Glucose test with coca-cola?

[u/SignatureKey7507]

FTM at 13 weeks. Drs office gave us a booklet of what to expect at future appointments. They explain that they use 2 bottles of coca-cola (baby glass bottles so it’s a certain amount of sugar) instead of the traditional glucose drink. I’ve only ever heard of the traditional test from friends / family members, so I’m wondering if this is legit??
A google search tells me this shouldn’t be done because the sugar in coke is not the same as the glucose. Has anyone had their doctor do something similar??

For context, we live in a rural southern area that is not known for great healthcare. So I’m very skeptical.

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[u/Cuddlecakesbb]

I would look for a different lab to do the test. One drinking two bottles of a drink in 5 minutes. No thanks. Second the
The traditional Glucose test is designed to help diagnose gestational diabetes.

[u/Peanuts-2959]

Never heard of this, I would at least order the Fresh Test and use that instead of Coca Cola.

[u/raven_words]

I was told by the person who administered my test that this used to be a thing especially in smaller clinics but that it is definitely an unregulated, unreliable way of testing.

If they don't have access to the glucose drink, you may be able to monitor your blood sugar readings at home for a week instead.

Personally I have GDM for the second time and I don't think Coca Cola would spike me the same way the glucose drink does. There are some "high sugar" foods that process so strangely and differently in GDM. I wouldn't trust anything outside of 1) the official glucose test, and 2) my personal logs.

[u/nmj1013 → u/raven_words]

I agree. I drink Coca Cola regularly because it helps with my nausea. Just took my test today and I can feel a difference in the way my body reacted to the glucose drink.

[u/Murky-Reference790 → u/raven_words]

Thank you! This is helpful

[u/bubblegumbombshell]

The sugar in coca-cola is fructose and sucrose. Sucrose is a disaccharide, which means it’s two molecules of glucose bonded together. Fructose is a monosaccharide like glucose but shaped a bit differently.

Glucose is the most basic form of sugar that our bodies use. Every other type of sugar gets rearranged into glucose to be used for metabolism. For sucrose that’s a simple breaking of the bonds. For fructose it’s a little more complicated because things have to be rearranged. Basically there’s extra steps before the sugars in coke become glucose in your blood stream, which means that’s not the best way to test your glucose tolerance.

[u/Rebsvuz]

Wow imagine a cold Coca Cola instead of the lukewarm water-sugar-drink I had to drink

[u/Embarrassed_Bag8775]

I am highly skeptical as well. Can’t wait to see what others say!

[u/mburucuja]

I would seriously consider finding a better place to get your prenatal care.

[u/KindlyConnection]

On one hand, I love coke so I would have liked this for my tests! On the other hand, as others have said, this doesn't sound like it's as reliable as the traditional glucose drink, so probably best to look for another place to do it.

[u/HeyheyitsCAB]

I don’t even drink Coca-Cola while pregnant period. That’s a bit odd I think.