Gestational Diabetes Test

Depending on risk factors, the doctor will decide when you need to be checked for diabetes. If you are at higher risk, the blood glucose level may be checked at your first prenatal visit. If your test results are normal, you will be checked again sometime between weeks 24 and 28 of your pregnancy.

Depending on the risk and your test results, you may have one or more of the following tests:

Fasting blood glucose or random blood glucose test: When plasma glucose level is >126 mg/dl or when random plasma glucose >200 mg/dl is confirmed on a subsequent day then the woman is at risk to develop GDM. Hence, you will be suggested by your doctor to go for some confirmatory tests.

Screening glucose challenge test: It is a preliminary screening test, which is performed between 26-28 weeks. This test will diagnose whether diabetes exists or not by indicating whether or not the body is using glucose. The Glucose Challenge Screening is now considered to be a standard test performed during the second trimester of pregnancy.

Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): Women who are considered at risk for gestational diabetes are being asked to go for this test. The glucose challenge is performed by giving 1.76 oz of glucose drink and then drawing a blood sample an hour later and measuring the level of blood glucose present. Women with a blood sugar level greater than 140 mg/dl may have gestational diabetes, and require a follow up test called a 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

According to ADA following values are considered to be abnormal for the OGTT:

• Fasting Blood Glucose Level≥95 mg/dl
• 1 Hour Blood Glucose Level≥180 mg/dl
• 2 Hour Blood Glucose Level≥155 mg/dl
• 3 Hour Blood Glucose Level≥140 mg/dl