What is the diagnosis if at least two of four glucose tolerance test thresholds are exceeded?

The diagnosis of gestational diabetes is established when at least two of the four glucose tolerance test thresholds are exceeded. This condition occurs during pregnancy when a woman has elevated blood glucose levels, which can affect both maternal and fetal health. The glucose tolerance test typically involves a woman ingesting a specific amount of glucose and measuring her blood glucose levels at intervals afterward. Exceeding these thresholds indicates that the body is unable to effectively process glucose, which is characteristic of gestational diabetes.

In contrast, normal glucose metabolism would imply that all thresholds are met without exceedance, indicating healthy blood sugar regulation. Being classified as "at risk for diabetes" may occur if one or fewer thresholds are exceeded or if there are other risk factors present, but it does not specifically meet the criteria for diagnosing gestational diabetes. Insulin resistance is a broader term referring to a condition where cells in the body do not respond effectively to insulin, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels but does not directly confirm gestational diabetes without the glucose tolerance test results indicating the specific thresholds have been surpassed. Thus, the identification of exceeding at least two established thresholds specifically points to gestational diabetes.