Is this normal for gestational diabetes?

[CrystalBoo]

I've been told I have it, though my levels are not terrible. So I begin testing as of Monday and for the first couple of days, even without really making changes to my diet, the levels are all within normal range.
Then I get a new box of strips and suddenly, the levels have all jumped (high 6's and 7's) Even with changing my diet, they are still high (for me). I calibrated the machine, and nothing else is really different. Could it be the new strips, or is it normal to go through fluctuating periods anyway? Even overnight levels are coming in at 6's.
I won't see my Ob until Monday, so just wondering if I should be concerned in the meantime?
Ta

[milka]

With my GD the further into my pregnancy I was, the higher my levels would go even though my diet was the same. In the end I had to go on insulin and the amount had to keep increasing until I was around 35 weeks or so when it suddenly decided to become a little bit more stable.

So it sounds to me what is happening is perfectly normal, but if your worried give you Ob a call! Good Luck

[RhiChiChi]

Sounds normal. Other factors, such as stress, lack of sleep, illness can have an affect on your readings too. So make sure you make a note if you didn't sleep well etc... as it will be taken into consideration on the continued care for you & bubs. (ie; insulin or not). Whilst 6 is higher than what is considered 'normal', I remember having the odd 8 or 9 reading with minimal diet change and it was ok b/c most were under - I didn't end up on insulin. Make sure you are continuing on your low GI diet, best of luck

[Megan]

I remember my levels suddenly going through the roof and it also coincided with opening a new box of testing strips. I was convinced that there was something wrong with those strips, but within a few days it calmed down again using the same strips. I did go through fluctuations even when not really changing much about my diet.
Morning levels were always the worst and I ended up on insulin for those at around 25 weeks ( was diagnosed at 17wks), but there's nothing you can do diet wise for those levels as it's hormonal.
What you have said sounds fairly normal to me though, and don't forget to take into account those other factors such as sleep and stress that RhiChiChi suggested.

[CrystalBoo]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I'll watch my diet a bit more strictly and see if it makes a difference.
I don't think I've been particularly stressed or overtired, but I guess sometimes you just don't notice so could be that.
Thanks again.

[Jewel]

Good luck with your GD. I hope your levels settle down.

[Jas]

You might remember I had insulin dependant gd with Noah.

I agree, levels often get worse or harder to control as you are more heaviuly preg and theother thing is too some foods that should be good can react really badly for you and others that should be really bad can be ok so if you're not already I would recommend keeping a food diary and see if you notice any patterns, might be something you have eaten even though techniquely it is good

[RhiChiChi]

How's your GD going Crystal?

[CrystalBoo]

RCC - Both my OB and the specialist he sent me to brushed off the 'new strips' thing when I told them and I was sent back to the diabetes nurse to start insulin. I mentioned it to her and she immediately got out another monitor and strips and we did a test on both mine and hers with the same blood. Sure enough, mine was reading higher.

So while I have started insulin for the overnight/breakfast times, at least I'm not having it for the rest of the day (yet) as the doctor straight away assumed I would have to. My levels later in the day are all back to normal with another set of strips.

Thanks Jewel and Jas, too, btw.