blood glucose test?

I had the one hour blood glucose test done this week. With my first pregnancy I two of the one hour tests done (nothing wrong just a very thurogh (I don't know how to spell that) doctor. Both times (different labs in different towns) had me not eat anything after midnight and then drew my blood, had me drink the yucky orange stuff, wait an hour and then drew my blood again.
This time when I went they didn't say anything about not eating (I didn't just in case though because I didn't want to have to go back) had me drink this yellow stuff and then waited an hour (in the waiting room I wasn't allowed to leave it for anything, except maybe labor).
Which is the normal way to do it?
I just got a call that the levels were high and they want me to do the 3 hour test. I only got a message and wasn't able to talk to the nurse but what does it usualy mean when your levels are high? Is it more likely that I have gestational diabetes? Or that the levels were just.. high? Is there anything I can do between now and then that will help bring the levels down? I don't have another doctor appointment for 2 weeks and they aren't helpful when you call.

TYIA.

O I forgot to mention that I see military doctors that I don't think are the greatest. I've never been told any restrictions or even asked what I do for work. For all they know I lift 50 pound boxes all day. Never measured my cervix. And wanted me to go from 20 weeks to 28 weeks without an ultrasound knowing that I have mono/di. The ultrasound place made me keep my 24 weeks appointment because that was too long inbetween they said.
They are very unprofessional too. I had only been feeling movement on the right side of my stomach and was afraid to call because of "bothering" them. But after a few days almost a week called and they had me go do a nonstress test. The nurse couldn't get baby a to stay on the monitor so she did an ultrasound to find the position of him and couldn't figure it out so she called the doctor in and he looked and told her and on his way out said "great now I'm really going to be late for clinic". So that of course makes me feel like a waste of his time and won't be likely to call if another problem arises. The only other time I called was at 15 weeks on two different days about my cervix hurting really bad and cramping down low. They said this is normal call back if it gets worse. I did and they said this is normal talk to the doctor at your 20 week apointment if it is still happening.

 

SOP for my hospital is no fasting before the 1 hr. Eat normally. You will need to fast for the 3 hr (10 hrs was what I was told). Lots of women fail the 1 hr and go on the pass the 3 hr so don't panic. And even if you do fail that one, rest assured that you'll be ok (take it from a flunkee). I would advise against trying to alter the outcome of the 3 hr by changing your diet too radically. GD is a very treatable thing IF it is detected. If it isn't detected (and you have it) however, it can be dangerous for your babies (and you, too).

As for your medical people, I wish I could help but I know nothing about the military health care system. Sorry to hear they aren't doing so hot for you. :hug: Whatever else, I'd say to stand strong and be an advocate for you and your babies, same as in civilian health care. Educate yourself, ask questions, and INSIST on proper care. Hopefully other military moms will be able to help more.

Good luck w/ your tests and the rest of your care!!! Keep us posted!

Eve

 

I agree with the pp. There are lots of false positives on the 1-hour test, especially when they make you fast beforehand. My doctor's office made me fast, and I failed it miserably (score was 160). The next week I took the 3-hour test and passed it with flying colors. My fasting glucose level and first two readings were so low that the nurse sent me home before the third hour was up and didn't bother drawing blood the final (fourth) time. While I was sitting in the waiting room during the test, I was listening to a podcast about gestational diabetes, and the doctor interviewed during the podcast scoffed at doctors who make patients fast before the 1-hour test. Fasting makes it much much more likely you'll fail it. I was pretty irritated with my doctor. Anyway, as for passing the 3-hour, did they prescribe a special diet for you for the 2 or 3 days preceding the test? They should have. I was on what I called the "meat, milk and cookies" diet, where I ate, well, tons of meat and cookies for three days and almost zero fruits and vegetables. This is called carb-loading and helps eliminate false positives on the 3-hour test.

 

I was not told to fast before the one hour. Just make sure to drink the drink 45 minutes prior to arriving, so they could draw blood exactly on the hour mark.

 

I was told not to fast as well. I could have sworne I fasted with my first pregnancy.

 

I posted a similar question a few days ago, because my doctor told me not to fast but gave me an orange liquid and told me to drink it 45 minutes before my next appointment, and not to eat or drink anything in that 45 minutes. I had always heard that you had to fast all day prior, so I was also confused. But the responses I got seem to indicate that there are two different types of tests: This one that doesn't involve fasting, and then if you get a result that causes concern, they'll test you again with a more sophisticated test that involves fasting all day (or from midnight before, whatever). If you look just a few days ago you'll see my post and the answers, maybe that will help. Good luck!!