the outcome of your second test

 

[Sarah10]

Hey i've been told mine should be less than 6.0 before meals, and less than 7.8 1 hour after meals. I've only recently found out this week so i'm all quite new to this. What are your levels like after breakfast? Alot of people struggle with breakfast meals, the general rule i've been given is to eat things like porridge, weetabix etc but these send my sugars in the 9-11 range which is high, so i've found eating low carb meals for breakfast helps, like scrambled eggs for example.

 

[going_crazy]

Hi all, just to update:
the results of my 2nd GTT were a lot worse
My fasting level was 5.6 and my 2hr level was 9.1
Sooo.... I'm back to testing 4 times a day, and have another appointment in 4 weeks time. The good thing is that my growth scan today showed baby is measuring right on the 50th percentile - perfect!

I'm not sure what I can do to improve my levels further as my diet is extremely poor (always has been). I think taking a walk after meals brings my 1 hour level down into the 'norm' but I'm not sure if this is cheating or not - any suggestions welcomed!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Sarah10]

It isn't cheating, if it means it helps keep your sugar level down then carry on
My fasting level was 4.8 and my 2hour level was 10.8

 

[going_crazy]

It isn't cheating, if it means it helps keep your sugar level down then carry on
My fasting level was 4.8 and my 2hour level was 10.8

Thanks hun..... I'm quite suprised tonight, had my dinner (no walking afterwards) and my 1 hour reading was 7.1 - my best reading yet!

Have you been put on insulin after your reading of 10.8? I only ask because when I asked the diabetic midwife whether I should be put on insulin or not she said she wasn't sure

I'm also a little annoyed because the diabetic midwife told me that I would be induced @ 38weeks because of the GD...... I spoke to my VBAC midwife last week and she told me I wasn't allowed to be induced, I would only be offered a sweep @ 40weeks because of my previous c-section So I think for me I'm going to have to just see how things progress!!

I really hope all this messing around isn't having too much of and effect on bubs
xxxx

 

[Sarah10]

Not yet i've been keeping track of what i'm eating along with the levels, so hopefully i will be able to manage through diet/exercise, and i really hope it buggers off after Jayden is born! I miss my chocolate so much, i've gone one week today without anything sugary, torture since the cupboard is full of cakes lol.
Well done for the 7.1 what did you have for dinner? (sorry to be nosey i'm just interested in what people are eating with this GD) xx

 

[going_crazy]

Last night I had a pork steak with some Jersey Royal potatoes and a few carrots - nothing fancy and nothing really out of the ordinary, that's why I was really suprised as I hadn't made much of an effort!

I'm waiting for an appointment for the dietician, but my hospital is so unorganised, I was referred 8 weeks ago and still have heard nothing (I have chased it up twice and yesterday I demanded an appointment!)
I am no sure what to have for lunch today, I'm in one of those moods where I just want to eat!

Hope you are keeping well?
xxxxxx

 

[Sarah10]

Ah its ridiculous isn't it, the way they keep you hanging around!
I'm okay i've had a cold for 3 weeks now, they won't give me anything for it though they just said its normal for it to last longer because the immune system isn't as good when you are pregnant, grr!
I've been told to not eat white pasta, but it keeps my sugar levels quite low between 5-6? So i think i will scrap that rule lol x

 

[Xanth]

how strange - white pasta is one of the things that keeps mine low as well. Wholegrain bread makes it v high. I'm still confused with it all

 

[Sarah10]

I've found weight watchers danish bread keeps it low, also Hovis nimble wholegrain keeps it low too
But i think thats because they are low carb breads, Some brown bread sends it really high so its confusing!

 

[going_crazy]

Sarah10 - hope you feel better soon! (I'm a Sarah also!)

Funny thing is, half of the things I thought would make my levels sky high have actually not made much difference to them..... I thought sausages would shoot my levels up, but no, they're ok, and also I am the same as Xanth - wholemeal bread turns my levels crazy!!!
Oh, and even half a small bar of cadbury chocolate seems fine with me too (every now and then) so I suppose I should be happy with that!

Does anyone know if tortilla wraps are ok to eat? I really fancy one for dinner tonight, with some chicken & salad but not sure

Thanks all! xxxx

 

[Caezzybe]

Hi all, just to update:
the results of my 2nd GTT were a lot worse
My fasting level was 5.6 and my 2hr level was 9.1
Sooo.... I'm back to testing 4 times a day, and have another appointment in 4 weeks time. The good thing is that my growth scan today showed baby is measuring right on the 50th percentile - perfect!

I'm not sure what I can do to improve my levels further as my diet is extremely poor (always has been). I think taking a walk after meals brings my 1 hour level down into the 'norm' but I'm not sure if this is cheating or not - any suggestions welcomed!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Going for a walk isn't cheating, it's probably the reason that my blood sugars are so well managed. I walk for 10 minutes after breakfast and lunch and then for half an hour after my evening meal to boost my cardiovascular system and try to prevent swollen ankles etc.

Exercise reduces your insulin resistance, so it means that your body will actually be using some of the energy from your food and you will feel more energised.

 

[Xanth]

lol going crazy - I'm also Sarah

 

[Sarah10]

Lots of Sarahs!

I think the tortilla wraps will be okay to eat, i guess the only way is to test after you have eaten, alot of it seems like trial and error

 

[going_crazy]

Ok, sorry to re bump this thread, but I'm getting really fed up with all of this......
My readings have been as follows:

morning sugars never above 5.2

1 hour after meals not above 7.4
(apart from a reading of 8.4, 2 weeks ago when I had ice cream for dessert and a reading of 8 when I had steak pie - I'm guessing the pastry!)

Seriously, I haven't changed my original crappy diet (don't eat much fruit or veg) and I haven't done too much extra exercising (just the usual) so why the heck am I still needing to check my levels 4 times a day when they only ever come out as "normal"???????

Oh, and I'm still waiting for my dieticians appointment and I've not got an appointment with the consultant until 17th August!!!!

Is it me, or am I wasting my time a bit and getting sore fingers for nothing here?

 

[sarafused]

I have the exact same problem! Im testing 5 times a day.

My highest morning level is 5.2.

The other night I was feeling really fed up and I stuffed my face! I ate loads of homemade pizza, a handful of crisps and a ice-cream cone. My level was 6.8.

My highest ever reading is 7.1 and that was due to a very large shop bought pasta meal. Usually around 6.3 otherwise.

Ive not been at the gym since getting pregnant as I couldnt manage it. Im not really getting any extra exercise either as its been too hot recently.

Im feeling a bit cheesed off with the whole thing. I know the hospital are going to want to induce me again as they will be expecting a big baby. I was induced at 38+1 due to GD first time (Im sure my levels were similar) and my son was born weighing 8Lb 4oz. My family just do bigger babies, my sisters first was well over 9lbs and she is a slim thing with no GD.

If my levels stay the same I may fight an induction this time. I have to write all my figures in a book so I just need to find out when Ill get a growth scan and consultation. At least Ive got evidence to fight my corner.

 

[going_crazy]

I have the exact same problem! Im testing 5 times a day.

My highest morning level is 5.2.

The other night I was feeling really fed up and I stuffed my face! I ate loads of homemade pizza, a handful of crisps and a ice-cream cone. My level was 6.8.

My highest ever reading is 7.1 and that was due to a very large shop bought pasta meal. Usually around 6.3 otherwise.

Ive not been at the gym since getting pregnant as I couldnt manage it. Im not really getting any extra exercise either as its been too hot recently.

Im feeling a bit cheesed off with the whole thing. I know the hospital are going to want to induce me again as they will be expecting a big baby. I was induced at 38+1 due to GD first time (Im sure my levels were similar) and my son was born weighing 8Lb 4oz. My family just do bigger babies, my sisters first was well over 9lbs and she is a slim thing with no GD.

If my levels stay the same I may fight an induction this time. I have to write all my figures in a book so I just need to find out when Ill get a growth scan and consultation. At least Ive got evidence to fight my corner.

I'm so glad it's not just me experiencing this! Last night I had fish & chips (from the chippy) and 1 hour later my level was 7.2

As for induction, I've already said I'm not happy to be induced just because I've been told I have GD - if there is a real problem with me or the baby (pre eclampsia for example) then obviously I will consider induction. My midwives are actually fine with this, but I haven't seen the consultant about it. Although, because of my previous c-section, I can only have a sweep or have my waters broken anyway, I'm not allowed gel, pessary or drip!

I've done just over 2 weeks of constant level testing and I've now dropped it to doing morning sugars 5 times a week, and 1 hour after a meal that I'm not sure of (i.e I haven't tested after it before) I really don't see the point in testing after a meal that I know is going to give me good levels! I've discussed this with the diabetic midwife and she was ok with that (after seeing my levels on the monitor for herself) although I've got to see the community midwife weekly just for a checking over!!

My first 3 DD's at birth were: 8lb 2oz, 8lb 8oz, 9lb 8oz - all without having GD, so I know for sure I'll have a big baby this time round too, it doesn't frighten me. If my levels start to go up again, then I will go back to testing 4 times a day and obviously follow the hospital guidelines, but for now I feel confident I'm doing the right thing for me!
*I would not recommend anyone else do this, I am doing this for myself/my baby and at my own risk*

Good luck Sarafused xxxxxx