Monitoring your blood sugar levels regularly is one of the most effective ways to protect your long-term health. High or low blood sugar levels can indicate underlying conditions like diabetes or prediabetes, and detecting them early can make a significant difference.

When you book a health checkup package, you might notice that the test list includes more than one type of blood sugar test. That is because each type has a different process and provides unique insights into how your body manages glucose. Let’s explore the most common ones so you know exactly what they mean.

1. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) test

What is it?

This is the most common blood glucose test; it is done after fasting for at least 8 hours to measure your baseline blood glucose levels. It is usually used to detect early signs of prediabetes or diabetes even before symptoms appear.

Normal ranges:

• Normal: Below 100 mg/dL
• Prediabetes: 100-125 mg/dL
• Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or higher

2. Random blood sugar (RBS) test

Random blood sugar is one of the common tests for detecting diabetes. This test helps measure your blood sugar levels at any time of the day. This is a part of a diabetes profile test to spot abnormal spikes in blood sugar levels.

Normal range:

• Normal: Below 140 mg/dL
• Diabetes: 200 mg/dL or higher

3. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)

An oral glucose tolerance test is used to check how your body processes sugar over time. This test is performed by taking a blood sample after 8 to 12 hours of fasting, and testing again 2 hours after drinking a glucose solution. This test is usually recommended for high-risk groups or during pregnancy to detect gestational diabetes.

Normal range (2hours later):

• Normal: Below 140 mg/dL
• Prediabetes: 140-199 mg/dL
• Diabetes: 200 mg/dL or higher

4. HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin) test

HbA1c is also a commonly used blood sugar test that measures your average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months. This test is often included in the Thyrocare full body checkup, used to assess long-term glucose control, especially for diabetic patients.

Normal range:

• Normal: Below 5.7%
• Prediabetes: 5.7%-6.4%
• Diabetes: 6.5% or higher

5. Postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) test

A postprandial blood sugar test measures the sugar level exactly 2 hours after a meal. This test is used to see how well your body handles sugar after eating.

Normal range:

• Normal: below 140 mg/dL
• Prediabetes: 140-199 mg/dL
• Diabetes: 200 mg/dl or higher

Final thoughts

Blood sugar testing is not just about diagnosing diabetes; it’s about maintaining your overall health. From fasting blood sugar to the postprandial blood sugar test, each result provides information about how your body is managing glucose. Sugar monitoring can help detect risk early, which would motivate you to make some lifestyle changes to keep your health on the right track.