Knowing postprandial blood sugar is crucial for everyone, not just those with diabetes or prediabetes. Being aware of this value might help you stay healthy. The fasting blood sugar test measures your blood sugar without being impacted by a recent meal. It is the most often used tool for estimating your metabolic health. It is a measure of how well your body processes and uses glucose. If the fasting blood sugar levels are higher than the normal level, your doctor may suggest a PP blood sugar test.
Postprandial blood sugar measurement gives a better overview of how your body reacts dynamically to food than fasting glucose and the state of your fundamental metabolic health. PP blood sugar is more effective in diagnosing diabetes in its early stages.
What is PP Blood Sugar?
PP blood sugar, or postprandial blood sugar, is a measure of glucose levels in your bloodstream up to four hours after eating food. When you eat, your body converts carbohydrates from foods into simple sugars like glucose and fructose, which are then absorbed into your bloodstream. Along with fat, glucose is the body’s primary source of energy. In addition to absorbing glucose from food, your body produces it through a process known as gluconeogenesis. Your body strives to keep a constant quantity of glucose in your blood, retaining or burning excess and producing more if necessary. Hyperglycemia, or high amounts of glucose in your blood, can be dangerous.
If the postprandial blood sugar readings are on the higher side, it can indicate prediabetes or diabetes. Anyone can benefit from knowing their body’s postprandial blood sugar response, but it’s especially critical for individuals who are expectant, at risk of diabetes or are effectively managing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
4 Top Tests for Diabetes
1. Fasting Blood Glucose Test
A blood sample for this test should be given after 10-12 hours of fasting. Fasting blood sugar levels of less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) are considered normal. When fasting blood sugar levels range from 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L), it indicates prediabetes. If your blood sugar level is 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or greater on two different tests, it indicates diabetes.
2. HbA1C
This blood test can detect your normal glucose level for several months. It measures the rate at which glucose is linked to haemoglobin, the protein that transports oxygen in red blood cells.
3. Postprandial Glucose Test
PP blood sugar test determines the level of glucose, a specific type of sugar, in the blood after a meal.
Usually, blood glucose levels rise after a meal. This induces the pancreas to release insulin, which aids the body in eliminating sugar from the blood and conserving it for use as energy. Diabetes patients may not produce or respond properly to insulin, causing their blood glucose levels to rise. High blood glucose levels can cause severe damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves and veins.
4. CBC
This is a blood test used to assess a person’s overall health and detect a variety of illnesses ranging from anaemia to leukaemia.
The CBC method assesses several components and features of one’s blood: oxygen-carrying red blood cells, white blood cells, haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries o2, hematocrit, the proportion of plasma in an individual’s blood and platelets, which aid in blood clotting.
Significance of PP Blood Sugar for Metabolic Health
Poor blood-sugar management can precipitate the development of metabolic syndrome. Prolonged high blood sugar levels can cause insulin resistance and deplete insulin-producing beta cells, which is a hallmark of Type 2 diabetes. The haemoglobin A1c, or HbA1c, measurement is often used to diagnose type 2 diabetes. This number represents the percentage of haemoglobin molecules bonded to sugar; the more glucose in the blood, the higher the HbA1c.
Poor postprandial glucose control appears to be associated with deteriorating metabolic function. This is crucial for those at risk of developing diabetes and for patients trying to undo Type 2 diabetes through dietary and lifestyle modifications. Measuring postprandial glucose levels can provide helpful information on whether insulin is needed.
