PPBS ( POST PRANDIAL BLOOD SUGAR ) Test

Sample Required : Blood

Test Preparation :

1. Sample to be given exactly 2 hours after starting meal or as advised by the physician.
2. Please note that it is mandatory to abide by the pre-scheduled sample collection time, as this will help us ensure the accuracy of the test results.

PPBS test stands for postprandial blood sugar and is a blood test that checks for diabetes. Postprandial refers to the time after a meal. This test checks how your body processes sugar and starch after a meal. The PPBS blood test is usually done after a fasting blood sugar (FBS) test that measures blood glucose levels after fasting for 8-12 hours.

After a meal, blood sugar levels increase rapidly as the food is digested. In response, the pancreas secretes insulin – a hormone that moves glucose from the bloodstream into the body’s cells to be used for energy. Thus, the blood sugar levels are controlled. However, in diabetes, your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or respond effectively to insulin, so your blood sugar levels remain high.

Diabetes is a condition characterised by very high blood sugar levels. It can be classified into several types:

• Type 1 Diabetes: A condition where the body’s immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, resulting in little or no insulin.

• Type 2 Diabetes: A disorder where the body resists insulin effects or doesn’t produce enough insulin.

• Prediabetes: A condition where the blood sugar levels are elevated but aren’t high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

• Gestational Diabetes: Diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and usually resolves after childbirth.

The PPBS test is vital for the screening and monitoring of diabetes. Regular PPBS testing can prevent serious complications of high blood sugar, such as nerve, heart, kidney, and eye damage, and preserve overall well-being.

The Post Prandial Blood Sugar (PPBS) Test measures blood glucose levels two hours after a meal to assess how the body processes sugar. It is commonly used to diagnose and monitor diabetes.

Test Parameters:

1. Blood Glucose Level (mg/dL or mmol/L) – Measures sugar levels in the blood post-meal.

2. Reference Range:

   • Normal: Below 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L)

   • Prediabetes: 140-199 mg/dL (7.8-11.0 mmol/L)

   • Diabetes: 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher

3. Factors Affecting Results:

   • Type and amount of food consumed

   • Insulin or medication use

   • Physical activity

   • Stress and illness

     Why Take a Post Prandial Blood Sugar (PPBS) Test?

     You might need a PPBS blood test if your doctor suspects you have diabetes or any other conditions that disrupt insulin function, particularly if you experience symptoms such as:

     • Feeling tired

     • Blurry vision

     • Slow-healing sores

     • Frequent urination

     • Feeling unusually thirsty

     • Recurrent infections

     You may need the test if you have risk factors of diabetes, such as obesity or a family history of diabetes. The test may be done to screen for diabetes as part of routine physical examinations. If you’re pregnant, your doctor may order this test to check for gestational diabetes. Treating gestational diabetes safeguards your baby and you from potential diabetes-related health risks. Additionally, the PPBS test may be used to assess treatment efficacy in individuals already diagnosed with diabetes.