From the Research
Women who had gestational diabetes should have their blood glucose checked at least twice daily, but the frequency of testing may be reduced to twice daily if their blood glucose levels are well-controlled, as evidenced by a study published in the Canadian journal of diabetes 1.
Key Points to Consider
- The study found that twice-daily capillary blood glucose testing generated similar 14-day average values to 4-times-daily testing in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) whose blood glucose levels were in target range 1.
- Reducing the frequency of blood glucose testing to twice daily may reduce inconvenience and cost for women with well-controlled GDM 1.
- However, it is essential to note that the UK guidelines recommend annual blood glucose testing for women who had gestational diabetes, with a fasting plasma glucose test at 6-13 weeks postpartum and annual HbA1c testing thereafter if the initial test is normal.
- Lifestyle modifications, including maintaining a healthy weight, regular physical activity, and a balanced diet, are also crucial in reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in women who had gestational diabetes.
Additional Considerations
- Other studies have compared the efficacy of metformin and insulin in regulating blood glucose levels during gestational diabetes mellitus, but these studies do not directly address the frequency of blood glucose testing 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The most recent and highest-quality study on this topic is the one published in the Canadian journal of diabetes in 2020, which provides evidence for reducing the frequency of blood glucose testing in women with well-controlled GDM 1.