What people say about us
Search for tests or checkups
Support
Mins HomeCollection
HappyCustomers
GoogleRating
NABL & ICMRAccreditedThe postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) test is a blood test used to screen for diabetes by measuring blood glucose levels after a meal. The term "postprandial" denotes the period after eating. This test assesses how effectively your body manages sugar and starch digestion following a meal. It is typically performed after a fasting blood sugar (FBS) test, which measures glucose levels after fasting for 8-12 hours.
Following a meal, blood glucose levels rise as the food gets digested. The pancreas releases insulin, which helps move glucose from the blood into the cells for energy, thus controlling blood sugar levels. In diabetes, there is either insufficient insulin production or a failure to respond properly to insulin, causing elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes, a condition marked by very high blood sugar levels, includes several types:
Prediabetes: When blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes: The body resists insulin’s effects or does not produce enough insulin.
Type 1 Diabetes: The immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to little or no insulin.
Gestational Diabetes: This type occurs during pregnancy and typically resolves after delivery.
The PPBS test is vital for detecting and managing diabetes. Regular testing can prevent serious complications from high blood sugar, such as nerve damage, cardiovascular issues, kidney problems, and eye damage, and promote overall well-being.
The PPBS test measures blood glucose levels two hours following a meal to understand how your body manages sugar after eating, Glucose, the main sugar in the blood, is essential for energy and comes from the breakdown of carbohydrates in your diet.
Post-meal, blood sugar levels rise sharply, prompting the pancreas to release insulin, which facilitates the movement of glucose from the bloodstream into cells. This reduces blood sugar and insulin levels, typically bringing them back to normal within two hours. In diabetes, however, high blood sugar persists due to inadequate insulin production or ineffective insulin use.
The PPBS test helps determine how well your body regulates blood sugar two hours after a meal. If glucose levels remain elevated, it may signal diabetes, requiring further diagnostic tests like the haemoglobin A1c or glucose tolerance test to confirm the condition.
Preparing for a PPBS test involves simple steps. Here's what you need to know:
Prerequisites
There are no specific prerequisites such as fasting for the PPBS test. However, fasting might be required if additional tests like fasting blood glucose, haemoglobin A1c, or glucose tolerance are ordered. Notify about any medications or supplements that you may be taking to your doctor.
The best time to get tested
The test is performed two hours after eating a meal with a minimum of 75 grams of carbohydrates. Your doctor will provide details on the timing and preparation needed for the test.
Who Should take the PPBS test
The test may be recommended if you have symptoms like tiredness, frequent urination, blurred vision, excessive thirst, or unexplained weight loss. It’s also used for those with risk factors such as high blood pressure, being older than 45 years, obesity, a family history of diabetes, a sedentary lifestyle, or a history of gestational diabetes. It is useful for screening for prediabetes, diabetes screening, diagnosing gestational diabetes, and monitoring diabetes treatment.
Cautions before taking the PPBS test
No specific cautions are necessary. It’s advised to rest before the test, as physical activity can increase blood sugar levels. Complete your meal and avoid smoking or snacking during the two-hour wait before the test.
If your doctor suspects you have diabetes or conditions affecting insulin function, a PPBS blood test may be recommended, especially if you have symptoms like
Increased thirst
Frequency urination
Recurrent infections
Slow wound healing
Fatigue
Blurry vision
This test might also be necessary if you have diabetes risk factors, such as obesity or a family history of the disease. It can be part of routine physical exams for diabetes screening and is particularly important during pregnancy to check for gestational diabetes, which helps protect both the mother and the baby. Moreover, the PPBS test is used to evaluate the effectiveness of diabetes treatment in those already diagnosed with the condition.
Understanding how to interpret PPBS test results and their significance is important.
A blood sugar level above normal two hours after eating could indicate diabetes. Your doctor will consider your age, gender, medical history, and results from other tests to interpret the findings.
Here’s how to interpret them:
| Test Name | Units | Normal Range |
|---|---|---|
| Glucose, Post Prandial | mg/dL | 70-140 |
Conditions linked to abnormal sugar levels include:
High blood sugar levels (beyond diabetes) can be due to hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), Cushing syndrome (high cortisol), acute stress (trauma, heart attack, or stroke), acromegaly (excess growth hormone), pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis (pancreatic inflammation)
Low blood sugar levels can be a sign of starvation, recurrent infections, taking too much insulin, insulinomas (insulin-producing pancreatic tumours), excessive alcohol intake, adrenal insufficiency (underactive adrenal glands), severe liver disease, hypopituitarism (underactive pituitary gland), or hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
The PPBS Test in Mumbai is priced at ₹ 120. This involves rapid PPBS test home collection of blood sample within 60 minutes of booking, and the test results are delivered within 6 hours.
The PPBS test measures your body's ability to handle sugar and starch post-meal, which helps diagnose and manage diabetes and related glucose metabolism issues.
You do not need to fast for a PPBS test. If additional tests are needed, your doctor will provide instructions on fasting.
Yes, you can have the PPBS test at home in Mumbai with Orange Health Labs. Book via our site or app, and an eMedic will arrive within 60 minutes to collect your sample.
To schedule a PPBS test at home or any blood test or health checkup with Orange Health Labs, follow the steps:
Look up the PPBS Test for Mumbai or home on our site and click on the Orange Health listing.
Review test details, confirm your address, and pick a convenient time for sample collection.
Our eMedic will visit your home to collect the sample within the selected time.
The sample will be processed at our accredited labs.
Receive your results via email or WhatsApp within 6 hours; they are also available on our app.
The normal glucose levels for the PPBS blood test are between 70 and 140 mg/dL.
The blood sample collection for the PPBS test is quick and usually takes only a few minutes. With Orange Health Labs, your sample will be collected within 60 minutes of booking and you will get your reports within 6 hours of sample collection.
The frequency of getting a PPBS blood test will be determined by your doctor according to your specific health requirements.
The PPBS blood test evaluates the parameter of blood sugar levels two hours post-meal, revealing how your body manages sugar and regulates glucose after food intake.
Through the PPBS test, conditions such as diabetes and other issues related to insulin dysfunction can be diagnosed by evaluating your body's post-meal sugar management.
Yes, the PPBS test can diagnose diabetes.
The likelihood of developing diabetes is higher if you are obese or overweight, elderly, lead a sedentary lifestyle, suffer from high blood pressure, have a family history of diabetes, or maintain unhealthy eating habits. A history of NAFLD or gestational diabetes also contributes to higher risk.
Orange Health Labs provides convenient PPBS tests at home covering various localities such as Colaba, Nariman Point, Marine Drive, Malabar Hill, Churchgate, Worli, Dadar, Parel, Byculla, Bandra, Andheri, Juhu, Ghatkopar, Powai, Chembur, Vashi, Belapur, Santacruz, Khar, Versova, Lokhandwala, Goregaon, Borivali, Kandivali, Mulund, Bhandup, and Kurla.
What people say about us
Payment & Refund Policy