OGTT Test: How To Detect Gestational Diabetes? – Also called gestational diabetes, gestational diabetes is exclusive by increased blood sugar levels first diagnosed during pregnancy. Doctor Live provide an update on her screening.
Gestational diabetes today affects 5% of pregnant women in France, but fortunately is transient and disappears typically after childbirth. The OGTT test can detect it.
Table of Contents
What Is The OGTT Test?
OGTT stands for ‘ oral induced hyperglycemia ‘. This screening is castoff to check the pregnant woman’s blood sugar level, or glycemia, to check that it is normal. This test consists of several blood samples, first on an empty stomach, then after absorbing a certain quantity of glucose.
When to Do It?
Screening for gestational diabetes is necessary for women with one or more risk factors for this condition. It passed out in the first trimester of pregnancy by taking a blood test with the dosage of fasting blood sugar, then between the 24th and 28th week of amenorrhea, that is, during the 5th month of pregnancy. The main risk factors for gestational diabetes are:
- Late pregnancy: indeed, the risk of a glucose regulation disorder may increase with age,
- Overweight, i.e. having a body mass index greater than or equal to 25 kg/m2,
- A history of diabetes in close family members (father, mother, brothers or sisters),
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal imbalance impacting reproductive hormones but also the regulation of metabolism,
- The development of gestational diabetes in previous pregnancies,
- The delivery of a macrosomia child, that is to say, weighing more than 4 kg at term in earlier pregnancies.
Suppose you have no risk factor for gestational diabetes. In that case, testing for sugar in the urine by urine dipstick is, in any case, planned during the first gynaecological consultation during your pregnancy, then during its monthly follow-up. However, this should not cause stress: gestational diabetes affects only 5% to 14% of pregnant women in France. The vast majority of pregnancies, therefore, occur without developing this disorder.
How To Do It?
The search for sugar in the urine, or glycosuria, is planned during the monthly consultations for monitoring the pregnancy. This simple test ended during a gynaecological consultation: you need to urinate in a sterile bottle. Reactive strips can then detect the presence of sugars. If your doctor notices the presence of sugar in your urine or if you have one or more of the risk factors already mentioned.
He will recommend that you divide for gestational diabetes and give you a prescription to present in the laboratory for analysis of your choice. Do not falter in asking your doctor for advice if you do not know which laboratory to carry out this test. We also recommend that you make an appointment with the laboratory beforehand. It is also possible to carry out this test without a medical prescription, but the costs incurred will not be reimbursed by the Health Insurance and remain your responsibility.
How Is The Oral Glucose Lenience Test (OGTT) Performed?
The test stood approved out in a medical analysis laboratory. You will essential to fast for 10 to 12 hours before it and plan to stay in the laboratory for the test duration (allow 2 to 3 hours). The screening takes place as follows:
- A first blood test on an empty stomach;
- The ingestion of 75g of sugar;
- A 2nd blood test, 1 hour after the sugar intake;
- A 3rd blood test, 2 hours after the sugar intake.
Each blood taster is busy measuring the blood sugar level.
Does The OGTT Test Cause Side Effects?
Screening for gestational diabetes is entirely painless since it simply consists of ingesting a sugary solution and several blood tests. However, it can be unpleasant for you to remain on an empty stomach, to submit to various blood samples, or to drink this solution which is very high in sugar. During the screening, if you feel weak or nauseous, you can tell the medical staff on site: they will be able to ensure that the screening goes as well as possible. If possible and you feel the need, do not hesitate to ask a loved one to accompany you: their presence can reassure you, relax you given the test,
This test does not present any medical risk, either for the mother or for her child, and can detect the presence of gestational diabetes, which, if not treated, can have severe consequences for you and your child. Baby.
How To Interpret The Results?
The OGTT test result is negative if none of the three blood glucose values exceeds the following thresholds:
- Fasting blood glucose: 5.1 mmol/L (0.92 g/L).
- Blood sugar at 1 hour: 10 mmol/L (1.80 g/L).
- Blood sugar at 2 hours: 8.5 mmol/L (1.53g/L).
The results are available between 12h to 48h depending on the laboratory. If you need it quickly, do not hesitate to specify it when making your appointment. You can then take them to your doctor or gynaecologist so that he can confirm the presence of diabetes or not.
Positive OGTT Test, What To Do?
If your results are positive and detect the presence of gestational diabetes, try not to be alarmed: simple lifestyle and dietary measures can help you switch. Around are also insulin-based treatments if your doctor considers them necessary.
The latter will also prescribe blood glucose tests for the rest of your pregnancy to monitor the progress of your gestational diabetes. Having a healthy and balanced diet is the first simple measure you can put in place: it is not to eliminate your carbohydrate intake but rather to control the quantity consumed and distribute the information several times. During the day. Unless there is a contraindication, having moderate but regular physical activity during pregnancy also helps regulate your blood sugar. Doing sports will also allow you to clear your head and sleep better. If your blood sugar is not normalized ten days after implementing these measures, treatment with insulin will offered to you by your doctor. Rest assured: this type of treatment ran in only one in four cases of gestational diabetes.
If your gestational diabetes is stable and you have no other risk factors, your pregnancy follow-up is considered normal, and you are one of the healthy pregnant women. On the other hand, if you have one or more risk factors, your medical follow-up will closed, and your doctor may prescribe additional tests to ensure that your gestational diabetes has no repercussions for you or your child Ultrasounds, analysis of the baby’s heartbeat, regular blood tests or urinalysis
The GPs.Gynaecologists or endocrinologists on Life can help you put. Together a Specific diet to keep your blood sugar in check and exercise. Routine to stay active and feel great throughout your pregnancy. They can also help you refill your insulin prescription if your GP is unavailable
READ MORE:-How to stop snoring?