Glucose Tolerance Test in Pregnancy. Glucose Tolerance Test: Prices

Pregnancy is both a pleasant and difficult time, when the body is tested for strength. According to specialists, approximately 4% of women after 16 weeks face such a problem as gestational diabetes mellitus. It is noteworthy that this pathology can manifest itself in an absolutely healthy lady. To diagnose it, modern medicine suggests using the so-called glucose tolerance test in pregnancy.

What is Gestational Diabetes Mellitus?

According to doctors, this problem can be dangerous not only for the woman herself, but also for the baby in the womb. With diabetes in the bloodstream of the fetus directly from the mother gets glucose, and not insulin itself. As you know, the baby's pancreas begins to form only in the second trimester. She immediately has to work in a strengthened mode to somewhat lower the sugar in her mother's blood . The load on the gland of the child as a result leads to the development of hyperinsulinemia. As a consequence, the baby is born with a low sugar level, his breath can be broken. As for women themselves, who neglect timely treatment during pregnancy, they have problems with vision and kidney function.

Who is at risk?

The likelihood of the onset of gestational diabetes mellitus is several times higher with the following factors:

• Hereditary predisposition;
• Cardiovascular diseases ;
• Overweight;
• Violations at the level of carbohydrate metabolism.

When a glucose tolerance test is administered during pregnancy?

The difficulty of diagnosing gestational diabetes is that it does not manifest itself with any external signs, but at the same time, the sugar level is increasing, and its indices are decreasing very slowly.

In this case, the most reliable method of diagnosis is a glucose tolerance test. Depending on its length, there are one-, two- and three-hour variants.

Today, practically in all women's consultations, a glucose tolerance test for pregnancy is mandatory. Experts recommend that this study be conducted at a period of 28 weeks. However, if a woman is at risk, the analysis can be carried out earlier.

In addition, the test is mandatory in the following cases:

• All women who have been diagnosed with diabetes in previous pregnancies;
• Women with a high body mass index (more than 30);
• Women who have had children weighing more than 4 kg;
• Future women in labor with diseases of the endocrine system.

If the test for glucose tolerance gave a positive result, the woman is monitored by the doctors until the end of her pregnancy.

Preliminary preparation

First of all, it should be noted that the result of this analysis will be maximally informative only if the woman takes into account all the recommendations described below.

The test is done only on an empty stomach and in the morning. On the eve of the evening, a light supper with the use of sour-milk dishes is allowed. Since morning it is impossible to smoke, drink alcohol, take any medications.

In addition, to hand over the glucose tolerance test during pregnancy is allowed only to absolutely healthy ladies. If a woman has even a slight malaise, it is better to postpone the visit to the doctor. Otherwise, the results may be somewhat distorted.

The cost of this study may be slightly different. So, in some medical institutions the final price varies from 750 to 900 rubles. The result of the test, as a rule, is known already the next day. The cost of the analysis includes sampling of the biomaterial, glucose itself and directly research.

How is the glucose tolerance test performed?

How to take it right? In fact, everything is very simple, it is necessary to follow all the recommendations listed below.

The research itself, as a rule, is carried out in the morning hours and must be performed on an empty stomach. Blood is collected from the finger or from the vein. If the sugar level on the empty stomach does not exceed 6.7 mmol / l, the woman is allowed to drink glucose dissolved in the most ordinary water. For an hour test, 50 g of glucose is diluted in 300 ml of liquid, 75 g for a two-hour test, and 100 g for a three-hour test. As a result, very sweet water is obtained. To prevent the occurrence of vomiting, some ladies add a little citric acid to the solution.

This rather simple procedure allows you to determine how the body reacts to the "sugar" load. That's why the simplest glucose tolerance test is used in pregnancy. The norms of blood sugar level should not be very different. To be more precise, immediately after the intake of sweet water, glucose values increase, after an hour they decrease slightly, and after 60 minutes they reach the initial parameters. If the second test shows that the glucose level is still at a sufficiently high level, we can talk about gestational diabetes.

After several hours (the time depends on which glucose tolerance test was chosen), a repeated blood sampling is performed. Until this time, the pregnant woman is recommended to be at rest. For example, you can lie down, read a book. Physical stress (even the most common walking tour) forces the body to expend energy, which directly reduces blood glucose. As a result, the result may be unreliable. In addition, during the analysis itself, you must stop smoking.

Interpretation of the results

If you were asked to take a glucose tolerance test during pregnancy, the results should normally be as follows:

• On an empty stomach - 5.1 mmol / l;
• 60 minutes after loading with glucose - 10.0 mmol / l;
• After 2 hours - up to 8.5 mmol / l;

If the results do not correspond to the normative indicators, the doctor, as a rule, appoints a second study. It is held a few days later. Only after two positive results the doctor can make the final diagnosis. On the basis of only the first test, it is incorrect to talk about the presence of the problem, since the future woman in childbirth could simply violate the basic rules of preparation for the test. As a consequence, the examination shows a false positive result.

Contraindications

• Early toxicosis.
• Diseases of inflammatory or infectious nature.
• Exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis.
• The need to comply with bed rest.
• The gestation period is more than 32 weeks.

Further tactics of pregnancy management

After the final confirmation of the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes treatment. During pregnancy, only insulin is allowed. Any hypoglycemic preparations are categorically contraindicated. Scientists have proven that these medications can adversely affect the development of the fetus inside the womb.

In addition, a woman is recommended individually a special diet, which implies the exclusion of all easily assimilated carbohydrates (chocolate, baking, cakes, etc.). Only healthy, and most importantly, proper nutrition. It is equally important to constantly monitor the current level of glucose in the blood. In case of excessive overestimation, it is recommended to call an ambulance.

It is important to note that gestational diabetes most often passes without a trace immediately after childbirth. That is why doctors today prefer not to prescribe any specific treatment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we note that the glucose tolerance test is a rather informative method that allows to confirm the presence of any violations in the carbohydrate metabolism, including in women in the position. We hope that all the information presented in this article will be really useful for you.