Is a fasting blood glucose level of 5.6 mmol/L in pregnant women considered serious?
Disease description:
My wife is three months pregnant, and her blood glucose level was measured at 5.6 mmol/L. Is this a serious condition?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng
A fasting blood glucose level of 5.6 mmol/L in pregnant women is already higher than the normal standard and indicates abnormal glucose levels, although it cannot directly indicate the severity. Further tests are required to confirm a diagnosis and assess the risks.
The diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes are well established. A diagnosis can be made if any one of the following criteria is met: fasting blood glucose ≥5.1 mmol/L, blood glucose ≥10.0 mmol/L one hour after glucose intake, or blood glucose ≥8.5 mmol/L two hours after glucose intake. A fasting blood glucose level of 5.6 mmol/L has already exceeded the threshold of 5.1 mmol/L. At this point, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is required to confirm the diagnosis, which involves measuring blood glucose levels when fasting and at one and two hours after glucose intake. If one or more of the three measurements meet the criteria, gestational diabetes can be diagnosed.
If gestational diabetes is confirmed and blood glucose is not controlled in a timely manner, it can significantly affect both maternal and fetal health. For the fetus, it may lead to excessive fetal growth, increasing the risk of difficult labor and cesarean section; it can also cause delayed fetal lung maturation, preterm birth, and newborns are prone to hypoglycemia, jaundice, and other problems after birth. For the pregnant woman, high blood glucose during pregnancy increases the risk of preeclampsia and infections, and significantly increases the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
The first step is to adjust the diet, reducing intake of high-sugar foods such as refined rice, flour, and candy, and increasing consumption of whole grains and vegetables rich in dietary fiber. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help avoid large post-meal blood glucose fluctuations. Secondly, moderate exercise should be maintained, such as taking a 30-minute walk or engaging in low-intensity exercises like prenatal yoga daily, which can help lower blood glucose levels.
