Feel weird after GTT?!
Question: I am 28 weeks pregnant and had to go for the 3 hour glucose tolerance test today. Is this something regular diabetics ever have to do? Just curious because I have only heard it related to gestational diabetes.... Anyway, my real question is... I just feel really yuck today and I am wondering if it has something to do with that test? I figured having to fast, blood sugar going way up then way down etc... does that have an effect on your body? I feel tired, hungry (I have eaten several times since the test) have a headache, and just overall feel blah.... Thanks!!!
Answers: I am 28 weeks pregnant and had to go for the 3 hour glucose tolerance test today. Is this something regular diabetics ever have to do? Just curious because I have only heard it related to gestational diabetes.... Anyway, my real question is... I just feel really yuck today and I am wondering if it has something to do with that test? I figured having to fast, blood sugar going way up then way down etc... does that have an effect on your body? I feel tired, hungry (I have eaten several times since the test) have a headache, and just overall feel blah.... Thanks!!!
I doubt it has anything to do with the test itself, but it would sure be interesting to know the result of the test. I had gestational diabetes (and yes, newly diagnosed diabetes or hypoglycemics will have to also take either a 3 or 5 hr. GTT), and have many of the symptoms you describe. I think it would probably benefit you to watch your carb intake and be sure you eat some form of protein at each meal. Never ever eat fruit unopposed (in other words, have a spoonful of peanut butter or some form of protein when eating foods that convert to sugar right away). It is great that you are eating several times a day in small amounts. I would just try to increase the protein a bit and be careful of the complex carbs.
I think the GTT during pregnancy is routine.
Don't know if the test could cause you to feel bad. Rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat when you're hungry and if you don't feel better in a day or so, call your doctor.
I am not pregnant, but I had to do a two hour tolerance test with a 12 hour fast. From what my doctor has said, depending on the reasons for the test, they can last anywhere from 2 hours to 4 hours. The feeling of "yuck" could just be from having your blood drawn. When I had my testing done, they took somewhere around 26 vials. I am not sure how many of them were from the GTT, as I was having thyroid tests done at the same time. I too felt "off" the day of the testing.
That is not uncommon.
I perform OGTTs every day. Some people get sick, while others feel no effects at all. Even pregnant women can be affected differently.
Some people complain of nausea, being chilled, sleepy or headachy. Some people may experience a combination of these.
The effects should pass with a little time. The purpose of the test is to flood your body with glucose and see how it reacts. It's a lot of sugar...and your body won't like it. It's normal and common to feel yucky. It will pass. Just get some rest and make sure you eat and drink. Sometimes, there can be a rapid drop in blood sugar after the test. If you have any other concerns, call your OB/GYN.
EMT
When I did mine some years ago (I was not pregnant), my sugar went so high so quickly that the test had to be stopped (barely 1 hour in to a 5 hour test) and I was immediately admitted to the hospital. It was over 600.