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

A fasting blood sugar (FBS) test measures the level of glucose in your blood after you have fasted for at least 8 to 12 hours. Blood glucose, also known as blood sugar, is the body’s main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. After digestion, glucose enters the bloodstream, and the pancreas releases insulin, a hormone that helps glucose move into the body’s cells for energy. Diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels remain abnormally high because the body does not produce enough insulin, cannot use insulin effectively, or both. Over time, uncontrolled blood sugar can damage the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, and other organs. According to the World Health Organization, nearly half of the people with diabetes in India are unaware of their condition. The FBS test is one of the most commonly recommended tests to screen for prediabetes and diabetes and to monitor blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. The test requires a small blood sample collected after overnight fasting. Measuring blood glucose without the influence of recent meals provides an accurate assessment of fasting blood sugar levels. Early detection helps initiate timely lifestyle changes and treatment to reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.

Your doctor may recommend that you to take the FBS if you:

Have risk factors for type 2 diabetes, such as:

• Age 35 years or older
• Overweight or obesity
• Family history of diabetes
• High blood pressure or heart disease
• Previous gestational diabetes
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
• Prediabetes

Have symptoms suggestive of high blood sugar, such as:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Blurred vision
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Slow-healing wounds
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet

Have prediabetes or diabetes, and your doctor wants to monitor fasting blood glucose.

• If your doctor wants to monitor the efficiency of the diabetic medicines that you have been taking.
• Are taking medicines that may increase blood sugar (such as corticosteroids or certain antipsychotic medicines), if your doctor wants to assess their effect.
• People undergoing routine health check-ups or diabetes screening as recommended by their healthcare provider.
• As part of the routine pregnancy panel.

An FBS test may aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of the following conditions:

• Prediabetes: The FBS test helps detect high blood sugar levels that are not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus: The FBS test helps detect diabetes in people with symptoms of high blood sugar.
• Type 1 diabetes mellitus: FBS test may help in the diagnosis when there are suggestive symptoms; additional investigations are required.
• Hypoglycaemia: Though the FBS test is not the preferred test for detecting hypoglycaemia in symptomatic patients, if the patient is already fasting for other reasons, this test can detect hypoglycaemia. It is also used for detecting low blood sugar in patients taking diabetes medicines, so that the treatment can be adjusted accordingly.
• Blood sugar abnormalities: The FBS test helps check for abnormal blood sugar levels related to certain medications or disorders, such as medicines like corticosteroids or certain antipsychotic medicines, disorders of the pancreas, kidney, liver, thyroid, and adrenal glands, stress-related conditions such as chronic illness, surgery, trauma, and other hormonal conditions.

What to Expect Before the Fasting Blood Sugar Test

• Do not eat or drink anything except plain water for 8 to 12 hours before the test. An overnight fast is usually recommended.
• Refrain from consuming alcohol for at least 24 hours before the test, as it can affect blood glucose levels.
• Avoid heavy exercise or strenuous physical activity before your blood sample is collected, as it may influence the results.
• Ask your doctor whether you should take your usual medications before the test, as some medicines can alter blood sugar levels. Tell your doctor about any prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, or herbal supplements.
• Whenever possible, book your test for the morning after an overnight fast for the most reliable fasting blood sugar measurement.

What to Expect During the Blood Collection

• A phlebotomist will arrive at your home for the blood sample collection.
• An elastic band will be placed around your arm, and you may be asked to make a fist. Using a sterile needle, a small blood sample will be drawn from a vein in your arm. You may be advised to apply mild pressure at the blood draw site using a cotton swab.
• The procedure usually takes only a few minutes.

What to Expect After the Fasting Blood Sugar Test

• Mild throbbing at the site may be felt after the blood is drawn. If you feel faint, you may lie down for a while.
• You can have food soon after the test, unless otherwise instructed.
• The sample will be sent to the lab to be analyzed. Your test results should be available within a few hours, which you can access from the online PharmEasy platform.

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

• The FBS test is generally safe.
• Minor risks involved with a blood draw may occasionally occur, such as mild pain, slight bleeding, bruising, dizziness, or light-headedness. Sometimes, vein access may be difficult.

Understanding Fasting Blood Sugar Test Limitations

• 8 to 12 hours of fasting are required before testing. Hence, the test has to be scheduled and cannot be done spontaneously or at any preferred time.
• FBS detects blood sugar level only at the time of sample collection. It does not show your glucose levels throughout the day, nor does it detect blood sugar control trends over a period of time.
• Some people have abnormal blood sugar levels after meals, though fasting sugar levels may be normal. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) or HbA1c is a more appropriate test in such cases.
• Fasting blood glucose can be affected by sickness, stress, certain medicines, strenuous exercise, or not fasting as per instructions.
• This test cannot determine the reason for abnormal blood sugar levels.

The fasting blood glucose test is priced at around ₹119 in Mumbai, 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 Mumbai through PharmEasy with convenient home sample collection across several localities, including :

• Andheri
• Bandra
• Khar
• Sion
• Matunga
• Juhu
• Goregaon
• Malad
• Kandivali
• Borivali
• Churchgate
• Powai
• Ghatkopar
• Chembur
• Kurla
• Dadar
• Lower Parel
• Worli
• Mulund
• Vikhroli

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