Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

Posted by RachRobin (270 days ago)

Hi there,
I am 18 weeks along and have just started going to Tsan Yuk for antenatal care.
They have booked me in for an oral glucose tolerance test - on the booking sheet it says I am "invited to take the test due to my maternal age". I am 34 years old, first baby and have no problems with health or pregnancy so far, no family history of diabetes etc.
Can anyone tell me how necessary this test is? Is it mandatory for most pregnant mothers? Do they do this as a standard test in the private system as well?
I am thinking of giving it a miss - I just don't fancy not being allowed to eat for 15+ hours (food is my god at the moment!!) and have two blood tests in one morning - unless there is a good reason to!
Any thoughts?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

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Posted by cd (270 days ago)

ioi HAD TO TAKE ONE

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by cd (270 days ago)

oops, pressed the wrong button.. I had totake one with both pregnancies I had here. I was told it was because baby number 3 had been big 9lb14oz, and they were worried about diabetes, even though I had no history of it. Anyway baby 4 was also over 9lbs, so they made me do one again for number 5. I tried to tell them that I just had big babies. Both tests were normal. I have a very sweet tooth, but I have to say that drinking the glucose is one of the hardest things I've done, its pretty disgusting and very hard to keep down. I've never heard of gestional diabetes being to do with maternal age. How about you suggest to them that you will do the test at a later stage if there are any other indications that there could be problems i.e. sugar in the urine etc.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by hkexpat2007 (270 days ago)

It's quite standard in certain countries to screen blood sugar level for all pregnancies, regardless of the age. I wouldn't let that age comment get to you. I took it at the Queen Mary Hospital. If your test is in the morning, you'd just delay breakfast until after the test is over.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by cara (269 days ago)

in th epublic system it is pretty much compulsory.
they always conduct the tests in the morning. you have your first blood test at 9 then again at 11...

the drink is a warm concoction of liquid sugar water.

don't let the age comment get to you. i had to do mine early because of my "obesity" the first time round...i'd was 140lbs and had already lost weight due to severe morning sickness!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by cd (269 days ago)

In the UK though, the urine would always be checked at every visit for sugars and protein, a glucose intolerance test would only be given if all the other signs gave an indication that there could be a problem.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by RachRobin (269 days ago)

Thanks everyone.
I have had my urine checked at every check up since I was 10 weeks, all fine. I am not bothered about the age comment (it's been made a lot, especially given it's my first baby!) I just thought that if that is the ONLY reason they want me to take it, I might leave it out.
It also crossed my mind that given Tsan Yuk is a training hospital, they may make it mandatory simply for research - i.e. "we tested 1000 women and the results were......".
I think I might give this one a miss and do it later on if they force the issue!
Thanks again!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by cara (269 days ago)

you still check urine at every test in HK too, they just do it as a precaution...

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by axptguy38 (269 days ago)

Standard test in the US. My wife "failed" her first time so she had to take the "Extended Director's Cut" the next week. Three hours with four blood tests!

Mostly you'll be bored. Bring a book.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by cara (268 days ago)

is that all???

not to out blood test your wife, i got an extended version at QMH... it took all day (i was admitted) starting before b'fast (fasting) and ending at 11pm....i think i got it taken 7 or 8 times... it was before and after every meal as well as once before bed....

yikes, i looked like a heroin addict with the track marks up and down my arms!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by TheCuteOne (266 days ago)

They usually do the glucose tolerance test around 25 weeks + in pregnancy as if you are developing gestational diabetes that's when it becomes an issue. I didn't think it was that big of a deal as you go in in the morning (and you can have it done independently as several labs in HK for a fraction of the price and the results are valid at all hospitals) after skipping breakfast drink the really sugary water, wait a couple of hours and come back for a retest of your blood and urine afterward. The urine tests they do at your regular checkups don't just check your sugar level in your blood --they are looking at things like protein level too as they're keeping an eye out to make sure your blood pressure doesn't shoot up like crazy all of sudden.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by cara (265 days ago)

a fraction of the price???
it is free at the public hospitals, isn't it? if not then it's no more than $100...i can't see any private facilities offering it for less than that.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by RachRobin (265 days ago)

The cost is only $60 at Tsan Yuk.
I decided not to go yet - I am only 19 weeks along today. All the research I did on the net says it is best done at 22-24 weeks anyway.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by exeter (256 days ago)

I failed my oral gtt for all three of my pregnancies. In each of the pregnancies, my urine tests always showed no glucose, so it's possible to have a problem without it showing up in your urine. The first pregnancy, it was ordered by my private OB/GYN at the usual 22wks. The second pregnancy, they tested me earlier, I think at 17 weeks, because of my past history. 16wks this pregnancy.

(I am based in Hong Kong)