Sugar curve – indications, standards, mileage, test price. Sugar curve in pregnancy

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A sugar curve is a specialized test for diabetes. When is it recommended and how is it done? We check what you need to know about it before going to the blood donation point.

Sugar curve – what is this test?

For most people, a simple blood test is enough to find diabetes. However, some people have “borderline” results from routine blood tests, and this is where the sugar curve may help. In addition, the sugar curve may show that the body is not controlling blood sugar (glucose) well, but is not yet diabetic. This is called pre-diabetes (impaired glucose tolerance) and is a condition that can lead to diabetes.

In healthy people, blood glucose levels always increase after a meal, but soon return to normal when glucose is used up or stored. The sugar curve helps to distinguish this normal pattern from the patterns seen in diabetes and prediabetes.

Sugar curve – side effects and complications

The sugar curve usually causes no side effects other than a slight bruise that may appear at the point where the needle is inserted. Rarely, the vein from which blood is drawn may become swollen; it usually clears up within a few days.

Some people may experience:

  1. Nausea;
  2. Vomiting;
  3. Flatulence;
  4. Headaches.

Indications for the implementation of the sugar curve

Sugar curve, also known as the glycemic curve or OGTT test (OralGlucoseTolerance Test), is a test indicated primarily for two groups of people. Firstly, they are performed when an abnormal blood glucose level is detected, and secondly – when a person is at risk (e.g. due to similar cases in the family or when a child is expecting – here the pregnancy sugar curve is performed between 24 hours a day). . and week 28).

Preparation for a glucose tolerance test should begin a few days before your scheduled visit to the clinic. This is especially true for patients who are using hormonal contraception or taking steroids. They should discontinue their chosen medications seven days prior to their appointment as they may interfere with the test results. For three days before the measurement, the intake of carbohydrates should not be abandoned, so that the results are not disturbed. It is recommended to give up very fatty foods and sweets.

The sugar curve is tested on an empty stomach, as in the case of morphology or urine testing, preferably in the morning. Remember to eat the last meal up to 12 hours before taking the first blood sample. On the other hand, when it comes to the day before the examination, alcohol consumption, smoking and intense physical activity are forbidden.

It should also be remembered that stress and lack of sleep can affect the test result, so you should get a good night’s sleep and avoid severe stress if possible. It should also be emphasized that in order for the sugar curve result to be reliable, the general state of health of the examined person must be good (even a cold can falsify it).

In order to be able to perform the sugar curve, you will also need to provide 75 g of glucose obtained from a pharmacy for the test, as well as a small cup and a small bottle of mineral water.

See also: How to free yourself from sweets?

In some clinics, the patient gets glucose.

Information to be reported prior to testing the sugar curve

Before performing a sugar curve, women should report that they are currently pregnant. It is also important to provide information on what other diagnosed conditions you suffer from and the type of medication you are taking, as these may affect the interpretation of the test results. This applies, inter alia, to metformin, which, after consulting a doctor, will have to be discontinued at least one week before the indicated date of blood glucose testing.

The study of the sugar curve takes about two hours. The first blood sample is taken as soon as the patient presents. Then the patient drinks 300 ml of water solution and 75 g of glucose. Importantly, this solution cannot be drunk right away.

The person from whom the blood is drawn should drink it in small sips within 5 minutes. Slowly add lemon juice to the solution so that the sweetish taste of glucose is not so intense.

Then wait two hours in the clinic so as not to overload the body. The next blood sample for pregnant women is taken after 1 hour, and for other patients – 2 hours after the start of the test.

See also: Is drinking lemon water on an empty stomach?

Sugar curve results are available on the day following the test.

Blood glucose norms

Normal fasting blood glucose should not exceed 99 mg / dL. This is the norm that the sugar curve verifies. Exceeding this value may indicate hyperglycemia, although you can be sure by performing a specialized examination.

Interpretation of the sugar curve results

The correct result of the sugar curve test is one in which the sugar concentration after the first blood sampling is in the range from 70 to 99 mg / dl, and after the last one – made 120 minutes after drinking a special solution of glucose and water – does not exceed 140 mg / dl. for

If, on the other hand, this result is in the range of 140 to 199 mg / dl, there is a suspicion of carbohydrate intolerancerisk of developing diabetes, and a result above 200 mg / dl is diabetes. The standards set out above apply to people who are not pregnant.

Check how to treat diabetes

Sugar curve in pregnant women – the course of the test and interpretation of the results

Testing the sugar curve in a pregnant woman is a mandatory test performed, as already mentioned, between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. Every expectant mother must pass the test, even if she did not have elevated blood glucose levels before becoming pregnant. During pregnancy, every woman is exposed to the so-called gestational diabetes, which can be hazardous to your health.

Attention

In the case of pregnant women, after drinking glucose mixed with water, wait 60 and 120 minutes to take two measurements.

The results of the sugar curve in pregnant women should be consulted with a doctor who will determine whether or not he is dealing with diabetes. In this case, appropriate treatment should be instituted as soon as possible.

Sugar curve in pregnant women – risk factors and treatment

Risk factors that may indicate that a pregnant woman will have elevated blood glucose levels include, in particular:

• age (over 35);

• obesity;

• Polycystic ovary syndrome;

• hypertension;

• gestational diabetes in previous pregnancies;

• macrosomia;

• smoking;

• family history of type 2 diabetes;

• having a child weighing more than 4 kg.

If a patient has been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, she must go to a diabetes consultation. The most important thing is to change your eating habits – taking a maximum of 1800 kcal per day, as well as moderate physical activity.

In gestational diabetes, you should check your blood sugar level every day on an empty stomach and after each meal. When no change is noticed, your doctor may order you to perform insulin injections.

After completing the sugar curve, you should visit your doctor to have the result verified. They absolutely should provide such results to their doctor pregnant women.

Complications of sugar curve testing

The sugar curve test is safe and does not usually cause any complications for the person from whom the blood is being drawn. It is contraindicated in people who have already been diagnosed with diabetes, who are in acute disease or with gastrointestinal diseases that make it impossible to perform the test.

Sugar curve – test price

The oral glucose tolerance test (sugar curve) is a free test, reimbursed by the National Health Fund. The test can also be done privately. Sugar curve price 2 points. it is about PLN 15. In turn, for 3 points. we will have to pay about PLN 30 on the sugar curve. Keep in mind that a result that suggests elevated blood glucose is not a definitive confirmation of diabetes. In this case, the attending physician may order additional tests.

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