Glucose Tolerance Test During Pregnancy

GTT stands for the Glucose Tolerance Test. It is a test conducted to see how quickly the body absorbs glucose. The GTT test is usually used in the process of diagnosing diabetes. Diabetes is a condition where the regulation of a patient’s blood sugar does not take place properly. This is usually due to poor insulin production or poor absorption of insulin the body. Diabetes can also be a temporary condition in pregnant women. This condition is known as gestational diabetes. The
GTT test during pregnancy is useful in diagnosing this condition. A woman who has no previous history of diabetes will be given this test around the 28th week of the pregnancy. This is done to establish whether she has developed diabetes or not.

Some families tend to have a history of diabetes. Pregnant women who have such a background are likely to be tested earlier than the 28th week. Women who are planning to get pregnant may go through this test as part of the pre-pregnancy screening to check if everything is alright before they attempt pregnancy.

The GTT test is conducted by collecting several consecutive blood samples to be tested for the level of glucose. The first test is usually a fasting test conducted in the morning after the patient has spent at least 8 hours without nutrition. Blood is then collected from a vein in the patient’s forearm. Following this, the patient is fed with a glucose rich meal. The doctor conducting the test is usually aware of the glucose content of the meal being fed. Once this is done, the patient may return home or wait at the clinic. A subsequent sample of blood is drawn an hour after the test and then for the next three consecutive hours. Some tests are less thorough and only use two samples, one at the fasting stage and one two hours after consumption. There are, of course, variations in the duration that doctors prefer to use. In most cases a series of subsequent tests is enough to provide a clear picture about the patient’s condition.

There are very few risks associated with the GTT test during pregnancy. If too much blood is drawn, it might cause some discomfort or a faint feeling for the patient. If a woman fails the GTT test, she might be placed under medication to control her glucose levels until the baby is born, following which subsequent treatment options may be explored.