Do they still do POAS alternative to GTT?

[AndiE]

So my acupuncturist thinks there is an alternative to the GTT (which in her opinion is dangerous to the developing baby because of the huge sugar hit - note: "her" opinion). She said I should be able to do a POAS test weekly/fortnightly and get the same result. She said that's what she and women her age did when they were pregnant (so, 20 years ago).

Does anyone know anything about this? I'll assume the GTT is considered by the medical profession to be a more accurate test. But I've always wondered about whether it just captures a moment in time, if that makes sense. And ... I presume if you don't have much sugar and then have the GTT it could well give an inaccurate picture.

I'm definitely keen to go the POAS route if it's still available. Any advice welcome, thanks

[Little Chicken]

I think she means urine dipstick testing for glucose. It will detect glucose in urine, but glucose generally only spills into urine once the blood glucose in really high, and a positive urine glucose alone is not diagnostic, you would still need the blood tests. Also everyone's 'spillage' level is different, some spill at relatively low levels, and some at excessively high.

[AndiE]

Thanks LC - that's most likely the test (though the words POAS were used when I was told about it, but I think this may be what she meant).

What you say makes sense too and is food for thought - if I did get GD with this pregnancy (I did with DS1, not DS2) then I'd prefer it be picked up sooner rather than later. Still, maybe the dipstick test builds a picture up if done with some regularity, rather than a once-off GTT. Hmmm ...

[Little Chicken]

Regular finger p**** testing would give a better and more accurate trend.

[LionsandBears]

Regular finger p**** testing would give a better and more accurate trend.

This. I'd prefer to do this next time. The GTT is still a moment in time and a friends of mine developed GD after passing the test. I also dont like the idea of having a big drink of sugar, along with the additives and preservatives, so would prefer to p r i c k my finger.

[AndiE]

Well, I've got all the gear from when I had GD with DS1, so p r i c k ing my finger(s) semi-regularly could be the best option. Should have thought of that before!

I'd like to know what the amount of glucose in the GTT is the equivalent of - without a clue, I'd assume a few glasses of coke. I just wonder how many of us would consume so much glucose/sugar in one hit normally. Having said that, I would like to keep tabs on whether or not I have GD again, so I do feel I need to do something.

[Little Chicken]

I think the long test is equivalent to two cans of American coke. I don't have an Australian can here to compare. But while you might not drink two cans a one sitting, you might have one can and something to eat at the same time, which could add up to the same amount of sugar.

Also just check the expiry on your test strips first.

[LionsandBears]

Turns out there's just been a device launched in the UK that is a glucose monitor that plugs into the iPhone and comes with an app to keep track of levels. Cool.

AndiE - apparently the GCT is 50g of glucose and the GTT is 75 g of glucose. There's about 40g in a can of soft drink.

[AndiE]

Cheers again gals. I would have to get my diabetes monitor thingie checked out - possibly recalibrated - if I was to use it again. It's been four years since it was last used!

For the record, I'm not a coke drinker but it's the first thing that comes to mind when I think "sugar hit" Then again, we bought a caramel cheesecake last Sat for adults to eat at our son's 4th b'day party. I reckon that was the biggest sugar hit I've had in months. Delicious ... but oh, so sweet!!

Thanks for putting the quantity of glucose into perspective L&B. I'm sure I'll be doing the GTT (if I do it) given my past history with GD.

[sloane]

i'm not sure what brand of glucose monitor you have but i hadn't used mine for over 2.5 years & it didn't seem to work. i took it to a NDSS approved chemist & they tested it for me. they couldn't get it working either so they replaced it for free. great service!

[AndiE]

Hey Sloane, thanks for the tip. To be honest ... I think I'd need a lesson in how to use it all again, ha!

[Kirley64]

Im curious about other options too. Since having ds ive cut sugar out of my diet cuz it causes other health issues for me. So I don't particularly want to guzzle a bottle of sugar!