When is ogtt done in pregnancy

Having gestational diabetes also means you're at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. During your first antenatal appointment also called a booking appointment at around week 8 to 12 of your pregnancy, your midwife or doctor will ask you some questions to determine whether you're at an increased risk of gestational diabetes.

If you have 1 or more risk factors for gestational diabetes you should be offered a screening test. It involves having a blood test in the morning, when you have not had any food or drink for 8 to 10 hours though you can usually drink water, but check with the hospital if you're unsure.

You're then given a glucose drink. After resting for 2 hours, another blood sample is taken to see how your body is dealing with the glucose. The OGTT is done when you're between 24 and 28 weeks pregnant. If you've had gestational diabetes before, you'll be offered an OGTT earlier in your pregnancy, soon after your booking appointment, then another OGTT at 24 to 28 weeks if the first test is normal.

If you have gestational diabetes, the chances of having problems with your pregnancy can be reduced by controlling your blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels may be reduced by changing your diet and exercise routine. However, if these changes don't lower your blood sugar levels enough, you will need to take medicine as well. This may be tablets or insulin injections. You'll also be more closely monitored during your pregnancy and birth to check for any potential problems.

If you have gestational diabetes, it's best to give birth before 41 weeks. Induction of labour or a caesarean section may be recommended if labour does not start naturally by this time. Earlier delivery may be recommended if there are concerns about your or your baby's health or if your blood sugar levels have not been well controlled.

Overview The glucose tolerance test, also known as the oral glucose tolerance test, measures your body's response to sugar glucose. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Glucose tests. Lab Tests Online. Accessed Jan.

Gestational diabetes. Mayo Clinic. American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes — Diabetes Care. Masharani U. Diabetes mellitus and hypoglycemia. In: Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment New York, N. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice Bulletin No. Gestational diabetes starts when the body is unable to make all of the insulin it needs for pregnancy. Low insulin levels, combined with hormonal changes, can lead to insulin resistance.

When this happens, high levels of glucose build up in the blood. Doctors usually recommend a glucose tolerance test between weeks 24—28 of pregnancy. Those with a higher risk may need a test earlier in the pregnancy. Risk factors for gestational diabetes include :. A study published in notes that gestational diabetes affects 14 percent of pregnancies every year.

If results suggest that blood sugar levels are high, the doctor may recommend the following:. Most people do not experience any side effects from glucose testing, and serious complications are rare. As it involves fasting and blood testing, the glucose tolerance test might cause nausea, light-headedness, shortness of breath, and sweating in some people.

The glucose tolerance test is not the only way to diagnose diabetes. Doctors use other tests to diagnose and monitor the condition. This test measures average blood glucose over 2—3 months. It shows the percentage of blood sugar attached to hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in the red blood cells. Normal levels are 5. This test measures blood glucose levels while a person is fasting.

The person will not be able to eat or drink anything, except sips of water, for at least 8 hours beforehand. A physician takes a blood sample at any time, and not necessarily when fasting.

People who have serious diabetes symptoms may have this test. People with diabetes should monitor their blood glucose levels regularly, using a home testing kit or continuous glucose monitor. Glucose tolerance testing is an important diagnostic tool for identifying diabetes.

Current guidelines recommend regular screening for people from the age of 45 years, or younger for those with risk factors, such as obesity, previous gestational diabetes, or a family history of diabetes. Hyperglycemia is a term for high blood sugar levels. It can indicate diabetes and cause severe health problems without careful blood sugar management.

A blood sugar chart can help a person know if their glucose levels are within a suitable range.