Blood glucose test during pregnancy. Test, results, standards

The blood glucose test is performed approximately between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. This test is used to detect diabetes, which, if left untreated, poses a threat to the baby and the mother. Before the test, it is advisable to read basic information about what it looks like and what the glucose standards are during pregnancy.

Glucose – test during pregnancy

Pregnancy glucose levels should be monitored throughout pregnancy. Elevated glucose levels in the blood of the expectant mother, i.e. hyperglycemia, can contribute to the development of complications such as: perinatal injuries, polyhydramnios (larger than average amount of amniotic fluid), low Apgar scores, preeclampsia or cesarean section. In addition, gestational diabetes is very dangerous as it can lead to the development of neural tube defects, heart defects and even intrauterine death.

Fasting glucose during pregnancy – standard

The first fasting glucose test during pregnancy is performed to check if the blood glucose concentration during pregnancy is correct. The result is correct if the reading does not exceed 92 mg/dL. If it is between 92 and 125 mg/dL, the physician instructs the patient to perform a 75-g glucose load test, which is usually performed after the 24th week. If the glucose concentration exceeds 126 mg/dl, diabetes is diagnosed and the pregnant woman is immediately referred for diabetes counseling and diet.

Pregnancy glucose test – how to prepare?

A glucose test during pregnancy often raises questions about how to prepare for a correct test result. The glucose test (diabetic curve) is one of the screening tests performed after 24 weeks of pregnancy. There are a number of rules that must be followed to ensure that the result is as reliable as possible:

• Take the test on an empty stomach, in the morning, about 8 hours after your last meal, do not perform any physical activity during the test
• Take a normal diet for three days before the test (150-200g of carbohydrates are recommended)
• A solution of about 200 ml of water from 75 g of dissolved glucose should be drunk within 5 minutes; a few drops of lemon can be added, which does not affect the test result and makes it easier to take a very sweet drink
• The test should be performed when the woman is completely healthy (even a slight infection, stress or medication can falsify the test result)

Glucose test – results

Glucose measurement during pregnancy is performed in three stages. First, blood is taken on an empty stomach, then one hour and two hours after drinking the solution. If after the glucose intake the blood concentration rises and lasts for two hours, it means that the woman has diabetes mellitus during pregnancy. In this case, the future mother will be referred to a specialist in diabetes, where she will receive information about medication and an appropriate diet. If diabetes was first diagnosed during pregnancy, it does not mean that the woman will have to struggle with it for the rest of her life after giving birth.

Glucose test – standards

The normal glucose level in pregnancy should not exceed 180 mg/dl after one hour of administration of the solution and 140 mg/dl after two hours. When tested on an empty stomach, it should not exceed 100 mg/dl.

Glucose in urine during pregnancy

Urine glucose during pregnancy is routinely determined during general urine tests. In most cases, fasting blood glucose levels are also determined at the same time. This ensures that the test results are reliable. Determination of glucose concentration in the urine may be particularly important in this case:

• Diabetes symptoms such as: increased thirst, weight gain, fatigue and a strong urge to urinate
• elevated glucose levels in fasting blood
• Control of previously diagnosed gestational diabetes

Urine glucose levels are determined by collecting a urine sample from the mid-fasting stream. For the test to be meaningful, no beverages or food should be consumed prior to sample collection. In healthy people, sugar in urine is always an abnormal result, in pregnant women, the so-called physiological sugar in urine is quite common, which is due to the naturally lowered threshold of blood glucose, which is below 150 mg.