Question
At 25 weeks pregnant, I underwent a glucose screening test. One hour after ingesting 50 grams of glucose, my blood sugar level was 7.6. The doctor informed me that it was slightly elevated. What is the normal value for gestational diabetes?
Answer
The glucose screening test for gestational diabetes is typically conducted between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. The standard procedure involves dissolving 50 grams of sugar in 200 mL of water and consuming it within 5 minutes. One hour later, a blood sugar level of 7.8 or higher indicates a positive result, necessitating further testing with an fasting blood glucose test. If the fasting blood glucose is abnormal, a diagnosis of gestational diabetes is made. If the fasting blood glucose is normal, an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) is required.