Hi all, I have been diagnosed with GD at 24 weeks (am now 33 weeks) and my urine always tested positive for sugar (glucose+++ which was high) on each of my antenatal visits, but then when I self-tested my BSL using a glucose meter immediately afterwards it always showed up as low (5 or 4 mmol or even lower). I thought the reason for the sugar in urine is because the blood glucose is high in the first place and that's why it "spilled" over into the urine. I'm really perplexed by this. Any advice?
Gestational Diabetes: glucose in urine but BSL low help!
- Thread starter GDE
- Start Date
I know that with keytones the testing sticks for urine can only tell you what was in the urine in the previous 2 hours so wont give you an accurate reading per se. Dont know if this might be the same with glucose testing via urine strips but maybe some of the longer standing diabetics might be along to tell more
Maybe test at different times and see if your readings vary
Maybe test at different times and see if your readings vary
how are you controlling the GD, I had GD and found my specialist midwife very helpful with any questions I had, you may want to discuss with them before you start worrying to much about it. Sorry I can't answer anything specific but would worry about giving you incorrect info.
GDE said:
Urine tests usually only tell you that your BG was high some time ago. However some people seem to have low kidney thresholds and will spill glucose at much lower numbers than others.
Your best bet would be to do some blood tests at your peaks, which are most likely to be an hour or so after you eat. BG can go up and come down again within a couple of hours if you still have sufficient pancreatic capacity.
Hi again:
Thank you all so much for answering my question; I test my BSL on average twice a day. And very occasionally have readings of 7 mmol or slightly over (and an 8.7 mmol once, :shock: ). But mostly it hovers between the high 3 mmols to the low 6 mmols. I have also tested an hour after meals, 2 hours after meals and somewhere in-between. I guess the best thing to do would be to ask my diabetic consultant as to why this happens so often (with the urine tests) as my ketones was also tested negative.
Thank you all so much for answering my question; I test my BSL on average twice a day. And very occasionally have readings of 7 mmol or slightly over (and an 8.7 mmol once, :shock: ). But mostly it hovers between the high 3 mmols to the low 6 mmols. I have also tested an hour after meals, 2 hours after meals and somewhere in-between. I guess the best thing to do would be to ask my diabetic consultant as to why this happens so often (with the urine tests) as my ketones was also tested negative.
Hi,
When ladies are pregnant they do have a lowered renal thresh-hold and it is not unusual for a lady to have sugar in her urine.....even if they are not diabetic.
Best bet is discuss it with your specialist midwife.
When ladies are pregnant they do have a lowered renal thresh-hold and it is not unusual for a lady to have sugar in her urine.....even if they are not diabetic.
Best bet is discuss it with your specialist midwife.
Hi Padulica,
Many thanks for your advice; because of the GD I more or less expect there would be some glucose in my urine from time to time, but to be tested for high glucose levels each time (lately) it's quite unnerving
Many thanks for your advice; because of the GD I more or less expect there would be some glucose in my urine from time to time, but to be tested for high glucose levels each time (lately) it's quite unnerving
Just 2 points. 1)How about testing blood glucose when you empty your bladder ( about every 10 minutes now! ) and then testing urine ANd blood next time you empty it. Then you will know for sure whether you actually are running high
Point 2 the amount of glucose that appears in your urine depends in part on what point your kidneys allow the glucose"spill over" that's called the renal threshold. There are some people who have low renal thresholds and show sugar all the time in urine, without ever having diabetes.
I'm not saying that's your case, but it's possible and pretty harmless
) and then testing urine ANd blood next time you empty it. Then you will know for sure whether you actually are running highPoint 2 the amount of glucose that appears in your urine depends in part on what point your kidneys allow the glucose"spill over" that's called the renal threshold. There are some people who have low renal thresholds and show sugar all the time in urine, without ever having diabetes.
I'm not saying that's your case, but it's possible and pretty harmless
Hi Hanadr,
I would love to test my BSL each time after emptying my bladder if there is no pain involved but my poor fingers could only take so many needle pokes a day (my GD is controlled through diet only) . But yea you are right I suspect it must be the low renal threshold. Although I would probably need to confirm it with the diabetic consultant. Thanks for the advice anyhow.
I would love to test my BSL each time after emptying my bladder if there is no pain involved
but my poor fingers could only take so many needle pokes a day (my GD is controlled through diet only) . But yea you are right I suspect it must be the low renal threshold. Although I would probably need to confirm it with the diabetic consultant. Thanks for the advice anyhow.Dear GDE, if you have enough strips, try testing on the inside of your forearm. The "Stabber " probably has a setting for alternative site testing. that area has few pain sensors, so it can often happen you don't even feel it.
Hi again Hanadr, I only have the fingers lancet (that came free with the glucose meter) and not the alternative site lancet. I did ask about alternative site testing but was adviced against it as it is not accurate enough. I must say this whole GD business is really getting me down sometimes I am of petite statute, slightly underweight and low BMI and have never thought I would get GD . But my mum had GD when she was pregnant with my little sister (she was in her mid 30's then) and was diagnosed with type 2 a few years later. And now I have GD and also in my mid 30's I wonder if it would go the same way. I wonder if this is hereditary?
I am of petite statute, slightly underweight and low BMI and have never thought I would get GD . But my mum had GD when she was pregnant with my little sister (she was in her mid 30's then) and was diagnosed with type 2 a few years later. And now I have GD and also in my mid 30's I wonder if it would go the same way. I wonder if this is hereditary?Hi,
I know some ladies who have had GD in one pregnancy but not in a subsequent pregnancy.
I was GD in my last pregnacy, although I had glycosurea in 2 out of 3 of my other pregnancies...I was not GD. Like you I was and am still a petite statue and low BMI.
I am now nearly 50 ( 15 years since my last pregnancy) and on verging on pre diabetes...keeping it at bay with diet and excercise.
I know some ladies who have had GD in one pregnancy but not in a subsequent pregnancy.
I was GD in my last pregnacy, although I had glycosurea in 2 out of 3 of my other pregnancies...I was not GD. Like you I was and am still a petite statue and low BMI.
I am now nearly 50 ( 15 years since my last pregnancy) and on verging on pre diabetes...keeping it at bay with diet and excercise.
Hi Padulica, at my OGTT my result actually came out as pre-diabetic, but because I'm pregnant I have therefore been classified as GD. Thanks for your encouraging advice, I guess watching what I eat is something I would have to really keep an eye on from now and beyond pregnancy. I must say because I'm at the advance stage of being pregnant I do feel like a hibernating snake - only move if absolutely have to but I must get off the sofa for some walkabout, even if it is in the house.
but I must get off the sofa for some walkabout, even if it is in the house. GDE said:Hi Hanadr,
I would love to test my BSL each time after emptying my bladder if there is no pain involved
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/ ... ricks.html
Hi Trinkwasser Thanks for the link, it was really useful; I remember when I was first diagnosed I was literally begging the diabetic nurse for a meter that would take the smallest drop of blood, the thinest needles and the most painless lancet as I was breaking out in a sweat and almost reduced to sobbing just thinking about drawing my own blood Needless to say the request has fallen on deaf ears. But that seemed a very long time ago (little more than 2 months in fact) and now I'm just numbed to the pain and just get on with it. I limit myself to testing about 4 times a day though as I can see changes in the appearance of my fingers already . But saying that because I'm now so used to my own lancet that if I were to change to another type of lancet(s) I would probably end up back to square one and be afraid all over again I guess it must be fear of the unknown.
Needless to say the request has fallen on deaf ears. But that seemed a very long time ago (little more than 2 months in fact) and now I'm just numbed to the pain and just get on with it. I limit myself to testing about 4 times a day though as I can see changes in the appearance of my fingers already . But saying that because I'm now so used to my own lancet that if I were to change to another type of lancet(s) I would probably end up back to square one and be afraid all over again I guess it must be fear of the unknown. If you haven't already got one try the Accuchek lancet. Many users of other meters prefer this. It costs a lot if you try to buy one but you can get one along with an entire meter and some test strips for around the same price as the finger-stabber alone.
