Gray Area

Reading a little more about this GTT (glucose tolerance test). I was so afraid and angry. I decided to get educated, because knowledge is power. I didn't understand why I had to take this test again. I thought it meant I had gestational diabetes. It turns out that it is actually just a gray area.

Straight from Baby Center's article on the GTT (read the full article)

What is an abnormal blood glucose level?

     Different practitioners use different standards for determining whether your level is too high. Some will say that if your one-hour blood sugar level is 140 milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood plasma (mg/dL) or more, you need to have the glucose tolerance test. Others put the cut-off at 130 mg/dL to catch more women who may have gestational diabetes, even though there are likely to be more false positives this way.

     If your blood glucose level for this test is higher than 200 mg/dL, most practitioners will consider you diabetic and you won't be required to take the glucose tolerance test. But any score between 140 and 200 means that you'll have to take the three-hour glucose tolerance test for a definite diagnosis.

So I have fallen in this 140-200 range and its enough concern for the GTT to be taken. I am angry because I was not told to fast for the first test. I am sure if I was, then I would not have fallen in this gray area. But I can't be mad any more. 

The 3-hr test will suck. Fasting for 12 hours (which starts here in an hour and a half for me). When I arrive, they will stick me and draw a sample. Then I get samples drawn again at the 1, 2, and 3 hour marks. I will either have to drink a more concentrated version of the glucose medicine or a larger dose. Either way, I welcome it. I'm not allowed to even drink water, so I will be ready for anything at that point. 

Further information found in the article:

If one of the readings is abnormal, you may have to take another test later in your pregnancy. Or your practitioner may ask you to make some changes in your diet and exercise routine. If two or more of your readings are abnormal, you'll be diagnosed with gestational diabetes and you'll need to talk to your practitioner about a treatment plan. This chart shows the levels that the American Diabetes Association considers abnormal at each interval of the test:
Interval Abnormal reading

• Fasting 95 mg/dl or higher
• One hour 180 mg/dl or higher
• Two hours 155 mg/dl or higher
• Three hours 140 mg/dl or higher

As if that's not annoying enough, if I am diagnosed with gestational diabetes, I will have to take another GTT 6 weeks after giving birth. 

In any case, I will know Thursday whether or not I have it. And if I do, then I get treatment. And if I don't, then I have nothing to worry about. 

Now that I am informed, I can go back to being annoyed. Annoyed because my arm is already bruised from the first test. Annoyed because I have to be there for 3 hours. I'm also a little on edge because I've had heartburn all day, which never puts me in a good mood hehe. Oh well. 

I just want this all to be over with. It will be. In 16 and a half hours, it will be over. And I will know what the results are on Thursday. I'm not scared or afraid any more. I can handle whatever comes my way. I just hope that tonight and tomorrow go quickly :)