How to Determine Pre-pregnancy and Post-pregnancy Diabetes
Disease description:
At over one month pregnant, fasting blood glucose was found to be 8.21. After controlling diet for ten days, a follow-up test showed fasting blood glucose of 6.41, and the result was diagnosed as gestational diabetes. However, blood glucose was never tested before pregnancy, so I don't know whether my blood glucose levels were high previously. I would like to understand how to differentiate between pre-existing diabetes and gestational diabetes.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhao Xiaodong
The determination of pre-pregnancy and gestational diabetes is primarily achieved through blood glucose testing. Pre-pregnancy diabetes is usually diagnosed based on a fasting blood glucose level of ≥7.0 mmol/L or a random blood glucose level of ≥11.1 mmol/L, as well as reaching the corresponding criteria at any point during a glucose tolerance test. Gestational diabetes, on the other hand, is diagnosed using a 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), measuring fasting blood glucose and blood glucose levels at 1 hour and 2 hours after glucose intake. The respective thresholds are <5.1 mmol/L, <10.0 mmol/L, and <8.5 mmol/L; a blood glucose level equal to or exceeding any of these thresholds confirms the diagnosis.
For pre-pregnancy diabetes, if already diagnosed, closer monitoring of blood glucose levels is required during pregnancy to prevent fluctuations that could affect the fetus. In both pre-pregnancy and prenatal periods, timely consultation with a physician and development of an individualized management plan are essential.
