question about GD glucose readings

[shelbert6]

I have recently been diagnosed with GD and am adhering to a strict diet based on calories.  I have fasting sugars in the am between 81-88 always, and my 2 hour after meal sugars have been between 91-106 always.  My dietician expects the following goals:  fasting less than 100 and 2 hour after meal less than 120.  My question is, are these goals reflecting what normal blood sugars should be for a non-diabetic, or are they blood sugars in a range that a diabetic should be able to attain, yet not quite at the non-diabetic level?  I just want to know if I am being challenged at a normal level, or given goals that still allow the baby to float in sugar, just not as bad.

Regards,
Shelly

[JDRF-Team-dm]

Dear Shelly,
I'm not a physician, but a volunteer with JDRF. I never had to deal with GD, but as a mother with a son with type 1, it looks like you are in good control. I would think that you would want to attain normal blood sugars even if you had type 1 or 2 diabetes. From your numbers it looks like you are doing well.  I have sent emails out to other volunteers who have more experience then myself. I'm sure there will be more comments to follow. I will follow up myself with more information.  I would like to know how far along you are. I looked for websites that deal with GD, but couldn't find one that I am comfortable with recommending.  I wish you the best of luck and I will do further research. Keep in touch.
dm

[JDRF Team SGG]

I am a type 1 diabetic who has had two children. The numbers you are giving us sound like ideal numbers for a non-diabetic person, so you needn't worry about the health of your baby at all with numbers like these. For the diabetic, the goal is of course to keep the sugars low, also, but it is more difficult for the diabetic to attain after-meal sugars of 120. The teams of doctors who worked with me aimed for after-meal sugars of under 150 for a type 1 diabetic, and, frankly, they did not find too many women who were able to manage this on a regular basis without risking severe hypoglycemic episdodes at times. I would put my fears aside and keep aiming for these numbers. You really don't want fasting to be lower than 80, for your energy levels would suffer. And most people consider an after-meal blood sugar of just under 120 still in the very healthy, normal not-diabetic range -- 120 seems to be the magic number above which folks are labelled possibly diabetic. Best of luck to you. It sounds as if you are doing great. Frankly, even if, later on in the pregnancy, your after-meal sugars do creep up to 150 or thereabouts, there is no danger to you or to your baby at that level, for it is so close to normal that it won't hurt your baby at all.

[shelbert6]

Thank you very much for your prompt reply and the information provided.  I am 33 weeks and was diagnosed at 30 weeks, as opposed to the standard of 28 weeks.  So who knows how long baby has been floating in the "sugar bath", but all ultrasounds indicate that she is withing normal weight range and healthy.  I have been unable to find in my research set numbers for a "normal" glucose range.  I almost feel as though I have become slightly obsessive about the numbers in an attempt to make up for the time that I have put my baby at extra risk.  Your information has given me relief that I am doing well at this point.  Thank you very much.  I will monitor for more comments.

Sincerely with appreciation,
Shelly