The 3 Hour Test...

I received an update Friday, a day after I took my initial 1 hr glucose from the lab providing my results.  The range is basically anything below 140, means not gestational diabetic (GD) anything above 190 means automatically GD.  I fell right at 160.  👎🥴 

I did some research and was hopeful that because I was still below 190, there is still a good possibility that I would be able to pass the 3 hr test.  I've only had to take it once before...and I remember it being pretty yucky.  Not just the whole being poked in each arm twice within hours, but having an empty stomach, then filling it with syrup🤢🤮.  At this point, rather than get too worked up about something I really can't change...I decided to just wait until I heard back from the doctor's office.  

4 days later, (Tuesday) the doctor's office called and my nurse let me know that I had failed the 1 hr test and would be required to come back in for the 3 hr test.  She let me know that I needed to come back in this week, no appointment necessary, but I would need to fast for 12 hours before (water was allowed) and be to the office by 8:30am.  

She said they would take my blood when I arrived, to get my fasting level.  Then they would give me 100ml 10oz glucose drink this time and draw my blood every 1 hour for 3 hours.  She let me know that if I failed two hours out of the three, I would be considered GD and would also begin to see a high risk specialist, in addition to Dr. F. 

She also let me know that my iron levels were at a 9.9 and she recommended that I begin taking iron supplements.

So now armed with this information I decided to find ways to increase my dietary fiber and my protein (since I don't eat meat).  

I found some food recipe for some smoothies, which I began making in the morning before work.  I put some almond milk, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, apples, banana, lime, spinach, protein powder, and flax seed.  I figured it had to be a little healthier than a handful of cereal😜.

I also started eating some Greek yogurt, with a handful of granola for lunch and some crackers and cheese and pistachios for snacks.  Probably too little too late...but I figure it can't hurt, right?!

Well...Friday arrived and I followed the protocol to a T.  Fasted, arrived, gave blood...4 times and stayed as optimistic as I could😃👍

The phlebotomist let me know I would get my results from the lab most likely on Monday, and let me know that if I failed two of the three or all three, I would have to go on "The Diet".  🤷🏼‍♀️🫤. 

The diet?  I'm not sure what that is...but for someone who lives primarily off of carbs, doesn't sound good!  I have known a few diabetics in my life, but not close enough to really understand what they have to do...and I think it's different when your diet just impacts you versus two little people's health that are also relying on your choices.

So, although I'm exhausted and feeling pretty crummy at the moment, I'm staying optimistic and positive that my body will do what it needs to do...and if I fail, because I check every box that makes me high risk (over 35, overweight, and carrying twins), then I will cross that bridge when I come to it🥴.

***Update Saturday afternoon I received the results from the lab.  I failed both the first and second hour tests. My blood sugar level didn't drop until before the third hour.  Soooo...I'm going to be considered GD, required to see a specialist, and will be be put on "The Diet".  I'm not sure what it will consist of but I'm choosing to stay positive.  I can do hard things, I already am going without foods I enjoy, so I'll just add a few more things to the list 🤷🏼‍♀️🥴.  It's only 3 more months.  I can do this...whatever it is.  So for now I'll wait until I get scheduled for an appointment where they can give me the exact details of what my new diet should consist of, instead of just speculating and expecting the worst. 🫤🥰