Gestational Diabetes?

I apologize ahead of time if this is confusing. I myself am very confused! I had my fasting glucose test on Saturday. I got a blood draw at 11:30am. Per their requirements I then went and ate a banana, 1/2 cup of cheerios, 1/2c of skim, & 2 pieces of toast w/ butter and jelly. I was done eating by 1:15pm. They took blood at 2:15pm and 3:15pm. I got my results back yesterday. Now I'm not sure what this means but I am supposed to be below 100 and my 1hr draw came back at 122 and my 2hr draw came back at 78. Now they want me to start checking my blood sugars and take a class on how to eat. I am frustrated because they didn't test me a 2nd time and now I am going to have my food restricted even more than it already is. I am sooo close to just going on a liquid diet and say screw food altogether! What should I do?! I don't feel different. I don't feel like I have diabetes. Should I feel different? Would I be able to tell if I had high blood sugar? I am just so worried because I don't have many things I can eat as it is and I have read that having gestational diabetes can make you high risk and you may also have a very large baby which could lead to a C-section. My appointment w/ the Endocrinologist is not until next Friday. I guess I'm just worried because I don't know much about this.

-Ashlie

I don't know much about the gestational version but have several type 1 diabetics in my family. Did they tell you what to eat for that meal between the blood draws? Almost everything that you ate there would make ANYONE's blood sugar sky rocket - but yours did what I think it should do - BS went high, pancreas kicked in and produced insulin to lower it - 78 is good (a bit low actually) Carbs make your blood sugars go up quickly then plummet. Maybe see if they will let you do the test again - this time eat a high protein, low carb meal and I bet that you are right in range!

Liz

They actually gave me a meal that I had to eat. What I listed is what they made me eat for the test. So if I do the test again I'm sure I would have to eat the same things again...

Your 2 hour draw is perfect.  You should be under 130-140 at two hours after eating, which obviously you were.  I think your doctor might be freaking out for nothing...maybe call your PCP if you had this done at an OB/GYN and see what they think...

demand to be retested.

I don't think your doc is taking your altered plumbing into consideration and your numbers aren't bad at 2hrs. If you eat a big carby meal it gets to your intestines a lot faster than someone with a normal stomach so your blood sugar goes up quite a bit more dramatically. I would consider talking to your surgeon about how gestational diabetes testing results may be different for someone with RNY. If your surgeon has had a few preggy patients he/she will probably know a bit about it.

Otherwise demand a retest.

Even if you have gestational diabetes, if it is well managed you will most likely not have an overly large baby. My mom had it with both me and my brother and we were both on the small side actually (he was just under 6 lbs, I was 3 wks premature and right at 5)

All I did so far was a fasting glucose. I could not eat after 9 pm and I got there at 7 am. Man was that hard when I eat every 2-3 hours to feel normal. Hope they let you test with a normal meal. That sounds a little strange to me. I would just ask for a different test.

Hi,

Usually  at least 2 of your numbers need to be elevated to be considered having GD. I had it twice it was not that bad.  The diet is not that different from what we eat now. Monitoring your blood sugars at home is not time consuming and not painful.

It is best to keep close watch on this, if your blood sugars are not controlled by diet they will give you insulin(also not that bad).

We all do what's best for the little one.

I had a IV glucose tolerance test yesterday.  They give the glucose IV, I wanted to know if I could tolerate the full glucose load, as I knew I would not be able to eat or drink that amount of carbs without dumping. You could always ask for that test.

What was your fasting blood sugar?

I go to an intermed. care specialist...they are VERY strict on BS.  I did BS for 2 weeks, and they are demaning that I take them randomly still.  I had a few elevated ones after carb heavy meals...which I know I shouldnt be eating anyways.  I have just tried to go back to my RNY style and add eating more often into it.  For example, way less carbs, more protiends, and eating snakcs.  It helped my BS instantly- controlled within normal limits (by a lot).  Dont go on a liquid diet...not good for your baby.  Good luck- and I still think making you eat all of those carbs is unfair given the way WE absorb food- my god I probably would have vomitted right there.  Get another test done, or maybe think about finding someone with more experience with WLS patients.  (When I had mine done, they told me to eat what I would usual eat, not what they wanted me to eat)

This test is supposed to be after a 'normal' meal. you have really no protein in there. It has to be balanced....there are way too many carbs in there, so I think they are misled on what you should be eating. That being said fasting should be under 105....one hour after a meal should be under 135. With GD it is super important to balance good carbs with protein. It is really important not to do the liquid only thing. Ketosis is super bad for baby. So, eat a few crackers with peanut butter, or a corn tortilla with melted cheese and salsa....or a 1/2 a sandwich on whole grain bread. Balancing those meals and snacks will keep your sugars in check. Also, taking a few brisk walks a day will help 'immensely!' I am really disappointed in the test they gave you. It is kind of dangerous to carb up like that and then have a low of 78....whenever I get under 80 my body starts to react and not in a good way. I have battled type 2 diabetes and gd for a long time...so pm me if you have more questions okay. You are gonna be fine. Take a deep breath! Shari