The post prandial blood sugar test or PPBS test detects how the body responds to starch and sugar after a meal. It evaluates if the function of insulin is effective to keep normal blood sugar levels.
Medically reviewed by Regina Victoria Boyles, MD · Pediatrics
The post prandial blood sugar test or PPBS test detects how the body responds to starch and sugar after a meal. It evaluates if the function of insulin is effective to keep normal blood sugar levels.
This test helps to detect the blood sugar levels post-meal, which is recommended in people at risk of diabetes, prediabetics, and diabetics.
When the body is unable to produce or use enough insulin to control the blood glucose levels, the person’s blood sugar levels appear high. If the high blood sugar levels are not controlled, it can cause severe health problems.
After a meal the blood sugar levels increase significantly till the food is digested completely. In response to this, the pancreas releases insulin that helps these sugars to move from the blood into the muscle cells and other tissues to produce energy in the body.
Within two hours of the meal, the blood sugar levels and insulin return to normal. However, if the blood sugar levels still remain high, this indicates a person has diabetes.
Doctors usually suggest undergoing the PPBS test to detect if a person has diabetes or any other insulin-related disorder. A doctor may advise this blood test if the following symptoms are noted.
If a woman is pregnant, a doctor will suggest undergoing post prandial blood sugar test for gestational diabetes. It is important to treat gestational diabetes to reduce the risks of health problems for a mother and baby.
It is important to follow your doctor’s advice regarding the need for the PPBS test.
The PPBS test is done two hours after having a regular meal that includes carbohydrates. After the meal, do not eat anything until the test is done.
Follow your doctor’s advice as regards the amount and type of food that can be taken for the meal.
Pregnant women should consult the doctor and ask for any specific preparation before undergoing the PPBS test.
You should mention all the drugs, medicines, herbs, and supplements that you are taking for specific reasons to the doctor. This helps to prevent possible interaction and falsely abnormal or altered PPBS results.
The PPBS test results may be influenced due to the following causes like
Therefore avoid doing the above-mentioned activities before and during the test to prevent false abnormal or altered results.
The PPBS test results may vary due to factors like age, sex, health history, any health condition, method, etc. A single test result does not mean there is a problem. Based on the reports, your symptoms, family history, and other factors, your doctor may advice other tests to confirm the blood sugar levels.
A PPBS test result is measured in milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL). The normal values for the test are as given below.
If the blood sugar levels are higher than the normal values even after two hours, it may indicate prediabetes, diabetes, or poorly-controlled diabetes (>180 mg/dL). Your doctor may advise more tests before confirming the diagnosis.
Show the reports to the doctor for proper interpretation. For any abnormal results, do not take any medicine without consulting.
Your doctor may ask you to repeat the post prandial blood sugar or PPBS test to confirm the diagnosis in case the earlier results were falsely abnormal or altered.
For those undergoing treatment, the doctor may advise repeating the test at regular intervals to monitor the condition and effectiveness of treatment.
You are required to visit a pathologist’s lab or clinic for a PPBS blood test.
Once you are at the clinic, a healthcare professional will perform the following PPBS test steps.
This procedure hardly takes 5 minutes and post the test you can continue with your daily tasks.
The PPBS test results will be available within a few hours, and after that you need to visit a doctor’s clinic and get proper medication.
Disclaimer
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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