How can we help?

Home

PPBS (Postprandial Blood Sugar)

Also referred as

Postprandial plasma glucose concentration

Sugar PP

2-hour postprandial

Glucose Postprandial (PP)

93,551+ booked recently

For men & women

Earliest reports in

12 hours

Contains

1 test

Know more about this test

The PPBS (Postprandial Blood Sugar) test measures the levels of blood sugar (glucose) typically, two hours after eating a meal. It helps determine the likelihood of developing diabetes and monitor the effectiveness of ongoing treatment. It is often done as part of routine health checkups or when there are symptoms of abnormal blood sugar levels.

Samples required

Blood

Find out

Why is this test booked?

Preparation for this test

Sample Collection

Who will collect your samples?

Understanding PPBS (Postprandial Blood Sugar)

Glucose is the main source of energy for the body. It is derived from the carbohydrates you eat. After eating, these carbohydrates break down into glucose and enter the blood to fuel the cells in the body. Insulin, a hormone the pancreas produces, helps regulate these blood sugar levels.

The PPBS (Postprandial Blood Sugar) test determines how well your body manages this glucose spike. High PPBS levels may indicate that your pancreas is not producing enough insulin, your body is not utilizing the insulin effectively, and the likelihood of prediabetes or diabetes. Consistently high post-meal blood sugar levels can harm your health over time. This test helps identify these problems early so that timely action can be taken.

The PPBS (Postprandial Blood Sugar) test helps evaluate how well your body manages sugar after eating food, predicting possible prediabetes or diabetes. It also tells if your ongoing treatment ( medications, lifestyle modifications, etc.) works well. Finding diabetes early helps prevent serious complications such as heart disease, kidney or nerve damage, etc.

Before the test, eat a standard meal (not high in sugar or carbohydrates). Take the test two hours after starting a meal. Inform your doctor about all your medications, as some can affect the test results, potentially requiring dosage adjustments or temporary discontinuation.

Lab test results vary across laboratories depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Do not self-medicate and always consult a doctor to understand your test results. The insights from the PPBS (Postprandial Blood Sugar) test will help the doctor determine your medical condition, make recommendations for lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, decide whether or not medication will be required to manage the condition, and formulate an overall treatment plan.

Lifestyle Tips to Manage Your Blood Glucose Levels:

🥤Hydration: Stay hydrated! Drinking enough water supports overall health and helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.

🥙 Eat (Diet): Focus on a balanced diet rich in fiber, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Include whole grains, vegetables, nuts, and seeds to help manage blood sugar.

🚴‍♀️Activity (Exercise): Regular physical activity like walking, cycling, or strength training can help manage a healthy body weight and lower elevated FBS levels.

😴Lifestyle (Sleep): Get enough quality sleep to help regulate blood sugar levels.

👨‍⚕️Talk to Your Doctor (Consult): Regularly consult your doctor to understand your HbA1c results and adjust your diabetes management plan if needed.

💊Habits (Supplements): Consider supplements like magnesium, chromium, etc. (if your doctor advises) to support healthy blood sugar levels.

What does PPBS (Postprandial Blood Sugar) measure?

The PPBS (Postprandial Blood Sugar) test measures blood sugar levels two hours after starting a meal. It is often done along with a fasting blood sugar (FBS) test. It helps determine how well your body can manage sugar after eating. It helps detect prediabetes or diabetes. High PPBS levels can signal early insulin resistance, making your body less responsive to insulin.

Frequently booked together

FAQs related to PPBS (Postprandial Blood Sugar)

What is the full form of PPBS?

PPBS stands for postprandial blood sugar. It refers to the blood sugar level measured after a meal, typically 2 hours later.

What is the purpose of the PPBS (Postprandial Blood Sugar) test?

The purpose of the PPBS (Postprandial Blood Sugar) test is to determine the body’s ability to use sugars after eating a meal. It helps predict the likelihood of prediabetes or diabetes and monitor the ongoing treatments ( medications or lifestyle modifications).

What are the normal range of the PPBS (Postprandial Blood Sugar) test?

The normal range of the PPBS (Postprandial Blood Sugar) test varies across laboratories. However, in general, glucose levels that are below 140 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) two hours after a meal are considered normal.

What factors can affect the results of the PPBS test?

Factors such as the type and amount of food consumed, level of physical activity, use of medications and certain underlying health conditions such as liver or kidney disease can affect the test results.

How is the PPBS (Postprandial Blood Sugar) test different from a fasting blood glucose test?

The PPBS (Postprandial Blood Sugar) test measures the body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels two hours after eating a meal. A fasting blood sugar ( FBS) test measures blood sugar levels after 8-12 hours of overnight fasting.

Are there any preparations or precautions required before the postprandial blood glucose (PPBG) test?

No special preparations are required for this test. However, eat a standard meal (not high in sugar or carbohydrates) before taking the test. Remember, the sample for this test is to be collected 2 hours after eating a meal; therefore plan your meals accordingly.

What should I eat before the postprandial blood glucose (PPBG) test?

Eat a standard nutritious diet. Avoid eating foods that are too high in sugars or carbohydrates.

Why is it important to give a sample two hours after a meal for the postprandial blood glucose (PPBG) test?

After eating, blood sugar levels typically peak within 2 hours as insulin helps the body use the sugar for energy production. However, if levels remain high, it may indicate diabetes.

Can my sugar PP be higher than my sugar fasting result?

Yes, it is possible for your sugar PP (postprandial) levels to be higher than your sugar fasting levels. PP sugar levels reflect how your body handles food after eating. While fasting sugar assesses your baseline sugar levels during a state of fasting.

What are the risk factors for diabetes?

The most common risk factors for diabetes include obesity, being overweight with low physical activity, family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, low good cholesterol or high triglyceride levels, polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS), cardiovascular diseases(CVD) etc.

What are the common complications of diabetes?

Some common complications of uncontrolled diabetes include heart diseases like coronary artery disease(CAD), diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina of the eye ), and diabetic neuropathy (damage to the nerves). It may also cause diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage), diabetic foot (foot ulcers that may turn gangrenous), and other serious conditions like hearing impairment and severe skin conditions.

What is hypoglycemia, and what are its symptoms?

Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar is a condition when blood sugar levels fall below the normal levels.Symptoms of hypoglycemia include excessive sweating, frequent hunger, shivering or trembling, confusion, and blurring of vision.

What is hyperglycemia, and what are its symptoms?

Hyperglycemia or high blood sugar levels is a condition when blood sugar levels are too high above the normal levels. Symptoms of hyperglycemia include increased thirst, frequent urge to urinate, weakness, tiredness (fatigue), blurring of vision, and slow wound healing.

What other tests can be prescribed by your doctor in case the result of the blood glucose PP test is not normal?

Additional tests that may help diagnose diabetes include an HbA1c test, a blood glucose-fasting test (FBS), a urine glucose test, a random blood glucose (RBG) test, and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

What does “postprandial” mean?

Postprandial means "after a meal". In diabetes testing, it refers to the period 1–2 hours after eating.

What is considered a healthy PP blood sugar level?

A healthy postprandial (PP) sugar level is typically below 140 mg/dL for non-diabetics.

What are the 4 top tests for diabetes?

A) Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS); B) Postprandial Blood Sugar (PPBS); C) HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin); D) Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

What is the price of the PPBS (Postprandial Blood Sugar) test?

The price of the PPBS (Postprandial Blood Sugar) test can vary depending on your location, diagnostic laboratory, and whether the test is done as a single test or as part of a health screening package.

Content created by

Dr. Swati Gupta (Anand)

MD Lab Medicine, MBBS

Want to know moreRead our editorial policy

Last Updated

11th Sep 2025