PPBS Test: Full Form, Normal Range, Price & Meaning
Time to read 9 min
Time to read 9 min
The full form of PPBS is post-prandial blood sugar. PPBS shows how your body handles glucose. The PPBS test determines blood sugar levels, including postprandial blood sugar levels assisting healthcare practitioners in assessing the patient’s glucose processing as it relates to diabetes care. The PPBS test helps in the forward and reverse screening of diabetes and in the middle stages of insulin resistance, specifically in the changes in post-meal blood sugar levels. It also aids in monitoring the control and treatment of diabetes.
Stay tuned to explore more about postprandial blood sugar and other related tests, normal range, importance, results, price, risk factors, and monitoring blood sugar levels to prevent serious health complications regarding this crucial aspect of health for early detection.
PPBS or Postprandial Blood Sugar or postprandial glucose level refers to the amount of glucose present in the blood after a meal. The human body takes sugars and carbohydrates from food through metabolic pathways when consuming food. Understanding how the body processes sugar is important, and the PPBS test is particularly important for people suffering from diabetes or prediabetes because it allows for a better understanding of how these people’s bodies process sugar and how it’s impacted by insulin therapy.
The blood sugar PP test helps control diabetes and avert associated health problems from having abnormal blood sugar levels. Monitoring postprandial glucose levels frequently helps individuals make informed decisions about food, lifestyle, and activities, which in turn improves general health and helps avert potential health complications. It is not the same as a regular diabetes blood test.
Postprandial Blood Sugar Tests can be used for diagnosing diabetes, and certain medication conditions, and to monitor blood sugar post-prandial levels. Check out the various uses of the postprandial blood sugar test for diagnosing diabetes and certain medication conditions, and to monitor blood sugar post-prandial levels.
PPBS tests in combination with some other tests such as the Fasting Blood Sugar test are conducted to detect diabetes, monitor underlying health conditions, and track how well blood sugar levels are managed in diabetic patients.
High levels of PPBS may indicate insulin resistance, which means the cells in the body are not responding to insulin effectively, and the pancreas releases insulin in response to elevated blood sugar levels, potentially impacting overall metabolic health.
The PPBS test offers insight into how well the body processes postprandial glucose from the food you eat and the resulting blood sugar levels, which is vital for supporting informed dietary and lifestyle decisions to maintain overall health.
Getting tested for PPBS regularly can help avoid severe complications associated with high blood sugar, including frequent urination and heart damage.
PPBS tests can help monitor the effectiveness of ongoing treatment in diabetes patients and determine if any adjustments are required in response to abnormal glucose levels, aiding in developing an appropriate treatment plan.
Pregnant women are screened for gestational diabetes, which develops during pregnancy, using PPBS tests in conjunction with a glucose tolerance test recommended by their healthcare provider.
To prevent the risk of low blood sugar, PPBS tests can assist in diagnosing prediabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be identified as diabetes.
Typically the post-prandial blood sugar test is done two hours after a meal, during which consuming healthy fats can also be beneficial, as the PPBS test measures how your body manages sugar intake. This time is picked because generally, blood sugar levels peak around 1-2 hours after a meal. The two-hour assessment of the PPBS test mainly measures how glucose is handled after a meal, especially two hours after eating.
PPBS and FBS tests differ in what they assess and timing. Fasting blood sugar assesses glucose levels after an 8-12 hour fast offering a baseline reading. On the other hand, PPBS assesses glucose 2 hours after a meal signifying the way the body processes glucose after you eat food. Both FBS and PPBS are advised to diagnose and manage diabetes along with other metabolic disorders, which may contribute to cardiovascular disease if left undiagnosed. They present varied perspectives on blood sugar regulation.
Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS): A healthy diet plays an essential role in the efficiency of FBS.
Postprandial Blood Sugar (PPBS): Being aware of your postprandial glucose levels can efficiently aid in managing diabetes.
Before you can get a postprandial blood sugar test (PPBS), you must first get a fasting blood sugar (FBS) test. The FBS test requires a 12-hour overnight fast, followed by a nutritious breakfast two hours before the PPBS test. After eating, don’t engage in strenuous physical activity, but do keep drinking water. Then, a blood sample is taken to be sent to a lab. The results help your doctor to select a suitable treatment. The blood is usually drawn from the arm.
PPBS test evaluates the levels of glucose in the blood after eating a meal. The test results are used to detect and screen diabetes. The normal range for a PPBS test is less than 140 mg/dL. More than 200 mg/dL indicates diabetes, and between 140 and 199 mg/dL is considered prediabetes. If you are concerned about your results, you should talk with your healthcare provider.
Normal PPBS range: below 140 mg/dL
Prediabetes: between 140 to 199 mg/dL, indicating high blood glucose levels that require monitoring.
Diabetes: 200 mg/dL or higher
Blood sugar levels 140 mg/dL or higher two hours following a meal are generally considered elevated. Diabetics, however, may have higher target ranges, as blood sugar levels above 180 mg/dL two hours after a meal are still considered high. There is also a range of normal values for PPBS, or Postprandial Blood Sugar (also known as 2-hour glucose), that can vary depending on age and gender.
The Postprandial Blood Sugar (PPBS) and Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) tests differ in the timing of measurement of blood glucose levels. Let's explore the other differences.
A blood sugar PPBS test is performed 2 hours after the meal. The test analyses how well your body regulates blood sugar in the influence of a meal primarily focusing on the role of the pancreas in insulin release. PPBS test normal range is generally considered less than 140 mg/dL
A period of fasting blood sugar test is conducted eight to twelve hours after a meal, usually following an overnight fast. The test offers a standard evaluation of blood glucose usually required to diagnose prediabetes, diabetes, and other fasting-associated glucose concerns. The typical, normal range of the FBS test ranges between 70-100 mg/dL.
PPBS and FBS are essential tests to assess blood sugar levels for the precise diagnosis and management of diabetes improving overall health. Both of these tests present a clear picture of how your body handles and utilizes blood sugar offering the proper diagnosis of diabetes and prediabetes and also allowing efficient management of diabetes, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes. These tests also help with the evaluation of the progress of ongoing treatment plants.
In India, generally, the PPBS test cost ranges between INR 100 to INR 400. However, the exact price of a PPBS test varies depending on the city where you live, the laboratory where you are getting tested, and your insurance plan, etc. Some diagnostic centers including My Diagnostics offer excellent discounts and health packages. Some labs also offer PPBS tests as a part of diabetes screening at a varied price range.
Usually, a postprandial glucose test is advised for diabetics and people at risk of developing diabetes. People who should get tested for PPBS test include:
The people who should get tested for PPBS include: individuals suffering from diabetes for diagnosis and efficient management, evaluating the effectiveness of treatment, and avoiding associated complications.
Also, people with a family history of diabetes, obesity or overweight, prediabetes, and other risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Pregnant women should get tested to diagnose gestational diabetes and monitor blood sugar levels throughout the pregnancy process.
Lastly, individuals who experience symptoms such as fatigue, excessive thirst, frequent urination, frequent infections, slow-healing sores, and blurred vision.
Typical normal range: 70-140 mg/dL (after meal)
High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, can be caused by diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or acute stress. In addition, high blood sugar may indicate the presence of pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer.
Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can result from certain conditions, such as hypothyroidism, severe liver disease, or excessive insulin intake. It can also result from insulinomas, which are tumors that make insulin.
PPBS test results interpretation requires considering age, medical history, gender, and existing health conditions. It allows your healthcare provider to make the right diagnosis and efficient treatment plan for your condition.
High PP sugar indicates diabetes and prediabetes. Moreover, hyperglycemia can also be caused by certain medications, inadequate physical activity, or stress.
If your postprandial sugar levels are low or abnormal, your doctor may recommend some follow-up tests such as GTT (glucose tolerance test), FBS (fasting blood sugar test), and HbA1c test. Follow-up appointments and further testing frequency depend on the results of initial tests, and overall medical history.
Certain oral diabetes medications or insulin can lead to a condition called hypoglycemia, wherein blood glucose levels are below normal. While this can be caused by oral medications, it can also result from causes such as: not eating enough carbohydrates, strenuous physical activity, hormonal imbalances, or certain diseases. Hypoglycemia can be detected via blood tests.
Nobody wants to stay unhealthy and for that, you should keep up with regular doctor visits when required. If you are a diabetes patient or at risk of developing diabetes due to any possible reason make sure you monitor your blood sugar levels regularly to maintain better health and prevent associated complications. If you have diabetes or even if you have a family history of diabetes, it is vital for you to track your blood glucose levels regularly. If your health professional recommends a postprandial blood sugar test, you should take immediate action, as this can lead to serious health issues.
Furthermore, maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, and consistent checkups will help you stay healthy. These actions can contribute to you effectively managing diabetes and associated complications, as well as reducing blood sugar levels, which subsequently reduces the possibility of developing complications.
Postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) is the amount of glucose present in the blood after a meal and is crucial for effective diabetes management. The PPBS test is most important for diabetics as it allows them to be aware of how their body processes sugar and how insulin therapy impacts it.
The normal PPBS range is 140 mg/dL for healthy non-diabetics.
Postprandial sugar levels measured after meals are considered more important than fasting sugar levels in determining blood glucose levels, particularly for people with diabetes.
Yes, you can drink water before the PPBS test.
The PPBS test checks blood sugar levels 2 hours after a meal and focuses on short-term sugar control after a meal. The HbA1c test indicates average blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months offering a long-term insight into glucose management.
***Medical Disclaimer: All the information provided here is for educational purposes only. Any information mentioned on this website, including text, images, and graphics, is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Kindly visit your healthcare provider concerning your particular health condition(s).
