GLUCOSE 2HR POST PRANDIAL

The Glucose 2-Hour Postprandial Test is a diabetic test conducted exactly two hours after a meal to determine the level of blood glucose present in an individual. This is done as it is during the time before a meal that people without diabetes are likely to have the highest level of blood glucose in circulation. This is important in the management and diagnosis of diabetes and glucose intolerance in that it measures the body’s ability to utilize glucose after intake of food. This understanding of how well your body controls the blood glucose level helps medical doctors to design special eating procedures and medications to address or avert the complications of diabetes.

This test measures how much glucose regulates surplus glucose in your body two hours after eating what amount of glucose or sugar. Glucose levels are generally assessed after an overnight fasting whereas fasting levels are not the case in this situation. Measurement of the amount of glucose in the blood right after a meal explains how the body responds to the intake of sugar and through which mechanisms the intake is regulated, especially insulin in this case.

The study is primarily conducted for patients who are to be screened or are already diagnosed with diabetes. It is advisable if certain symptoms occur particularly hyperglycemia or diabetes, for instance increased thirst excessive urination-tired feeling and even vision problems. It is also used to assess both the adherence and the effectiveness of the interpreted regimen which involves diet and medication modification.

The only risk factors linked with this test are light bruising or dizziness and all are related to the blood draw, other than that, there are no risks involved. The main limitations are that the test, not the conditions other than fasting or postprandial levels of sugar, nor hypoglycemia, which is noted, is capable of screening. It also does not show the entire story of glucose levels throughout the day unless other tests are done which complement it.

In this test the concentration of glucose in the blood 2 hours after a meal is the main parameter which is being evaluated. High blood glucose levels post meal intake can suggest that the individual lacks glucose tolerance, insulin resistance or has diabetes. This solution is of great importance whereby it provides insight of how the patient’s body manages blood sugar levels towards the end of a meal and encourages the formulation of appropriate treatments to prevent occurrence of high glucose levels in the patient.

People with symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination and exhaustion should consider testing themselves. Such individuals can also include those at risk including those with a family history of Type 2 diabetes, people who are overweight and have metabolic syndromes. Also, people who are already on management for diabetes also can undergo this test to check their efficacies of the management.

This test is important to identify problems which relate to the sugar levels of the body after eating, which is very important in the diagnosis and management of diabetes. It helps health care providers spot high blood sugar levels after a meal much earlier so that appropriate measures can be taken. For the patients who do have diabetes, it helps assess how much increase in treatment will be required.

• Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 and Type 2)
• Impaired glucose tolerance
• Diabetes Mellitus In Pregnancy
• Syndrome X

Requires special preparation: It is necessary to fast prior to the meal, eat only ordered meal, have the test exactly two hours after having the meal and do not do any strenuous activity during the waiting time.

Who is eligible? in the mass population most people can do this test but this test is very important for people who can have symptoms of diabetes or who are in high risk category.

How the test is done: Patients are required to undergo a fasting glucose test prior to eating. Two hours after starting the meal, blood is drawn for the measurement.

What to avoid on the day before the test: Some carbohydrate-rich snacks a day before the test and any form of stress which might affect blood sugar monitoring.