Gestational diabetes check at how many weeks?

Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
Updated on November 22, 2024
00:00
00:00

Screening for gestational diabetes is generally recommended between 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy, using a 75g glucose tolerance test to measure fasting blood glucose, blood glucose one hour after consuming glucose, and blood glucose two hours after consuming glucose. However, for pregnant women with high-risk factors, it is recommended to screen for blood glucose at their first prenatal visit. High-risk factors include women with a history of gestational diabetes, a history of delivering a large baby, obesity or polycystic ovary syndrome, those with a first-degree relative with a history of diabetes, positive fasting blood glucose or urinary glucose in early pregnancy, those who have had multiple unexplained miscarriages, fetal malformation, stillbirth history, and women who have given birth to newborns with respiratory distress syndrome. These women should all be screened for blood glucose at their first prenatal visit.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
41sec home-news-image

Early symptoms of type 2 diabetes

The typical symptoms of type 2 diabetes are referred to as "three excesses and one deficiency." The three excesses include excessive thirst and dry mouth, increased appetite with frequent hunger, and increased urination. The one deficiency refers to weight loss; these are the more typical symptoms. Some patients might often find out about their elevated blood sugar during routine health checks at work. Others may seek medical advice due to issues like skin itchiness or wounds that heal poorly after injury. Some might mainly experience numbness in their hands and feet, or blurred vision among other symptoms.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
50sec home-news-image

What to eat for diabetic foot

For patients with diabetic foot ulcers, first, their diet should control blood sugar. Foods with a high glycemic index like porridge, glutinous rice, and rice noodle rolls should be avoided. Additionally, sweet foods are also off-limits; it's important for meals to be regular and measured. Second, as patients with diabetic foot ulcers need nutrients for wound healing, they can eat foods high in protein such as eggs, fish, fish soup, and lean meats to promote wound healing. Third, if the patient also has high blood lipids, it's advisable to maintain a light diet and avoid greasy foods.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Gan Jun
Endocrinology
59sec home-news-image

How to determine if you have diabetes

If a patient experiences significant symptoms of dry mouth, excessive thirst, increased urination with more foamy urine, increased appetite, but an unexplained weight loss, known as the "three polys and one low" symptoms, it is necessary to monitor fasting blood glucose. If the fasting blood glucose exceeds 7.0 mmol/L or the blood glucose two hours after a meal exceeds 11.1 mmol/L, or if there are no clear "three polys and one low" symptoms but random blood glucose levels exceed 11.1 mmol/L on two occasions, a diagnosis of diabetes can be confirmed. At the same time, it is essential to rule out secondary effects on blood sugar levels caused by infections, trauma, or the use of steroid medications. It is also recommended that the patient undergo tests for glycated hemoglobin, as well as insulin and C-peptide release tests, to further clarify the diagnosis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Yin Xing
Obstetrics
1min 5sec home-news-image

Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes

The symptoms of gestational diabetes differ from those of non-pregnancy diabetes; non-pregnancy diabetes is mainly characterized by excessive drinking, eating, urination, and weight loss. During pregnancy, excessive drinking and eating may be physiological responses due to increased appetite, and frequent urination may be caused by the enlarged uterus pressing on the bladder during early pregnancy. Weight loss is generally not apparent in gestational diabetes due to the growth of the fetus, the uterus, and the increase in amniotic fluid. For women who had a higher body mass index before pregnancy and a family history of diabetes, it is recommended to start glucose tolerance screening from the time of planning to conceive. For those who gain weight rapidly after becoming pregnant and have a significant increase in amniotic fluid, we typically conduct routine diabetes screening between 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes has severe impacts on the pregnant woman, the fetus, and the newborn, thus early detection and treatment are advised.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yang Li
Endocrinology
53sec home-news-image

Early symptoms of diabetes in men

Symptoms of diabetes in men in the early stages first require distinguishing by gender. Diabetes can be characterized by "three excesses and one deficiency": excessive drinking, excessive eating, excessive urination, and weight loss, which are typical symptoms. Of course, many patients, such as those in the early stages of type 2 diabetes, may have atypical symptoms such as itchy skin, blurred vision, and foamy urine which appears more foamy. There might also be dental cavities characterized by severe decay, or some men might experience sexual dysfunction. These symptoms may be related to diabetes, and if these symptoms appear, it is important to consider checking blood sugar levels to confirm the presence of diabetes.