Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) Test in Delhi - Price & Details

A fasting blood sugar (FBS) test measures the level of glucose or sugar in your blood after you have not eaten or consumed calorie-containing drinks for at least 8 to 12 hours. Glucose is the body’s main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. The pancreas produces insulin, a hormone that helps move glucose from the bloodstream into the body’s cells to be used for energy. When the body does not produce enough insulin, cannot use insulin effectively, or both, blood glucose levels can become too high. This condition is known as diabetes. Persistently high blood sugar levels may increase the risk of complications affecting the heart, kidneys, nerves, eyes, and other organs. The fasting blood sugar test is one of the most commonly used tests to screen for prediabetes and diabetes and to monitor blood sugar control in people already diagnosed with diabetes. The test requires a small blood sample, usually collected from a vein in the arm after overnight fasting. Early detection through an FBS test can help doctors recommend timely lifestyle changes and treatment to help manage or delay diabetes-related complications.

Your doctor may recommend a fasting blood sugar (FBS) test if you:

Have risk factors for type 2 diabetes, such as:

• Age 35 years or older
• Overweight or obesity
• A family history of diabetes
• High blood pressure or heart disease
• A history of gestational diabetes
• A sedentary lifestyle
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Prediabetes

Have symptoms of high blood sugar, including:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Blurred vision
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Slow-healing cuts or wounds
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
• Have been diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes, and need regular monitoring of your fasting blood sugar levels.
• Need to assess how well your diabetes treatment or lifestyle modifications are helping to control your blood sugar.
• Are taking medications, such as corticosteroids or certain antipsychotic medicines, that may increase blood sugar levels.
• Are undergoing a routine health check-up or diabetes screening.
• Are pregnant, and your doctor recommends the FBS testing as part of your antenatal evaluation.

An FBS test may help detect or monitor the following conditions:

• Prediabetes: Detects blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus: Helps diagnose diabetes in people with symptoms or those at high risk.
• Type 1 diabetes mellitus: May support the diagnosis, but additional tests are usually needed to confirm it.
• Hypoglycaemia: May detect low fasting blood sugar levels, especially in people taking diabetes medications. However, it is not the preferred test for evaluating symptomatic hypoglycaemia.
• Blood sugar abnormalities: Helps identify abnormal blood sugar levels caused by certain medications or conditions affecting the pancreas, liver, kidneys, thyroid, or adrenal glands. Further tests may be needed to determine the underlying cause.

What to Expect Before the Fasting Blood Sugar Test

• Fast for 8 to 12 hours before the test. During this time, do not eat or drink anything except plain water.
• Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before the test, as it may affect your blood sugar levels.
• Do not perform vigorous exercise before the test, as it can temporarily alter blood glucose levels.
• Inform your doctor about all the medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take. Follow their advice on whether to take your regular medications before the test.
• If possible, schedule your FBS test in the morning after an overnight fast to help ensure accurate results.

What to Expect During the Blood Collection

• This test involves a blood draw for a sample. A phlebotomist will insert an intravenous (IV) needle into a vein (usually a vein in your arm) and fill up a test tube with blood. A slight sting may be felt when the needle is inserted and removed.

What to Expect After the Fasting Blood Sugar Test

• Mild throbbing at the site may be felt after the blood is drawn, which will pass in a few moments.
• You may eat food or drink beverages soon after the blood draw unless advised otherwise.
• Once the sample is analysed in the laboratory, the test reports will be uploaded to the PharmEasy platform after review by a medical practitioner. This can be downloaded to your device from the comfort of your home.

Note: If you notice anything unusual at the puncture site, such as persistent bleeding, rashes, or pain, consult your healthcare provider.

In an FBS test, the primary parameter measured is

• Fasting Blood Glucose Level

Important note: Normal ranges may vary slightly between laboratories. Refer to the ranges printed on your specific report. Always consult your doctor for interpretation of the results.

Potential Risks and Complications

• Minor risks involved with blood draw may occasionally occur such as mild pain, slight bleeding, bruising, dizziness, or light-headedness. Rarely, vein access may be difficult.
• Medical attention should be sought if persistent bleeding, swelling, redness, or severe pain develops.
• Refrain from lifting heavy objects for a few hours with the hand from where the blood sample was taken.

Understanding Fasting Blood Sugar Test Limitations

• The test requires 8 to 12 hours of fasting, so it must be scheduled in advance and cannot be performed at any time of the day.
• An FBS test measures your blood sugar level only at the time the sample is collected and does not reflect blood sugar fluctuations throughout the day or long-term glucose control.
• A normal fasting blood sugar result does not always rule out diabetes. Some people may have normal fasting glucose but high blood sugar after meals, requiring tests such as an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) or HbA1c.
• The results may be influenced by illness, stress, certain medications, vigorous physical activity, or not following the fasting instructions correctly.
• An abnormal FBS result cannot identify the underlying cause of high or low blood sugar, and additional tests may be needed.

The fasting blood glucose test is priced at around ₹119 in Delhi, though the exact cost can vary based on offers. To better understand the pricing differences, you can compare the FBS test costs across major cities in India.

You can book the Fasting Blood Sugar Test in Delhi through PharmEasy with convenient home sample collection across several localities, including :

• Dwarka
• Vasant Kunj
• Saket
• Chhattarpur
• Greater Kailash
• Lajpat Nagar
• South Extension
• East of Kailash
• Green Park
• Janakpuri
• Rajouri Garden
• Paschim Vihar
• Punjabi Bagh
• Rohini
• Pitampura
• Preet Vihar
• Mayur Vihar
• Karol Bagh
• Connaught Place
• Civil Lines

You can also check service availability during purchase by entering your pin code.