Is the glucose test mandatory?

[LilPeanuts]

This is my 3rd pregnancy and the one thing I always dread is the glucose test. I failed the 1 hour test with my other pregnancies but always passed the 3 hour test. I'll do anything to make sure the baby is safe obviously. I'm just wondering if this is an important and necessary test?

 

[m0mmyCool]

I don't know for sure but i would think that it's not optional. Gestational diabetes can cause serious problems if left untreated/undiagnosed.

 

[Misscalais]

I definitely wouldn't not do it. I hate it too but would rather a little bit of discomfort than have un diagnosed diabetes. We don't even have the option of one hour test any more in our state they do a 2 hour one because the 1 hour one was giving a lot of false positive.

 

[missbabes]

I wouldn't not take it either, and we only have the 2 hr test (of which I have the joy of experiencing for the 2nd time this pregnancy next week). You really would not want to have undiagnosed GD as it can cause numerous issues that can pose danger to both you and baby.

 

[LilPeanuts]

I wouldn't not take it either, and we only have the 2 hr test (of which I have the joy of experiencing for the 2nd time this pregnancy next week). You really would not want to have undiagnosed GD as it can cause numerous issues that can pose danger to both you and baby.

I agree. I've been hearing difference responses and doing research and I'm realizing it's actually one of the important tests. It's always hard to know how many of the tests are actually important because they offer so many at my doctor! I definitely want to avoid complications and do everything I can to make sure baby is healthy. I should be thankful I don't have to do the 2 hour test like you! I've heard of that!

 

[Starlight32]

Does anyone know when the glucose test is done? My doctor has not mentioned it.

 

[LilPeanuts]

Does anyone know when the glucose test is done? My doctor has not mentioned it.

Usually between 24-28 weeks.

 

[hellojello25]

Does anyone know when the glucose test is done? My doctor has not mentioned it.

Usually between 24-28 weeks.

Agreed. At my prenatal appointment last week they have me going soon. I think they want me to go after the 19th of January, which will be about 28 weeks, but I have to double check. This pregnancy brain has got me going nuts lol I can't remember anything!

 

[minties]

It's usually at 28 weeks. If you've had GD before you have to go have it a couple of times during your next pregnancy, fun - not!!! It's a 2 hour test here, and failing that a 3 hour one follows. Never been so bored or queasy in my life, but I had GD diagnosed very late in pregnancy with my daughter and ended up with a large for dates baby, pushed for a c-section and wasn't too happy with how things turned out. I'll be glad to do the tests early this time (probably have one done at 16 weeks). Because I didn't have GD with my son, I was so sure I wouldn't with my daughter. I tested positive at 34 weeks - I was stubborn and silly.

I don't think any medical testing is mandatory for any woman in a developed country. You don't have ti give any blood samples, have any scans or do any testing, but it's for the benefit of the baby and you and so well worth it I think.

 

[Marumi]

My midwife said it is not really that important if you are healthy, normal weight and have no symptoms of GD. She said if you truly had GD there would be other indicators for it, often in your urine for example. So if there is no reason to suspect GD it can apparently be skipped.
Also there are alternative tests for it.
I will not get the oral glucose test done. I have not even the ounce of a symptom, passed last time but only after throwing up the solution 2 times.
There is also such a high risk for false positives. People that eat little sugar and lower in carbs often come back positive just because they are going through such a shock from all the sugar given in one go.

 

[minties]

I didn't have any symptoms and still had it. Well, unless a larger fundal height at a midwife check-up is a symptom, because that is what led to the test being done, even though my midwife did urge me to take it at 28 weeks and I didn't.

 

[katsbump]

I got out of it in Ireland but definitely won't in the USA.

 

[missbabes]

My midwife said it is not really that important if you are healthy, normal weight and have no symptoms of GD. She said if you truly had GD there would be other indicators for it, often in your urine for example. So if there is no reason to suspect GD it can apparently be skipped.
Also there are alternative tests for it.
I will not get the oral glucose test done. I have not even the ounce of a symptom, passed last time but only after throwing up the solution 2 times.
There is also such a high risk for false positives. People that eat little sugar and lower in carbs often come back positive just because they are going through such a shock from all the sugar given in one go.

Actually I'm against the idea of skipping if there is no reason to suspect it. I had no reason to suspect having GD in my last pregnancy. No history in the family at all, wasn't in the weight range. My urine samples never showed any sign of it either.

I only had the GTT due to measuring 2 weeks over at 32 weeks, which a lot of midwifes won't even do as it could be nothing. It was due to that scan that I was found to have excess fluid, in the dangerous range, and the GTT was done to find out why it had happened. I was lucky as mild was easily controlled by reducing both sugar and carb intake.

The whole idea for the GTT is to find out how the body deals with the sugar overdose. There will be no false positive for those having the 2 hr test, as it's plenty of time for the body to deal with it unless positive for GD, which also works for those with low carb/sugar diets.

 

[Redhead84]

It's absolutely optional, as are all other tests.

I refused it last time and it hasn't even been brought up this time around.

 

[Starlight32]

Why can't they just do a blood test instead of doing the drink thing?

 

[jinxii]

I did the one hour, failed it, and realized that it was an awful lot of sugars to put in my body. I eat barely any sugar and low carb. I pretty much ended up demanding an alternative form of testing so I did finger pricks 4x a day for a week combined with two blood tests. They decided I wasn't diabetic, but I have insulin resistance and it's treated the same way. Which was funny... I knew I had that! I was on medication for it prior to pregnancy because I have pcos! So they should have just automatically put me on the monitoring program. I think my doctor just missed it in my chart.

 

[Christie2011]

Does anyone know when the glucose test is done? My doctor has not mentioned it.

I'm apparently getting it done 'early' at 24 weeks. I think this is because I mentioned that I had low iron my last pregnancy and needed extra supplement. And although I was tested early and was fine with my iron, they said they would test me "early" and that turns out to be at 24 weeks and they'll combine the 1 hr glucose test at the same time.

 

[Marumi]

I didn't have any symptoms and still had it. Well, unless a larger fundal height at a midwife check-up is a symptom, because that is what led to the test being done, even though my midwife did urge me to take it at 28 weeks and I didn't.

Yes that is one thing my midwife wants to watch out for and she mentioned there are other indicators and simple tests.

Actually I'm against the idea of skipping if there is no reason to suspect it. I had no reason to suspect having GD in my last pregnancy. No history in the family at all, wasn't in the weight range. My urine samples never showed any sign of it either.

I only had the GTT due to measuring 2 weeks over at 32 weeks, which a lot of midwifes won't even do as it could be nothing. It was due to that scan that I was found to have excess fluid, in the dangerous range, and the GTT was done to find out why it had happened. I was lucky as mild was easily controlled by reducing both sugar and carb intake.

Measuring ahead was one thing my midwife mentioned as well as alternative tests to the Oral Glucose Test.
My diet already matches a diet that would control minor Gestational Diabetes btw. If it was major, according to my midwife there would be signs and symptoms or something out of the ordinary when monitoring me.

The whole idea for the GTT is to find out how the body deals with the sugar overdose. There will be no false positive for those having the 2 hr test, as it's plenty of time for the body to deal with it unless positive for GD, which also works for those with low carb/sugar diets.

Many people had to actually do the home test since they failed the other tests and passed when pricking their own fingers. I told my midwife I'd rather monitor my blood sugar at home. A friend of mine who works at a clinic for diabetics instructed me on what to do and what to watch out for.

Glucola also carries risks...the ingredients are harmful and the test is said to be outdated and inaccurate by many professionals. There are so many better alternatives these days...but this is cheap and quick.

I have collected a few links regarding the issues I mentioned:

Harmful ingredients in Glucola:

"BVO contains bromine, which is known to interfere with thyroid function."

https://avivaromm.com/dont-drink-glucola-gestational-diabetes

https://www.mommypotamus.com/natural-alternatives-to-the-gestational-diabetes-test/


Glucola is outdated, better methods are available:

https://m.care.diabetesjournals.org/content/25/10/1883.long

False Positives for low carbers:

https://robbwolf.com/2013/05/15/6-letter-word/

https://robbwolf.com/2008/06/25/gestational-diabetes/

https://pilatesnutritionist.com/i-failed-the-glucola/

___
I know a thing or two about Bromine. And especially with my past conditions like Hashimotos or a Prolactinoma I would like to avoid it. I'm glad my conditions are gone.

 

[LilPeanuts]

Apparently my doctor says it's not an optional test so I can't refuse it.

 

[Marumi]

Apparently my doctor says it's not an optional test so I can't refuse it.

I think you can request to test at home though by pricking your own finger. I read about it on mothering.com. Doctors tend to act like it is not optional.