Understanding the 3 Hour Glucose Test

During pregnancy, your body undergoes various hormonal changes that can affect your blood sugar levels. This can lead to gestational diabetes, a condition where the body cannot produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.

The 3 hour glucose test is a diagnostic test that determines whether you have gestational diabetes. In this article, we will discuss what the 3 hour glucose test is, what to expect during the test, and how to interpret the results.

What Is the 3 Hour Glucose Test?

The 3 hour glucose test is a diagnostic test that measures your blood sugar levels after drinking a glucose solution. This test is usually recommended for pregnant women who have tested positive for gestational diabetes during the initial glucose screening test.

The glucose screening test is a routine test that checks your blood sugar levels after you drink a sugary solution. If your blood sugar levels are high, you will be asked to take the 3 hour glucose test to confirm whether you have gestational diabetes.

The 3 hour glucose test is more accurate than the glucose screening test and can help diagnose gestational diabetes early in pregnancy.

Source: bing.com

What to Expect During the Test

The 3 hour glucose test is a longer and more involved test than the glucose screening test. You will need to fast for at least 8 hours before the test and avoid eating or drinking anything during the test.

When you arrive at the lab, a healthcare professional will take a blood sample to measure your baseline blood sugar levels. You will then be asked to drink a glucose solution containing 100 grams of sugar.

After drinking the glucose solution, you will need to wait for 1 hour before the healthcare professional takes another blood sample. This process will be repeated every hour for the next 2 hours.

The test can take up to 3 hours to complete, and you may feel nauseous or dizzy during the test due to the high sugar content of the glucose solution.

Interpreting the Results

The results of the 3 hour glucose test will determine whether you have gestational diabetes. The normal blood sugar levels for the 3 hour glucose test are:

• Fasting: less than 95 mg/dL
• 1 hour: less than 180 mg/dL
• 2 hours: less than 155 mg/dL
• 3 hours: less than 140 mg/dL

If your blood sugar levels are higher than the normal range for any of the time points, you will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

It is important to note that the 3 hour glucose test is not a perfect test and can sometimes give false positive or false negative results. If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, your healthcare provider will recommend a treatment plan to help manage your blood sugar levels during pregnancy.

Conclusion

The 3 hour glucose test is an important diagnostic test for pregnant women who may have gestational diabetes. It is a longer and more involved test than the glucose screening test, but it is more accurate and can help diagnose gestational diabetes early in pregnancy.

If you are scheduled to take the 3 hour glucose test, it is important to follow the fasting and testing instructions provided by your healthcare provider. And remember, if you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, your healthcare provider will work with you to develop a treatment plan to keep you and your baby healthy.