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NABL & ICMRAccreditedThe Postprandial Blood Sugar (PPBS) test is a diagnostic blood test used to screen for diabetes by measuring glucose levels after a meal. "Postprandial" refers to the period following a meal. This test assesses how your body manages sugar and starch digestion after eating. It is typically performed following a fasting blood sugar (FBS) test, which measures glucose levels after an 8-12 hour fast.
After you eat, blood sugar levels spike as the food is broken down. In response, the pancreas releases insulin, a hormone that facilitates the movement of glucose from the blood into cells for energy, thereby controlling blood sugar levels. However, in diabetes, the body either fails to produce sufficient insulin or doesn’t use it effectively, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes is characterized by abnormally high blood glucose and can be classified into different types:
Prediabetes: Blood sugar levels are elevated but not yet high enough to qualify as diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes: The immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, resulting in little to no insulin production.
Type 2 Diabetes: The body fails to produce enough insulin or develops insulin resistance.
Gestational Diabetes: This form of diabetes develops during pregnancy and typically resolves after delivery.
The PPBS blood test is essential for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes. Regular testing helps to prevent serious complications of high blood sugar, such as damage to the nerves, heart, kidneys, and eyes, thus promoting overall health.
The PPBS blood test assesses blood glucose levels two hours after consuming a meal to evaluate how effectively your body processes sugars. Glucose, derived from the digestion of carbohydrates in food, is the primary sugar present in the bloodstream, acting as the main source of energy.
Typically, blood sugar levels increase rapidly post-meal, as the pancreas releases insulin. The insulin hormone allows the glucose to enter from the blood into cells for energy. As cells absorb glucose, both blood sugar and insulin levels diminish and typically normalize within two hours. In individuals with diabetes, however, this regulation fails, leading to persistently high blood sugar levels due to inadequate insulin production or inefficient insulin use.
The PPBS test helps your doctor determine if your body properly manages sugar. Persistent high glucose levels two hours after eating may indicate diabetes may require further testing with tests like the haemoglobin A1c or glucose tolerance test for confirmation.
Here’s a quick guide to preparing for a PPBS test at home:
Prerequisites
You don't need to fast for the PPBS test itself. However, fasting might be necessary if additional tests like haemoglobin A1c, fasting blood glucose, or glucose tolerance are also ordered. Make sure to inform your doctor about any medications or supplements you’re taking.
The best time to get tested
The test is typically conducted two hours after eating a meal with at least 75 grams of carbohydrates. Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding the exact timing and preparation.
Who Should Take the PPBS Test
This test is recommended for those with symptoms such as frequent urination, blurred vision, severe fatigue, excessive thirst, and unexplained weight loss. It is also applicable for individuals with diabetes risk factors like a family history of diabetes, increased age (45 or older), high blood pressure, obesity, lack of exercise, or a history of gestational diabetes. It is used for screening and diagnosing gestational diabetes, as well as monitoring diabetes treatment.
Cautions before taking the PPBS test
No specific precautions are necessary. You should rest before the test, as physical activity can increase blood sugar levels. Complete your meal and avoid smoking or eating snacks during the two-hour wait period before the test.
If your doctor suspects diabetes or conditions affecting insulin function, they may recommend a PPBS blood test, especially if you exhibit symptoms such as feeling tired, experiencing blurry vision, having slow-healing sores, frequent urination, feeling unusually thirsty, or suffering from recurrent infections.
Those with risk factors for diabetes, like a family history of the disease or obesity, might also need this test. It can be part of routine screening during physical exams or for assessing gestational diabetes in pregnant women. Gestational diabetes should be adequately managed for the health of both mother and baby. Moreover, the PPBS test helps in evaluating how effective the treatment is for individuals already diagnosed with diabetes.
Understanding the importance of a PPBS blood test and interpreting its results is crucial. Here's how to read the results:
| Test Name | Units | Normal Range |
|---|---|---|
| Glucose, Post Prandial | mg/dL | 70-140 |
If your blood sugar level exceeds the normal range two hours post-meal, it could suggest diabetes. Your doctor will take into account your age, gender, medical history, and other test results to determine what the results mean.
Conditions related to altered blood sugar levels include:
Low blood sugar levels may result from starvation, insulinomas (insulin-producing pancreatic tumours), excessive insulin intake, excessive alcohol consumption, severe infections, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), adrenal insufficiency (underactive adrenal glands), severe liver disease, or hypopituitarism (underactive pituitary gland).
High blood sugar levels can be caused by conditions other than diabetes, such as acute stress (from trauma, heart attack, or stroke), Cushing syndrome (elevated cortisol levels), acromegaly (excessive growth hormone), pancreatitis (pancreatic inflammation), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), or pancreatic cancer.
The PPBS test costs ₹ 100. This price includes rapid PPBS test home collection within 60 minutes of booking, with reports ready in 6 hours.
A PPBS test is used to evaluate how your body manages sugar levels and starch after eating. The test is essentially helpful in the diagnosis and management of diabetes and other glucose metabolism disorders.
Fasting is not necessary for the PPBS test. Your doctor will advise you on any fasting requirements if additional tests are needed.
Yes, Orange Health Labs provides home sample collection for the PPBS test in Delhi. You can schedule the test via the Orange Health Labs website or app, and an eMedic will collect the sample within 60 minutes of your booking.
To book any blood test or health checkup with Orange Health Labs in Delhi:
Search for the test: Find the PPBS Test in Delhi or for home collection and select the Orange Health listing.
Review and Book: Choose the test, review prerequisites, enter your address, and confirm your booking by selecting a suitable time slot for sample collection.
Sample Collection: A trained eMedic will collect the sample at your home within your chosen time slot.
Lab Processing: The sample will be sent to our NABL-accredited and ICMR-approved labs for analysis.
Receive Results: Your reports will be emailed or sent via WhatsApp within 6 hours, and they will also be accessible on our app.
Normal glucose levels for the PPBS blood test range from 70 to 140 mg/dL.
The PPBS test involves a quick blood sample collection, typically done within a few minutes. With Orange Health Labs, samples are collected within 60 minutes of booking, and results are provided within 6 hours.
The frequency of PPBS tests depends on your individual health needs and will be determined by your doctor.
The PPBS test measures blood glucose levels two hours after a meal, giving insights into your body's ability to process and regulate sugar post-meal.
The PPBS test helps detect diabetes and other disorders related to insulin by evaluating how your body handles sugar after eating.
Yes, the PPBS test can be used to diagnose diabetes.
Risk factors for diabetes include being overweight or obese, being 45 years or older, leading a sedentary lifestyle, having a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, and unhealthy eating habits. A history of gestational diabetes or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) also increases diabetes risk.
Orange Health Labs offers convenient PPBS tests at home at various locations in Delhi. It includes various locations like Connaught Place, Chandni Chowk, Karol Bagh, Lajpat Nagar, South Extension, Greater Kailash, Hauz Khas, Saket, Vasant Kunj, Dwarka, Rohini, Pitampura, Janakpuri, Rajouri Garden, Mayur Vihar, Preet Vihar, Shahdara, Laxmi Nagar, Green Park, Safdarjung Enclave, Defence Colony, New Friends Colony, Kalkaji, Malviya Nagar, and Nehru Place.
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