Test for GD?

I have a couple of questions about gestational diabetes. First of all, which week are you usually tested for it? Can you be tested early for it? If you test positive for GD, does that mean you may have had diabetes before and not realize it?

I am asking b/c I really haven't been feeling right, even before I was pregnant. I know something is wrong, but doctors have not been able to diagnose it. I don't think I have been tested for diabetes, so I just think I should probably be tested for it and the sooner the better.

TIA

Re: Test for GD?

i am being tested early - at my 16 week appointment (which is Monday). The reason for this is because of my family history - my mom is diabetic, my dad is borderline, everyone on my mom's side of the family is diabetic and my mom had it when she was pregnant with both my brother & i.

I do not believe that if you have GD - you have had diabetes the whole time - i have been getting tested once a year for YEARS for diabetes (again, because of my strong family history)...and have always come up negative.

Re: Test for GD?

Re: Test for GD?

Posted by maiden

Posted by davenjess

i am being tested early - at my 16 week appointment (which is Monday). The reason for this is because of my family history - my mom is diabetic, my dad is borderline, everyone on my mom's side of the family is diabetic and my mom had it when she was pregnant with both my brother & i.

I do not believe that if you have GD - you have had diabetes the whole time - i have been getting tested once a year for YEARS for diabetes (again, because of my strong family history)...and have always come up negative.

Are you doing the sugary drink test? Is that the only test for diabetes? Good luck Monday

Re: Test for GD?

Unless you have a specific reason for them doing the test early (like Jess does), then it's typically done around 26 - 28 weeks.

I have GD, but did not have diabetes before. It does put you at a slightly higher risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes later on in life, but it doesn't mean that will definately happen. If you do have GD, and you get pregnant again, they MAY test you earlier the next time you get pregnant.

Re: Test for GD?

Any ideas why the test for GD is different than for non-GD diabetes?

Re: Test for GD?

If you have a physical every year they test you regularly for diabetes (or at least it is SUPPOSED to be a routine test your PCP should be doing)- it is done with your regular annual bloodwork. Which is why they ask you to fast (not eat for 8 hours before your bloodwork) they do a fasting blood level test. But to test for GD they do the glucose test. Some people have it early if they have high risk factors for GD - otherwise they normally test around 26-28 weeks. If you are feeling "off" I would mention it to your OB and see what he/she thinks.

Re: Test for GD?

I was tested early for GD at my 16 week appointment because I had GD with my last pregnancy. And I have failed my 1 hour so they scheduled me for a 3 hour test on the 14th of January. Normally they test for GD around 26-28 weeks depends on the doctor. They say your at a higher risk to get GD if diabetes runs in the family or if you had GD with another pregnancy...

Re: Test for GD?

im being tested this Tuesday at 16 weeks due to having it in the past with dd. but usally it is around the 27-29 week mark

Re: Test for GD?

i had GD my first pregnancy. Second time around i was tested at 11 weeks just to see how i was doing. failed the 1 hour (although i don't think it was overly accurate the way the lab did it... they had my fasting number reversed from my 1 hour post number on the forms) but either way, i failed the test... i never did the 3 hour, went straight to the diabetic counselor and an endocrinologist. it was easier. i knew what i had to do, i had done it before.

and no i was not diabetic before i was pregnant in either case. although they do think i have a strong chance of getting type II as i get older since i already had GD twice.

you can definitely be tested early, just ask for it.