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Post GD: HBA1C or GTT

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lavender100
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Lavender100

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I posted yesterday about still getting high readings after the birth of my baby (I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes). I am getting readings of 10 an hour after meals but they go do2n to 5 something after 2 hours. My original GTT results in pregnancy were 4.1 fasting and 8.4 2 hours after glucose drink. Now 7 weeks after birth the doctors have told me I would be having a HBA1C rather than a GTT. Which is more accurate? Will the hba1c consider these spikes?
 
Lavender100 said:
I posted yesterday about still getting high readings after the birth of my baby (I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes). I am getting readings of 10 an hour after meals but they go do2n to 5 something after 2 hours. My original GTT results in pregnancy were 4.1 fasting and 8.4 2 hours after glucose drink. Now 7 weeks after birth the doctors have told me I would be having a HBA1C rather than a GTT. Which is more accurate? Will the hba1c consider these spikes?
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As I understand it, the GTT is a controlled test, where from fasting your fasting level is take, you then drink a drink with a defined sugar content, the at suitable times after that (depending up on what the individual test is "looking for") tests taken again, with benchmarks at an hour and 2 hours.

The HbA1c is a single test of venous blood which looks at the amount of sugar "stuck" to your haemoglobin at that time. Because these blood cells have a lifespan of around 3 months, this is taken to be the span of the test.

So, the GTT is a snapshot, and the HbA1c more like a longer term summary. HbA1c is routinely used to test for T2, and yes, it does take into account the rises and dips we all experience when we eat.

I have no idea when you will have the HbA1c, but whilst the test is considered a 3 month summary, in reality the main part of the result is from the last 2 months.

When are you due to be tested?
 
@Lavender100 The GTT is the standard method of diagnosing gestational diabetes.

As you've probably been told, GD raises your risk slightly of developing diabetes in the future. So many ladies who had GD are offered regular HbA1C tests after delivery to monitor this.

This could explain the two different tests.
 
What are you eating when you get the spikes?

Could you keep a record and show your GP if you're concerned?
 
Thanks for the replies. I got a spike of 10 after eating paella and a mince pie. I then got a spike of 9.9 after cottage pie and 2 Yorkshire puddings. This was after 1 hour. It could have been higher before 1 hour but I don't know as I didn't test
 
Lavender100 said:
Thanks for the replies. I got a spike of 10 after eating paella and a mince pie. I then got a spike of 9.9 after cottage pie and 2 Yorkshire puddings. This was after 1 hour. It could have been higher before 1 hour but I don't know as I didn't test
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Ok. When I was diagnosed, my DSN told me that non-diabetics could get as high as 10 "after a big meal". Do tell your doctor/nurse about your results, so they're aware and can continue to monitor you.

The meals you've described have quite a reasonable amount of carbs in.

My advice is to keep doing occasional tests like you've done, so you can also keep an eye on things yourself aswell as your doctor/nurse.
 
An HbA1c test can tell you if you ARE suffering from Diabetes, but is not so accurate when it comes to proving if you are not, or no longer suffering.

A GTT, whilst being a much simpler testing method, should be able to show at the very least whether you are or not.
 
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