I was told after taking the 3 hour glucose test that I have Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT). I was also told that it is absolutely not gestational diabetes. They told me that treatment is to maintain a diet similar to that of a person who has GD but that I don’t have to check my blood sugar or see a high risk doctor even though the risks to my baby and me are darn near the same as if I had GD. However since I don’t have to check my blood sugar or see a high risk doctor, I have yet to be told how IGT will be monitored throughout the duration of my pregnancy (10 weeks). Of course they tell me all of this yesterday (Friday) so I’m into the weekend with no one to get back to me until Monday at the earliest. I feel like I’ve been given a serious diagnosis of something but without a safety net because it’s not as serious as it could be. So my question is, how will Impaired Glucose Tolerance be monitored for these last 10 weeks of my pregnancy? How do I know the diet is taking care of everything? How do I know the baby is okay and will be okay after he’s born?

Hi,

I have been reading two very useful books, and suggest that you read both of them – they take the time to explain how diabetes works.

My guess is your doctor is not to worried about your diabetes, and that simple diet changes will make you better. On the other hand, if you continue to have poor health, you are subject (just like the general public can get diabetes) to increased risk of getting diabetes.

However just like your doctor says, it is easy for you to avoid diabetes. Suggestions in Dr. Young’s book is becoming more alkaline will assist in resisting diabetes, and also allowed test subjects to reduce their medications by 50% or more.

Dr. Barnard suggest that you reduce animal fats, and eat much more vegetables, (this happens to reduce your total acidity) to control your diabetes. Eating healthy as suggested in the book is good for everyone, not just the pregnant or diabetic person.

HE also says that Cinnamon is great for a diabetic, because it causes sugars to be absorbed more slowly in test subjects. So I suggest that breakfast be oatmeal with 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and some chopped up apple. It is fairly low acid content, and not nearly as acidic as eating meat and eggs for breakfast.

A drastic diet change is not really recomended by your doctor (at least from your description) so I would not change to much at this point.

You might also check with your local pharmacy, and see if they offer free blood sugar level testing. Sometimes they will offer a free test or two.

A diabetic that is looking for the history of their average blood sugar level is A1c test. If this is below 7.5%, you can consider yourself close to normal, but above 8%, you will need to seek a better doctor, or perhaps see a diatition who specialzes in diabetes.

Best of luck to you, and Merry Christmas, Happy New year!