Post Prandial Blood Sugar (PPBS) Test

The Post Prandial Blood Sugar Test (PPBS) is done two hours after you start eating a meal. It helps detect prediabetes, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes,  gestational diabetes and other types of diabetes. If your postprandial blood sugar levels are above 140-200 mg/dL, it indicates that you may have diabetes mellitus.

The Blood Sugar Postprandial Test helps to understand how your body processes sugars. The blood sugar levels usually increase after a meal. If your pancreas functions properly and releases insulin, the blood glucose levels gradually decrease as the body uses them for energy.

In healthy individuals, blood sugar levels usually drop back to normal levels after meals. But if you have prediabetes, diabetes, or gestational diabetes, your body either fails to produce sufficient insulin or does not respond effectively to the insulin produced, resulting in higher blood sugar levels.

Other Names of Post Prandial Blood Sugar Test

• Two-hour blood sugars
• Blood Sugar Postprandial Test
• PP Glucose
• PPBS
• Blood Sugar PP

What does the test measure, and who is this prescribed for?

The postprandial blood sugar test helps to understand how your body processes sugars after a meal. It can be helpful to:

1. Diagnose the following health conditions: 

• Prediabetes
• Type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes
• Gestational diabetes
• Other types of diabetes

1. Screening - screening of people at risk of developing diabetes.
2. Monitoring the diabetes control - For patients diagnosed with diabetes, this test helps to evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing treatment and dietary control.

The test measures your blood glucose levels after meals. Once you eat something, the glucose in the food is released and broken down. Your body produces insulin to break down the glucose and store it or use it as energy.

When you have diabetes, prediabetes, or gestational diabetes, your body can't produce insulin or utilise insulin properly. As a result, your blood sugar levels are high, and this can be detected with the Blood Sugar Postprandial Test.

The Blood Sugar Postprandial Test can be advised for all genders and age groups. People with a high risk of developing diabetes are advised to get the postprandial blood sugar test done. You may face a greater risk of developing diabetes if:

• You are above 40 years of age.
• You have a family member suffering from diabetes.
• You are pregnant, and you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
• You are pregnant with gestational diabetes.
• You are overweight or obese.
• You have high blood sugar levels in the FBS test.
• You maintain low levels of physical activity.
• If you are a female with PCOS.
• If you are on long term steroid medications.
• If you have habits like smoking or excessive alcohol consumption.
• If you notice the following symptoms indicating diabetes:

• Excessive hunger and thirst
• Increased frequency of urination
• Recurrent infections
• Weakness
• Unexplained weight loss
• Blurring of vision
• Delayed healing of wounds

The postprandial blood sugar test is a test that is done by taking a blood sample. As this test is done 2 hours after your meals, it is usually done as a stand-alone test.

Test Preparation

The Blood Sugar Postprandial Test requires you to give a blood sample to conduct the test. The sample is taken 2 hours after you begin your meal (one full meal), usually lunch. Take all your medicines as prescribed.

There are no instructions for you to observe during the Blood Sugar Postprandial Test. It is a simple and quick blood test, and the sample drawing gets done in 5-10 minutes. After the Blood Sugar Postprandial Test, you can return to your routine.

Test inclusions: What parameters are included?

The Blood Sugar Postprandial Test measures the blood sugar levels in your body 2 hours after meals.

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Prediabetes, Gestational Diabetes

Your postprandial blood sugar results are usually ready within 1-2 hours of doing the test. The ranges for the blood sugar level indicated in the results can be interpreted as follows:

 The normal values and reference ranges of the test may vary from lab to lab. Please refer to the ranges mentioned in the report and consult a doctor to understand the interpretation of lab reports.

How frequently should you take this test?

The Blood Sugar Postprandial Test is repeated based on the following parameters:

• If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
• Your blood sugar control.
• The medicines that you are taking for your diabetes.

The frequency for each of these parameters differs as follows:

• If you have type 2 diabetes, repeat the test every month.
• If you have type 1 diabetes, repeat the test every day.
• If you have prediabetes, repeat the test every 6 months.
• If your diabetes is poorly controlled, then repeat the test every week.
• If your doctor has changed your treatment plan, repeat the Blood Sugar Postprandial Test 1 month after changing your medicines.