Blood Sugar Test:

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases prevalent in India. About 11.2% of India's population is suffering from diabetes. Various laboratory and home-based tests are available that help in checking blood sugar levels. In these tests such as:

HbA1c (HbA1c),

fasting,

postpartum,

randomized blood sugar test,

Gestational diabetes is another prevalent disease in India that can be diagnosed using the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

FPG test :

The FPG test measures your blood sugar level after 8 hours of fasting. This test is usually done early in the morning when you are on an empty stomach. You cannot eat or drink anything except water before the sample is taken for this test.

Random plasma glucose (RPG) test :

This test is usually done during an emergency, for example, if you have symptoms of diabetes, and you don't want to wait until the next morning for your test. In such situations, you can get an RPG test done.

Postprandial blood sugar test (PPBS) :

The postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) test is a glucose test that determines the level of sugar present in your blood approximately 2 hours after you have eaten a meal. Usually the blood sugar level is at its peak after 2 hours of eating food. Hence, it becomes an important parameter to analyze how well your body is responding to sugar.

HbA1c test:

This test reports the average level of sugar present in your blood over the past 3 months. Since this test gives the result for the last 3 months, it becomes an important and accurate parameter to monitor your diabetes. 

The test results do not depend on what you ate before the test. Results depend on factors such as your age and anemia. If you are still wondering whether fasting is necessary for hba1c test or not, then let us tell you that there is absolutely no need of fasting for hba1c test. 

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT):

This test is done to diagnose gestational diabetes, that is, diabetes during pregnancy. In this test, a sample of your blood is collected, and then you are given a drink of glucose water. 

After 1-2 hours after drinking the glucose water, your blood is collected again to check the level of sugar in your body. This test is also known as 75 gram glucose tolerance test.

Normal level of blood sugar test :

Normal levels for a blood sugar test depend on whether you have diabetes, pre-diabetes, or are non-diabetic. The average normal blood glucose levels in all three conditions are summarized in the chart below

Fasting Blood Sugar Level (mg/dL) Postpartum (PP) Blood Sugar Level (mg/dL)

2 hours after eating Right after eating

1 Fasting Blood Sugar Level (mg/dL) Normal 70-100 170-200 <140

2 Early diabetes 101-126 190-230 140-200

3 Diabetes >126 230-300 >200

Normal levels of HbA1C blood test :

The HbA1C test reports blood sugar levels in percentages. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), non-diabetic, diabetic, and pre-diabetic patients can be diagnosed with HbA1C when tested with the HbA1C test. Normal blood sugar levels for people with (pre-diabetes) are summarized in the chart below:

fasting blood sugar level :

1 healthy (non-diabetic) less than 5.7%  

2 early diabetes 5.7% to 6.4%  

3 Diabetes 6.5% or more

Normal Levels of Fasting and PP Blood Sugar Test :

Normal blood glucose levels in mg/dL in a non-diabetic healthy individual during different times of the test (such as:

<Blood Sugar level (mg/dl)

1 fasting (early morning empty stomach) <100

90-130 1 hour after 2 meals

90-110 2 hours after 3 meals

4 > 5 hours after eating 70-90

Blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes:

Blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes depend on their age. Blood glucose levels by age of people with diabetes at different times of the test such as:

Normal Blood Sugar Level) mg/dl

Fasting Before meals 1-2 hours after eating At bedtime

1 <6 years 80-100 100-180 ~ 180 110-200

2 6-12 years 80-180 90-180 Up to 140 100-80

3 13-19 years 70-150 90-130 Up to 140 90-150

4 >20 years <100 70-130 <180 100-140

Normal blood sugar levels for pregnant diabetic women are:

Normal Blood Sugar Level (mg/dl)

1 Fasting 70-89

2 before meals 89

1-2 hours after a meal <120           

4 Bedtime 100-140

Normal blood glucose levels in prediabetic people:

Normal Blood Sugar Level (mg/dl))

1 fasting 100-125

2 hours after a meal 140-199

Blood sugar level is an important parameter that needs to be monitored regularly, especially if you have diabetes. Now that you know the different tests used to diagnose diabetes and their normal levels, you can better analyze your blood reports.

How is diabetes tested?

Diagnosing test diabetes is done through a simple blood test. Blood is collected from a vein in your right arm. You can test your blood sugar by pricking a needle on the top end of your finger to check your blood sugar.