Most often, pregnant women face such a study as a glucose tolerance test, or as it is also called the "sugar curve". However, they can appoint it to ladies who are not in a position, and to men. The analysis is necessary in order to find out what the blood glucose level is on an empty stomach and after exercise.
To whom and when the study is scheduled
The need to find out how the body relates to the sugar load, in pregnant women occurs in cases where urine tests are not perfect, the expectant mother has too fast weight gain or blood pressure rises. The sugar curve during pregnancy, the rate of which can be slightly changed, is built several times in order to accurately determine the reaction of the body. However, this study is also recommended for those who have a suspicion of diabetes mellitus or this diagnosis has already been confirmed. It is also prescribed for women diagnosed with polycystic ovaries.
Even if you have relatives in your family,who have diabetes, it is advisable for you to periodically check your blood glucose levels. After all, timely detection of problems will make it possible to manage only preventive measures. For example, if the sugar curve is slightly abnormal, then it is important to control your weight, monitor your diet and exercise. In some cases, this will be quite enough to prevent diabetes, but sometimes there is a reasonable need to use special medicines that will prevent it from developing.
How the analysis is done
The study cannot be called simple, because it requires special preparation and is carried out in several stages - this is the only way to achieve a reliable sugar curve. Test results should only be interpreted by a physician or medical advisor in light of your medical condition, weight, lifestyle, age, and related problems.
For diagnostics, blood is donated several times. Moreover, in some laboratories it is taken from a finger, while others - from a vein. Depending on what kind of blood is being studied, the resulting norms will also differ. The first study is carried out strictly on an empty stomach. It should be preceded by a 12-hour fast, during which only ordinary water can be consumed. However, it is important that the period of abstinence from drinks and food does not exceed 16 hours. After blood sampling, the patient takes 75 grams of glucose dissolved in 200 ml of warm water or tea. Ideally, after this analysisshould be done every 30 minutes for at least two hours. But, as a rule, in laboratories they simply take another sample 30-120 minutes after drinking a sugary liquid.
Preparing for the study
If you are scheduled to test the amount of glucose in the blood, then you should not try to exclude all carbohydrate-rich foods a few days before the test. This may lead to misinterpretation of the results. Preparation for the analysis is as follows. Three days before going to the laboratory, it is necessary to observe the usual way of life and not change food habits. But it is necessary to refrain from the use of medicines, however, any temporary refusal of treatment must be agreed with the doctor.
Note, the "sugar curve" blood test may be unreliable if a woman takes it during critical days. In addition, the results of the study are influenced by the behavior of the patient. So, when carrying out this comprehensive analysis, it is necessary to be in a calm state, physical activity, smoking, stress are prohibited.
Interpretation of results
When evaluating the obtained indicators, it is important to take into account a number of factors that affect the amount of glucose in the blood. So, it is impossible to make a diagnosis of "diabetes mellitus" taking into account only the results of this test. Indeed, the indicators can be affected by forced bed rest preceding the study, various infectious diseases, problems with the gastrointestinal tract, which are characterized by disorderssugar absorption or malignant tumors. Also, the results of the study may be distorted by non-compliance with the established rules for blood sampling or the use of illegal drugs. When using caffeine, adrenaline, morphine, diuretics related to the thiazide series, Difenin, psychotropic drugs or antidepressants, the sugar curve will be unreliable.
Set Norms
If you take the test, then the glucose level should not exceed 5.5 mmol / l for capillary blood and 6.1 for venous. Indicators for the material taken from the finger, within 5, 5-6 (and, accordingly, 6, 1-7 - from a vein) indicate a pre-diabetic state, while they indicate possible violations of glucose tolerance.
With higher results, we are already talking about serious problems with the pancreas, namely, what the sugar curve will be depends on its work. The norm for the glucose level, which is determined after a specified time after the load, should be no more than 7.8 mmol / l, but subject to a blood test from a finger. If the indicator is in the range of 7, 8-11, 1, then we are talking about possible violations, and above 11, 1 - about diabetes. When taking venous blood, the indicators should not exceed 8.6 mmol / l.
Laboratory staff should be aware that if the result of an analysis performed on an empty stomach exceeds 7.8 for capillary and 11.1 for venous blood, then a glucose sensitivity test is prohibited. In such a case, it could becomecause of hyperglycemic coma. If the indicators initially exceed the norm, then it makes no sense to find out what the sugar curve will be. The results will be clear anyway.
Possible deviations
If during the study you received indicators that indicate problems, then it is better to retake the blood. At the same time, it is worth observing all the conditions very carefully: avoid stress and physical exertion on the day of blood sampling, exclude alcohol and drugs a day before the analysis. Treatment can be prescribed only if both tests showed not too good results.
By the way, if a woman is in an interesting position, then it is better to interpret the results with a gynecologist-endocrinologist, only this specialist can assess whether your sugar curve is normal during pregnancy. The norm for women in an interesting position may be slightly different. However, this will not be told in the laboratory. To determine if there are any problems, only a specialist who knows all the features of the work of the body of the expectant mother can.
It should be noted that diabetes is not the only problem that can be determined using a glucose tolerance test. Another deviation from the norm is a decrease in the amount of sugar in the test blood after exercise. This disease is called hypoglycemia, it necessarily requires treatment. After all, it is accompanied by a number of problems such as constant weakness, fatigue, irritability.
