Ask The Diabetes Team
Question: From Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA: I am very scared. I have a family history of GESTATIONAL diabetes (there were only two people in the family with type 2 diabetes--my grandparents' brother/sister). I am 25 years old. I was about 10 to 15 pounds overweight pre-pregnancy. I gained a lot of weight quickly with this pregnancy, about 30 pounds by 20 weeks. I was tested early, around 21 or 22 weeks, for gestational diabetes because of the family history. I didn't do the glucose tolerance test. I had a random blood test done and my numbers came back "slightly elevated." I was put on a special diet. I NEVER had a normal fasting blood sugar, so I knew I'd be on insulin for that. My post meal blood sugars were fine, slightly high, but under my goal. Three weeks later, at my next doctor's appointment, my after meal blood sugars were high (even though I was eating the same thing) so I was put on insulin four times per day. I have my after meal blood sugars under control with 10 to 15 units three times a day. My fasting blood sugars, on the other hand, are still out of control, from 90 mg/dl [5.0 mmol/L] to 133 mg/dl [7.4 mmol/L], with 126 mg/dl [7.0 mmol/L] on a few occasions. I'm now on 40 units of insulin at night and only had ONE normal fasting blood sugar, which was 78 mg/dl [4.3 mmol/L]. I talked to my obstetrician today and she terrified me. She said because I'm having such a hard time with my fasting blood sugars that I may have had pre-existing diabetes. Does this seem right? I am upset because they never gave me an A1c test, which could've helped me figure out if I had it before. Now, I fear it's too late for that test since I've already been diagnosed for over 45 days and it may not be accurate. Also, another thing that was weird to me was one night I took 42 u Continue reading >>
Gestational Diabetes
During pregnancy, some women develop high blood sugar levels. This condition is known as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). GDM typically develops between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s estimated to occur in up to 9.2 percent of pregnancies. If you develop GDM while you’re pregnant, it doesn’t mean that you had diabetes before your pregnancy or will have it afterward. But GDM does raise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. If poorly managed, it can also raise your child’s risk of developing diabetes and add other risk factors to you and your baby during pregnancy and delivery. It’s rare for GDM to cause symptoms. If you do experience symptoms, they will likely be mild. They may include: fatigue blurred vision excessive thirst excessive need to urinate The exact cause of GDM is unknown, but hormones likely play a role. When you’re pregnant, your body produces larger amounts of some hormones, including: human placental lactogen estrogen hormones that increase insulin resistance These hormones affect your placenta and help sustain your pregnancy. Over time, the amount of these hormones in your body increases. They may interfere with the action of insulin, the hormone that regulates your blood sugar. Insulin helps move glucose out of your blood into cells, where it’s used for energy. If you don’t have enough insulin, or you have high levels of hormones that prevent insulin from working properly, your blood glucose levels may rise. This can cause GDM. You’re at higher risk of developing GDM if you: are over the age of 25 have high blood pressure have a family history of diabetes were overweight before you became pregnant have previously given birth to a baby weighin Continue reading >>
- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
- Leeds diabetes clinical champion raises awareness of gestational diabetes for World Diabetes Day
- Gestational Diabetes: The Overlooked Form of Diabetes
Why Are Fasting Blood Glucose Numbers High?
Stumped by high fasting blood glucose results? Join the club. "It just doesn't compute. When I snack before bed, my fastings are lower than when I limit my night nibbles," says Pete Hyatt, 59, PWD type 2. "It's logical for people to point the finger for high fasting blood sugar numbers at what they eat between dinner and bed, but surprisingly food isn't the lead villain," says Robert Chilton, M.D., a cardiologist and professor of medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The true culprit is compromised hormonal control of blood glucose levels. The Essential Hormones During the years (up to a decade) that type 2 diabetes develops, the hormonal control of blood glucose breaks down. Four hormones are involved in glucose control: Insulin, made in the beta cells of the pancreas, helps the body use glucose from food by enabling glucose to move into the body's cells for energy. People with type 2 diabetes have slowly dwindling insulin reserves. Amylin, secreted from the beta cells, slows the release of glucose into the bloodstream after eating by slowing stomach-emptying and increasing the feeling of fullness. People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are amylin-deficient. Incretins, a group of hormones secreted from the intestines that includes glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), enhance the body's release of insulin after eating. This in turn slows stomach-emptying, promotes fullness, delays the release of glucose into the bloodstream, and prevents the pancreas from releasing glucagon, putting less glucose into the blood. Glucagon, made in the alpha cells of the pancreas, breaks down glucose stored in the liver and muscles and releases it to provide energy when glucose from food isn't available. {C} How the Essential Hormones Work in the Body When d Continue reading >>
Gestational Diabetes
What Is Gestational Diabetes? Gestational diabetes sometimes develops when a woman is pregnant. It’s when the blood glucose level (blood sugar level) of the mother goes too high during pregnancy. Having an elevated blood glucose level during pregnancy can cause problems for your baby—if it’s left untreated. Fortunately, doctors are vigilant about checking for gestational diabetes so that it can be identified and effectively managed. A pro-active treatment plan helps you have a good pregnancy and protects the health of your baby. Gestational Diabetes Symptoms Gestational diabetes doesn’t often cause noticeable symptoms for the mother. Other types of diabetes (eg, type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes) do cause symptoms such as increased thirst, but that is hardly ever noticed in gestational diabetes. Because there aren’t often symptoms, it’s very important to be tested for a high blood glucose level when you’re pregnant. (Your doctor will most likely test you for gestational diabetes sometime between the 24th and 28th week. You can learn more about the diagnostic process here.) Then your doctor will know if you need to be treated for gestational diabetes. Gestational Diabetes Causes and Risk Factors Gestational diabetes develops when your body isn’t able to produce enough of the hormone insulin during pregnancy. Insulin is necessary to transport glucose—what your body uses for energy—into the cells. Without enough insulin, you can build up too much glucose in your blood, leading to a higher-than-normal blood glucose level and perhaps gestational diabetes. The elevated blood glucose level in gestational diabetes is caused by hormones released by the placenta during pregnancy. The placenta produces a hormone called the human placental lactogen (HPL), also Continue reading >>
- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
- Leeds diabetes clinical champion raises awareness of gestational diabetes for World Diabetes Day
- Gestational Diabetes: The Overlooked Form of Diabetes
Management Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Gestational diabetes mellitus is a common but controversial disorder. While no large randomized controlled trials show that screening for and treating gestational diabetes affect perinatal outcomes, multiple studies have documented an increase in adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with the disorder. Data on perinatal mortality, however, are inconsistent. In some prospective studies, treatment of gestational diabetes has resulted in a decrease in shoulder dystocia (a frequently discussed perinatal outcome), but cesarean delivery has not been shown to reduce perinatal morbidity. Patients diagnosed with gestational diabetes should monitor their blood glucose levels, exercise, and undergo nutrition counseling for the purpose of maintaining normoglycemia. The commonly accepted treatment goal is to maintain a fasting capillary blood glucose level of less than 95 to 105 mg per dL (5.3 to 5.8 mmol per L); the ambiguity (i.e., the range) is due to imperfect data. The postprandial treatment goal should be a capillary blood glucose level of less than 140 mg per dL (7.8 mmol per L) at one hour and less than 120 mg per dL (6.7 mmol per L) at two hours. Patients not meeting these goals with dietary changes alone should begin insulin therapy. In patients with well-controlled diabetes, there is no need to pursue delivery before 40 weeks of gestation. In patients who require insulin or have other comorbid conditions, it is appropriate to begin antenatal screening with nonstress tests and an amniotic fluid index at 32 weeks of gestation. Screening for gestational diabetes mellitus is widely practiced despite lack of evidence that it prevents adverse perinatal outcomes. Although the disorder affects approximately 2.5 percent of pregnant women1 and has been the subject of extensive res Continue reading >>
- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
- Role of Medical Nutrition Therapy in the Management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
- Diabetes management 3: the pathogenesis and management of diabetic foot ulcers
Gestational Diabetes
What You Need to Know as a Patient What is Gestational Diabetes? Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which a person has an abnormally high blood sugar (glucose). Diabetes occurs when the body does not produce insulin, the hormone in the body that lowers blood sugar, or the cells in the body do not respond to insulin . Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is diabetes that is found for the first time when a woman is pregnant. The high blood sugar in gestational diabetes appears to be caused by hormones produced by the placenta that prevent the mother's cells from responding to her insulin. Gestational diabetes usually develops in the second trimester as the placenta is getting larger. If your diabetes was diagnosed in the first half of your pregnancy, it's possible you had diabetes even before you became pregnant. It is estimated that gestational diabetes affects about 18% of pregnancies. What are The Symptoms? Usually there no symptoms with gestational diabetes, or the symptoms are mild. However, if your blood sugars are very high you may experience excessive thirst, excessive hunger, weight loss, fatigue, frequent urination, frequent infections, numbness of the hands and feet, and sometimes blurred vision. How do I Know if I have Diabetes? If you have risk factors for diabetes your doctor will usually test for diabetes at your first prenatal visit by measuring your fasting blood glucose or hemoglobin A1C. Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes Non-Caucasian BMI > 25 (at risk BMI may be lower in some ethnic groups) History of GDM or pre-diabetes, unexplained stillbirth, malformed infant Previous baby 4000 gm or more (8 lbs 13 oz) 1st degree relative with diabetes mellitus Glucosuria (high levels of sugar in the urine) Medications that raise glucose (e.g. steroids, betamime Continue reading >>
- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
- Leeds diabetes clinical champion raises awareness of gestational diabetes for World Diabetes Day
- Gestational Diabetes: The Overlooked Form of Diabetes
Understanding Gestational Diabetes: Glucose Monitoring
Fetal Monitoring, Gestational Diabetes, Integrative Medicine, Pregnancy and Birth, Weight Management What is self blood glucose monitoring? Once you are diagnosed as having gestational diabetes, you and your health care providers will want to know more about your day-to-day blood sugar levels. It is important to know how your exercise habits and eating patterns affect your blood sugars. Also, as your pregnancy progresses, the placenta will release more of the hormones that work against insulin. Testing your blood sugar level at important times during the day will help determine if proper diet and weight gain have kept blood sugar levels normal or if extra insulin is needed to help keep the fetus protected. Self blood glucose monitoring is done by using a special device to obtain a drop of your blood and test it for your blood sugar level. Your doctor or other health care provider will explain the procedure to you. Make sure that you are shown how to do the testing before attempting it on your own. Some items you may use to monitor your blood sugar levels are: Lancet–a disposable, sharp needle-like sticker for pricking the finger to obtain a drop of blood. Lancet device–a springloaded finger sticking device. Test strip–a chemically treated strip to which a drop of blood is applied. Color chart–a chart used to compare against the color on the test strip for blood sugar level. Glucose meter–a device which “reads” the test strip and gives you a digital number value. Your health care provider can advise you where to obtain the self-monitoring equipment in your area. You may want to inquire if any places rent or loan glucose meters, since it is likely you won't be needing it after your baby is born. How often and when should I test? You may need to test your blo Continue reading >>
- Exercise and Glucose Metabolism in Persons with Diabetes Mellitus: Perspectives on the Role for Continuous Glucose Monitoring
- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
- Continuous Versus Flash Glucose Monitoring To Reduce Hypoglycemia In Type 1 Diabetes
Blood Sugar Level During Pregnancy, What's Normal?
The form of diabetes which develops during pregnancy is known as gestational diabetes. This condition has become predominant in the recent pastaccording to the 2009 article in American Family Physician. For instance, in the United States alone, it affects around 5% to 9% of all the pregnant women. Pregnancy aggravates the preexisting type 2 and type 1 diabetes. During pregnancy the sugar level may tend to be high sometimes, posing problems to the mother and the infant as well. However, concerning the sugar level during pregnancy, what's normal? Blood sugar control is one of the most essential factors that should be undertaken during pregnancy. When measures are taken to control blood sugar level during pregnancy, it increases chances of a successful pregnancy. The average fasting glucose for pregnant women without any diabetes condition range from 69 to 75 and from 105 to 108 immediately one hour after consuming food. If you have preexisting diabetes or you have developedgestational diabetes, the best way to handle the blood sugar level is to ensure that it remains in between the normal range, not going too low or high. According to the recommendations of the 2007, Fifth International Workshop-Conference on Gestational Diabetes, which established blood glucose goals especially for diabetic women, during the period of pregnancy, the fasting blood sugar should not exceed 96. Blood sugar should remain below 140 just one hour after eating and below 120 two hours later. Why Is It Important to Keep Normal Blood Sugar Level During Pregnancy? The most effective way to prevent complications related to diabetes is to control the amount or the level of blood sugar. This blood sugar control is very significant during pregnancy as it can: Minimize the risk of stillbirth as well as m Continue reading >>
Diabetes In Pregnancy
Dr. Catherine M. Hegarty, Medical Director, Joslin Diabetic Center affiliated at Mercy Medical Center Gestational Diabetes: The majority of women with pregnancy complicated by diabetes have gestational diabetes (GDM). The American Diabetes Association defines GDM as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy. This includes women who may have had diabetes or abnormal glucose tolerance prior to the pregnancy but were undiagnosed. In the U.S., the prevalence of gestational diabetes varies from 1-14% depending on the population studied. Poorly controlled gestational diabetes increases the risk of fetal macrosomia with risk of shoulder dystocia or other birth injury, C-section, maternal hypertensive disorders, neonatal hypoglycemia, jaundice, hypocalcemia, and polycythemia. Fasting hyperglycemia with blood glucose > 105 mg/dl (5.8 mmol/l) may be associated with an increased risk of intrauterine fetal demise in the last 4-8 weeks of gestation. Since organogenesis is complete by the time that gestational diabetes appears, major congenital anomalies are uncommon. Long-term risks of gestational diabetes include increased risk of recurrent GDM in subsequent pregnancies, risk of diabetes in the mother, and increased risk of childhood obesity, glucose intolerance and diabetes in the offspring. Diagnosis: Diagnosis of gestational diabetes is typically made on the basis of an oral glucose tolerance test. A lack of consensus exists regarding the optimal testing protocol and threshold to identify women and infants with increased risk of complications. Many recommend universal screening of all pregnant women. Others advocate screening all but low risk women who meet the following characteristics: age < 25, normal pre-pregnancy weight, member of a Continue reading >>
Slightly High Fasting Glucose
Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please,join our community todayto contribute and support the site. This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. Hello. I'm 32 weeks pregnant and was recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes after failing the 3 hour GTT. I have been given a glucometer and was told to test fasting blood sugar and again at 1 hour following each meal. I've been tracking this for a week now and so far after each meal, I'm below the 135mg/dl cutoff and often times, by a large margin. However, they want my fasting glucose to be below 95mg/dl and so far I've had two readings at 102, one at 105 and another at 99 during the last week. My dietician said that if I couldn't control my glucose through diet alone, I would need to go on insulin but I'm wondering how critical fasting gluocose readings are as long as I'm able to keep my after meal glucose within check. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks! I am 35 weeks pregnant and was diagnosed with GDM right at 32 weeks as well... So, I am definitely not an expert at this, but I have had many conversations with my midwives and asked similar questions to this. As far as I can tell, your fasting level is extremely important. This is what your blood is doing on it's own, without any food. So, if your body is unable to regulate its blood normally, then insulin is necessary. However, a few elevated fasting levels is not a reason to go on insulin. My midwife told me to average all my fasting rates (you know... add them all together and divide by how many there are) and if that number is below your target, then you are still fine. Also, it is very important to eat a high protein snack before bed, or when you wake up to pee in the middle of the night. Sometimes blood sugar levels can be elev Continue reading >>
- Postprandial Blood Glucose Is a Stronger Predictor of Cardiovascular Events Than Fasting Blood Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Particularly in Women: Lessons from the San Luigi Gonzaga Diabetes Study
- Why Is My Fasting Blood Sugar High in the Morning?
- The effect of high-intensity breastfeeding on postpartum glucose tolerance in women with recent gestational diabetes
Gestational Diabetes
Home The Diet Weekly Record Physiology FAQ Principles Special Needs No-Risk Diet Weight Gain Salt Water Bed Rest Herbal Diuretics Vegetarian Twin Pregnancy The Twin Diet Premature Labor Swelling Blood Pressure Pre-eclampsia HELLP/Hemorrhage Mistaken Diagnoses IUGR Underweight Babies Obesity Anemias Gestational Diabetes Abruption Brewer/ACOG Topics News Stories Inaccuracies Research In Memory Letters History Suppression Resources Other Issues Morning Sickness Colds and Flu About Contact Registry Registry II Registry III "Keep your nutritional needs clearly in mind" There is a summary and list of suggestions at the end of this page The following description of gestational diabetes is reprinted from The Brewer Medical Diet for Normal and High-Risk Pregnancy, by Gail Sforza Brewer [Krebs] with Thomas Brewer, M.D., published in 1983. While the standards recommended by the Diabetes Data Group may have been revised in more recent years to yet another, possibly even lower blood glucose level, which I will be researching in coming weeks, the principles advocated by Dr. Brewer in this reprint remain relevant. For an additional source on gestational diabetes, please see "Gestational Diabetes: Myth or Metabolism?", by Joy Jones, RN, which has been reprinted at the end of this page. For more information on testing for blood glucose and proper nutrition for apparently elevated blood glucose levels, please see Understanding Diagnostic Tests in the Childbearing Year, by Anne Frye, CPM, listed on our "Resources" page. Perhaps you can obtain a cop Continue reading >>
- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
- Leeds diabetes clinical champion raises awareness of gestational diabetes for World Diabetes Day
- Gestational Diabetes: The Overlooked Form of Diabetes
Fasting Blood Glucose Levels And Initiation Of Insulin Therapy In Gestational Diabetes.
Abstract OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an initial fasting blood glucose determination will predict which pregnant women will need insulin in addition to dietary measures to maintain fasting glucose levels during gestation. METHODS: All women referred for management of gestational diabetes received dietary counseling and instructions for self-monitoring of blood glucose levels during fasting and at 2 hours after each meal. Insulin therapy was initiated if the fasting blood glucose value exceeded 5.8 mmol/L (105 mg/dL) on more than one occasion, the 2-hour postprandial glucose exceeded 8.3 mmol/L (150 mg/dL), or the 2-hour postprandial glucose exceeded 6.7 mmol/L (120 mg/dL) three times in a week. The use of diet alone or diet plus insulin therapy was determined by review of medical records. RESULTS: Fifty-two pregnant women with fasting blood glucose levels of less than 5.8 mmol/L (105 mg/dL) and with two or more elevated blood glucose values on a 3-hour glucose tolerance test underwent follow-up at least through the 36th week of gestation. In 21 patients, insulin therapy was initiated in addition to diet. Two of five women with an initial fasting glucose level of less than 4.4 mmol/L (80 mg/dL) required insulin, and 8 of 24 women with fasting levels of 5.3 to 5.8 mmol/L (96 to 105 mg/dL) eventually needed insulin. CONCLUSION: The height of the fasting blood glucose level in women with gestational diabetes does not separate those who will maintain blood glucose levels in the targeted therapeutic range on diet alone from those who will need insulin. Therefore, all women with gestational diabetes need to participate in self-monitoring of blood glucose levels. Continue reading >>
- Postprandial Blood Glucose Is a Stronger Predictor of Cardiovascular Events Than Fasting Blood Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Particularly in Women: Lessons from the San Luigi Gonzaga Diabetes Study
- Gene therapy restores normal blood glucose levels in mice with type 1 diabetes
- Diabetes: Can gene therapy normalize blood glucose levels?
Gestational Diabetes: The Numbers Game
Copyright 1998 [email protected]. All rightsreserved. DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is notintended and should not be construed as medical advice. Consultyour health provider. This particular web section isdesigned to present more than one view of a controversialsubject, pro and con. It should be re-emphasizedthat nothing herein should be considered medical advice. One thing that is especially confusing in gd is the variousnumbers that are tossed around all the time. It is very common toget confused! For example, 140 mg/dl is a numberyou see a lot, but it means different things in differentcontexts. It is the cutoff for the one-hour glucose challengetest in pregnancy, it used to be the number for diagnosing 'true'diabetes outside of pregnancy, and it is the cutoff for desirableblood glucose levels one hour after a meal in many programs. Whenthe levels for diagnosing diabetes outside pregnancy wererecently revised to lower levels (126 mg/dl), it confused manypregnant women, who wondered if the cutoff for the one-hour testin pregnancy was also going to be lowered or if their target bGfor one hour after eating was going to be lowered too. The answeris that one has nothing to do with the others. They all refer to differentmeasurements; it is just coincidence that they use the samenumber as a cutoff. But even among those who have studied the basics of gd, thevarious reference numbers commonly used in gd discussions can bevery confusing. Kmom knows from experience that when gd comes upfor discussion on mailing lists, people often mix up theirreferences, compare numbers incorrectly, and generally make thediscussion even more confusing. This websection is an attempt toclarify this very confusing issue and discuss thevarious guidelines that gd women are often given. Continue reading >>
Healthy Blood Sugar Levels For Pregnant Women
Diabetes that begins during pregnancy is called gestational diabetes. This condition affects 5 to 9 percent of all pregnancies in the United States, and it is becoming more common, according to a July 2009 article in "American Family Physician." Pregnancy also aggravates preexisting type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Blood sugar levels that are consistently too high during pregnancy can cause problems for both mother and infant. Video of the Day Diabetes during pregnancy increases the likelihood of congenital malformations, or birth defects, in infants, particularly if your blood glucose is poorly controlled for the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. High blood sugars also contribute to excessive fetal growth, which makes labor and delivery difficult and increases the likelihood of infant fractures or nerve injuries. Large infants are more likely to be delivered via cesarean section. Newborns of diabetic mothers are at risk for respiratory distress, jaundice and dangerously low blood calcium or glucose levels. Gestational diabetes is diagnosed when your blood sugars exceed specified levels following two glucose tolerance tests. The first test, usually performed between the 24th and 28th week of your pregnancy, involves drinking 50 g of a sugar solution and checking your blood glucose one hour later. If your level is above 130 mg/dL, your doctor will probably order a second glucose tolerance test that measures your blood glucose when you are fasting and then each hour for 2 to 3 hours after the test. A fasting glucose higher than 95 mg/dL, a one-hour level above 180 mg/dL, a two-hour level over 155 mg/dL or a three-hour measurement over 140 mg/dL is diagnostic of gestational diabetes. For pregnant women without diabetes, average fasting glucose levels vary between 69 mg/dL and 75 mg/ Continue reading >>
Gestational Diabetes Fasting Blood Sugar 105-110
Gestational Diabetes Fasting Blood Sugar 105-110 If you’re diagnosed with gestational diabetes (GD), it’s very important to keep your blood glucose (sugar) level within the target range. You may need to check it several times a day – typically before meal (fasting) and after meal. Fasting blood sugar 105 and 110 mg /dL are commonly considered abnormal. These high levels are still too dangerous for pregnancy. The good news, GD is controllable and you can still have a healthy pregnancy. As the name suggests, it occurs during pregnancy – and it’s only found in pregnancy. You cannot get rid of it during pregnancy, but again it’s treatable! And it usually goes away on its own after giving birth. Like diabetes mellitus, in GD the body also loses its natural ability to use glucose (sugar) for energy as effectively as usual. What is the exact cause? The answer is not fully known yet. But there are some explanations. The increased pregnancy hormones, especially in late pregnancy, are often to blame. The placenta is essential part of pregnancy. It is responsible to stimulate and produce essential hormones for baby development and growth during pregnancy. But some of these hormones can interrupt with the mother’s insulin that may cause a condition called insulin resistance (when insulin doesn’t work as effectively as usual). The demand for insulin can significantly increase during pregnancy, could be 2-3 times greater than normal. In some pregnancies, the body fails to make enough insulin, and GD may develop. Insulin is essential hormone that plays a key role in your glucose metabolism. It is produced by pancreas. With insulin, glucose in the blood can be effectively absorbed by cells of the body for energy. And if there something goes awry with insulin, the body Continue reading >>
- Postprandial Blood Glucose Is a Stronger Predictor of Cardiovascular Events Than Fasting Blood Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Particularly in Women: Lessons from the San Luigi Gonzaga Diabetes Study
- Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Strategy (WINGS): Methodology and development of model of care for gestational diabetes mellitus (WINGS 4)
- Fasting blood sugar: Normal levels and testing
