Glucose Tolerance Test – If You are Pregnant Your Doctor May Order a Glucose Tolerance Test 

If you are pregnant and are past your 20th week or your doctor considers you at high risk for developing gestational diabetes your doctor may order a glucose tolerance test. This test is performed to see how quickly your body can remove an excessive amount of glucose from the bloodstream.  There are many factors that can put you at risk for developing this disease, which although it will not actually do you any real lasting harm can cause growth and development issues for your unborn child.

The initial glucose tolerance test during pregnancy is called the "Initial Glucose Challenge Test" and starts with the doctor having you drink a very sweet syrupy liquid that is very high in glucose content. After an hour a blood sample will be drawn and sent to the lab to measure your blood glucose level.

If you blood sugar level measures less than 130-140 mg/dL your levels are considered normal and your risk for gestational diabetes minimal.  If the level reads above the 140 mg/dl mark the doctor will order a follow up test before he considers making a diagnosis.

The "Follow Up Glucose Challenge Test” is a little more involved, but is necessary for the doctor to make an informed diagnosis. To take this test you will be asked to fast for at least 8 hours prior to the test and then have your blood sugar level measured to provide a baseline.

You will then be given another drink to take; this one will have even more glucose in it than the first one.  For the next three hours your blood will be drawn once an hour and the blood glucose level checked.  If at least two of the three readings show an impaired glucose tolerance, in other words the readings are above normal you will be diagnosed as having gestational diabetes.

Once you have been diagnosed, your obstetrician will have you come back to his office for frequent checkups in particular during the last trimester to keep an eye on your blood sugar levels. He will also show you how to use a blood sugar monitor to keep an eye on your levels during the day at home. If your blood sugar levels continue to be difficult to keep in normal range, you have a few different options, your doctor may recommend that you take insulin injections for the duration of your pregnancy or you may be able to bring it under control by changing your diet.

Diet can play a major role in keeping your blood sugar levels within normal limits. Making the right food choices not only will help with gestational diabetes, but will help keep you from gaining too much weight while you are pregnant which can lead to other complications. A healthy diet should include plenty of green leafy vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

You should avoid white flours, sugars and foods that have been processes as all of these can cause blood sugar spikes. For more information on diet you should talk to a certified dietician who can help set you up with a diet plan that is tailored to your body.