Glucose Tolerance Test  - GTT

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What is a Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)?
  • A simple test carried out during pregnancy to find out if you have gestational diabetes. This is usually a temporary form of diabetes with high blood glucose levels, especially after food.
  •  In women found to have gestational diabetes the same test is used six weeks after delivery of the baby to check whether diabetes is still present. It is very important that you attend.  
You are at higher risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy if
  • You  have had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
  • You have a family history of diabetes          
  • You previously had a big baby; over 4.5 kg (10 lbs)  
  • You are of South Asian, Middle Eastern, African or AfroCaribbean origin 
  •  ​​​​You are over 35 years old
  • You have had a stillbirth or repeated miscarriages  
  • You have a Body Mass Index over 30
  •   You are known to have Polycystic Ovaries
  • You have extra fluid around the baby 
Where to get help:                         

Your Diabetes team contact -                                  

Name:…………………………................................................

Your Midwifery Team contact-  

Name:………………………………………………………........

Local hospital contact no.-                                     

Name:……………………….....................................................

What does the test involve?  

  Overnight, as advised by your team, do not eat any food  and only drink water. Drink enough to avoid feeling thirsty.                                                    

  • Do not eat any breakfast or drink anything other than water on the morning of the test.  
  • On arrival, a first blood sample will be taken.               
  • You will then be asked to have a glucose drink. You need to drink this within five minutes. 
  • You then need to sit for two hours in the department and refrain from smoking.                                         
  • After this time a final blood sample will be taken. The test is then completed and you can go home.                          
What are the test results and what do they mean?  

During Pregnancy

 The level of glucose in your blood before and after the glucose drink will show whether you have ‘gestational diabetes’ (diabetes in pregnancy) or not.

 Any high glucose level in a GTT during pregnancy is called gestational diabetes 

After your pregnancy

The GTT will be repeated and the exact condition you have will be determined from the table below. 

Glucose test results

 

 

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