Can results on OGT-tests vary from time to time?

[autum]

Hello everyone.

I´m new to the forum, and after reading quite a few threads I´m hopeful to get some inputs on my situation. I am very anxious about it, and would be truly greatful if you´d take the time to read through my long info/question below.

I had a baby about a year a go. My father has diabetes type 2, and because of that I had to take a oral glucose test during pregnancy. I´m from Sweden and they use capillary tests for this. My 2 hour result was just on the edge of being gestational diabetes in Sweden (I had 9, 10 is the limit on capillary tests in my regione in my country), in some countries it would ve been clssified as gestational diabetes. This was the start of a major spiral of worries on my part, it has really turned my world around. I´d say I´m healthy, I have a bmi of 19,7, work out and usually eat decently and am 34 years old. I am worried sick of getting diabetes.

3 months after my pregnancy I went through another oral glucose test (OGTT) to see if my results had improved. Please note that the testing was done in a clinic but with capillary test and not lab test with blod from a vein. I was breasfeeding at the time. My result was as following:

Fasting glucose: 4,6
60 min: they did not check
120 min: 6,0

6 months after the test above I did yet another oral glucose test in another country in Europe where they use lab test with venous blood. The reason for that is that as I´ve understood capillary test are not as reliable as lab tests with venous blod. My understanding is that capillary tests usually has a higher value than venous tests. I had stopped breastfeeding at this time and my results on the second oral glucose test after my pregnancy was:

Fasting glucose: 5,1
60 min: 5,65
120 min: 6,01

In addition to above I took many other testst prescribed by a doctor, for example hba1c was 5,4, triglycerides 0,79, lipides overall quite good, slighly elevated LDL cholesterol (I´ve kind of been on LCHF diet), kidneys, liver, thyriod tests all came back great. I met with a doctor who´s also a professor specialized in diabetes who said that my overall result is very good, that I´m healthy and that it´s important to keep a healthy lifestyle to stay healthy.

I am starting to think that I´m struggling a bit with health anxiety and are thinking to adress this issue by talking to a proffessional as I can´t let this go even so.

What bothers me, and what I am extremely worried about is my second oral glucose test. The value was 6 after two hours, with a venous lab test. My understanding is that lab tests are always lower then capillary testst, so that means that my value on the second oral glucose test is higher then when I tested the first time and got the result 6 after two hours with a cipillary test.
I am interested to hear about your experiences of oral glucose test´s, has your results varied from time to time? Is that normal? Am I on the verge of being diabetic or is my mind hijacking my common sense? I want to take comfort in and trust the doctor, but find it difficult, at the same time I find myself unreasonable for always second guess whatever result I get. Very greatful for any input in regards to my results above, thank you!

 

[Pipp]

Hello everyone.

I´m new to the forum, and after reading quite a few threads I´m hopeful to get some inputs on my situation. I am very anxious about it, and would be truly greatful if you´d take the time to read through my long info/question below.

I had a baby about a year a go. My father has diabetes type 2, and because of that I had to take a oral glucose test during pregnancy. I´m from Sweden and they use capillary tests for this. My 2 hour result was just on the edge of being gestational diabetes in Sweden (I had 9, 10 is the limit on capillary tests in my regione in my country), in some countries it would ve been clssified as gestational diabetes. This was the start of a major spiral of worries on my part, it has really turned my world around. I´d say I´m healthy, I have a bmi of 19,7, work out and usually eat decently and am 34 years old. I am worried sick of getting diabetes.

3 months after my pregnancy I went through another oral glucose test (OGTT) to see if my results had improved. Please note that the testing was done in a clinic but with capillary test and not lab test with blod from a vein. I was breasfeeding at the time. My result was as following:

Fasting glucose: 4,6
60 min: they did not check
120 min: 6,0

6 months after the test above I did yet another oral glucose test in another country in Europe where they use lab test with venous blood. The reason for that is that as I´ve understood capillary test are not as reliable as lab tests with venous blod. My understanding is that capillary tests usually has a higher value than venous tests. I had stopped breastfeeding at this time and my results on the second oral glucose test after my pregnancy was:

Fasting glucose: 5,1
60 min: 5,65
120 min: 6,01

In addition to above I took many other testst prescribed by a doctor, for example hba1c was 5,4, triglycerides 0,79, lipides overall quite good, slighly elevated LDL cholesterol (I´ve kind of been on LCHF diet), kidneys, liver, thyriod tests all came back great. I met with a doctor who´s also a professor specialized in diabetes who said that my overall result is very good, that I´m healthy and that it´s important to keep a healthy lifestyle to stay healthy.

I am starting to think that I´m struggling a bit with health anxiety and are thinking to adress this issue by talking to a proffessional as I can´t let this go even so.

What bothers me, and what I am extremely worried about is my second oral glucose test. The value was 6 after two hours, with a venous lab test. My understanding is that lab tests are always lower then capillary testst, so that means that my value on the second oral glucose test is higher then when I tested the first time and got the result 6 after two hours with a cipillary test.
I am interested to hear about your experiences of oral glucose test´s, has your results varied from time to time? Is that normal? Am I on the verge of being diabetic or is my mind hijacking my common sense? I want to take comfort in and trust the doctor, but find it difficult, at the same time I find myself unreasonable for always second guess whatever result I get. Very greatful for any input in regards to my results above, thank you!

Hello, and welcome @autum
This information may be of use to you.

The Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) also referred to as the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), is a method which can help to diagnose instances of diabetes mellitus or insulin resistance.

Glucose Tolerance Tests (GTT) also known as Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), is a method which can help to diagnose diabetes or insulin resistance.

www.diabetes.co.uk

My understanding of the results you have reported for your recent tests is that they indicate non-diabetes levels.

With a family history of T2, andbyour elevated blood glucose levels during pregnancy, you are wise to be vigilant, and the Low carb diet is a sensible way for you to avoid higher blood glucose levels, as long as you are not on any medication to lower your blood glucose to a point when hypos are possible.

Some people do report slightly increased cholesterol levels when following a low carb, higher fat diet. As long as you are using healthy fats, (not the sort in convenience foods and some baked goods) this should not be a problem.

Rather than repeated OGTTs could you request annual HbA1c tests instead? This may be a way of monitoring your health that would cause less anxiety for you.

 

[Lamont D]

Hello everyone.

I´m new to the forum, and after reading quite a few threads I´m hopeful to get some inputs on my situation. I am very anxious about it, and would be truly greatful if you´d take the time to read through my long info/question below.

I had a baby about a year a go. My father has diabetes type 2, and because of that I had to take a oral glucose test during pregnancy. I´m from Sweden and they use capillary tests for this. My 2 hour result was just on the edge of being gestational diabetes in Sweden (I had 9, 10 is the limit on capillary tests in my regione in my country), in some countries it would ve been clssified as gestational diabetes. This was the start of a major spiral of worries on my part, it has really turned my world around. I´d say I´m healthy, I have a bmi of 19,7, work out and usually eat decently and am 34 years old. I am worried sick of getting diabetes.

3 months after my pregnancy I went through another oral glucose test (OGTT) to see if my results had improved. Please note that the testing was done in a clinic but with capillary test and not lab test with blod from a vein. I was breasfeeding at the time. My result was as following:

Fasting glucose: 4,6
60 min: they did not check
120 min: 6,0

6 months after the test above I did yet another oral glucose test in another country in Europe where they use lab test with venous blood. The reason for that is that as I´ve understood capillary test are not as reliable as lab tests with venous blod. My understanding is that capillary tests usually has a higher value than venous tests. I had stopped breastfeeding at this time and my results on the second oral glucose test after my pregnancy was:

Fasting glucose: 5,1
60 min: 5,65
120 min: 6,01

In addition to above I took many other testst prescribed by a doctor, for example hba1c was 5,4, triglycerides 0,79, lipides overall quite good, slighly elevated LDL cholesterol (I´ve kind of been on LCHF diet), kidneys, liver, thyriod tests all came back great. I met with a doctor who´s also a professor specialized in diabetes who said that my overall result is very good, that I´m healthy and that it´s important to keep a healthy lifestyle to stay healthy.

I am starting to think that I´m struggling a bit with health anxiety and are thinking to adress this issue by talking to a proffessional as I can´t let this go even so.

What bothers me, and what I am extremely worried about is my second oral glucose test. The value was 6 after two hours, with a venous lab test. My understanding is that lab tests are always lower then capillary testst, so that means that my value on the second oral glucose test is higher then when I tested the first time and got the result 6 after two hours with a cipillary test.
I am interested to hear about your experiences of oral glucose test´s, has your results varied from time to time? Is that normal? Am I on the verge of being diabetic or is my mind hijacking my common sense? I want to take comfort in and trust the doctor, but find it difficult, at the same time I find myself unreasonable for always second guess whatever result I get. Very greatful for any input in regards to my results above, thank you!

I wish mine were back to your levels, from the results, they are good normal levels.
Venous blood tests are mostly used to take sample for lab work. And you would have had a report and notified if the sample was abnormal.
I do think you are over worrying about the tests. They are obliged to inform you.

 

[autum]

Hello, and welcome @autum
This information may be of use to you.

The Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) also referred to as the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), is a method which can help to diagnose instances of diabetes mellitus or insulin resistance.

Glucose Tolerance Tests (GTT) also known as Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), is a method which can help to diagnose diabetes or insulin resistance.

www.diabetes.co.uk

My understanding of the results you have reported for your recent tests is that they indicate non-diabetes levels.

With a family history of T2, andbyour elevated blood glucose levels during pregnancy, you are wise to be vigilant, and the Low carb diet is a sensible way for you to avoid higher blood glucose levels, as long as you are not on any medication to lower your blood glucose to a point when hypos are possible.

Some people do report slightly increased cholesterol levels when following a low carb, higher fat diet. As long as you are using healthy fats, (not the sort in convenience foods and some baked goods) this should not be a problem.

Rather than repeated OGTTs could you request annual HbA1c tests instead? This may be a way of monitoring your health that would cause less anxiety for you.

Thanks for your input.
What about results that varies from time to time on the ogtt, do you know if that's normal?

 

[Pipp]

Thanks for your input.
What about results that varies from time to time on the ogtt, do you know if that's normal?

I can only answer in relation to my own experience. Yes, there was variation between tests. It is a long time ago. I had higher levels in pregnancy, that were bordering on gestational diabetes. I had two OGTTs , six months apart, to determine my whether or not I had diabetes some 25 years later. The second showed higher levels than the first. I would have been ecstatic if there had been a reduction. The second confirmed my T 2 diabetes. That was 19 years ago. I have managed quite well since with minimal meds (just Metformin).
I do think you are being far too anxious, and stand by my earlier suggestion that you just seek an annual HbA1c. Alternatively, you could invest in a blood glucose meter, and keep a check on levels yourself.
In the meantime, enjoy your time with the baby, and relax a bit. Carry on with the low carb diet and exercise, if that makes you feel you are proactively managing your health.

 

[Antje77]

What about results that varies from time to time on the ogtt, do you know if that's normal?

Yes, normal.
Monthly hormonal changes may be the cause of this.

I would rely on your hba1c, which is very much non diabetic, and not on repeated OGTT's.
In my country, OGTT's are only used to diagnose diabetes in pregnancy, because gestational diabetes can come up quicker than an hba1c reflects.
T2 tends to come on slowly, so an hba1c works very well for diagnosing.

I am starting to think that I´m struggling a bit with health anxiety and are thinking to adress this issue by talking to a proffessiona

Please do!
You really don't want to let your anxiety to lead you into a spiral to where it significicantly affects your mental health.

Good luck!

 

[autum]

I can only answer in relation to my own experience. Yes, there was variation between tests. It is a long time ago. I had higher levels in pregnancy, that were bordering on gestational diabetes. I had two OGTTs , six months apart, to determine my whether or not I had diabetes some 25 years later. The second showed higher levels than the first. I would have been ecstatic if there had been a reduction. The second confirmed my T 2 diabetes. That was 19 years ago. I have managed quite well since with minimal meds (just Metformin).
I do think you are being far too anxious, and stand by my earlier suggestion that you just seek an annual HbA1c. Alternatively, you could invest in a blood glucose meter, and keep a check on levels yourself.
In the meantime, enjoy your time with the baby, and relax a bit. Carry on with the low carb diet and exercise, if that makes you feel you are proactively managing your health.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm sorry to hear that, but great to read that you have managed it very well.

 

[Pipp]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm sorry to hear that, but great to read that you have managed it very well.

I think you are doing well to adopt the Low carb lifestyle. It is not difficult to sustain, and could be the ideal way of eating for you given that you have family member with T2 diabetes.
Just hope that you can be reassured, and that you don’t let anxiety about it all rule your life.

 

[autum]

Yes, normal.
Monthly hormonal changes may be the cause of this.

I would rely on your hba1c, which is very much non diabetic, and not on repeated OGTT's.
In my country, OGTT's are only used to diagnose diabetes in pregnancy, because gestational diabetes can come up quicker than an hba1c reflects.
T2 tends to come on slowly, so an hba1c works very well for diagnosing.

Please do!
You really don't want to let your anxiety to lead you into a spiral to where it significicantly affects your mental health.

Good luck!

Thanks for that input, that's a new perspective for me for sure and it does make sense. It is ofcourse very hard to know exactly what is affecting a result, but thinking about it there is Lively so many things, sleep, diet before, physical activity, would make sense that hormones plats a part as well. Maybe it's all good aslo g as it's within "target range". Just got so dissapointed with my result somehow, although i dont actually know how much if defers from my previous test as the testing methods were different.


Reaching out for help with my worried struggle is now on the to do list...