What is #RBS #Test
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RBS TESTS

RBS Means Random Blood Sugar test. It shows the glucose level in the blood. There are three types of blood sugar tests.

  • Fasting blood sugar - blood test done on empty stomach.
  • RBS -test done at any time.
  • Post prandial blood test -test done after having food.

Accurate blood glucose levels can be obtained by doing the first and third tests.

Why RBS test is necessary

Many types of glucose tests exist and they can all be used to estimate blood sugar levels at a given time or, over a longer period of time, to obtain average levels or to see how fast body is able to normalize changed glucose levels.

For example eating food leads to elevated blood sugar levels. In healthy people, these levels quickly return to normal via increased cellular glucose uptake which is primarily mediated by an increase in blood insulin levels.

Glucose tests can reveal temporary or long-term hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. These are conditions that may not have obvious symptoms and can damage organs in the long-term. Abnormally high or low levels, slow return to normal levels from either of these conditions and/or the inability to normalize blood sugar levels means that the person being tested probably has some kind of medical condition like type 2 diabetes which is caused by cellular insensitivity to insulin. Glucose tests are thus often used to diagnose such conditions.

Having a random blood sugar range of 200mg/dl or more is a clear indication of the presence of diabetes mellitus. With the diagnosis of diabetes, random blood sugar test helps in the timely treatment of the disease through monitoring during and after the treatment. Our doctors may prescribe RBS test if the person complains of the following symptoms;

  • Unintended Weight loss
  • Blurry vision
  • urinating more often
  • feeling extremely thirsty
  • feeling very hungry despite eating enough
  • unexplained weight loss
  • extreme fatigue or tiredness
  • slow healing of cuts and bruises

High blood sugar is commonly associated with diabetes however, there can be other reasons too apart from diabetes for the high blood sugar range. Examples are;

  • Overactive thyroid gland,
  • Inflammation of the pancreas, 
  • Pancreatic cancer and
  • Rare tumors.

And as such, in some cases RBS test alone is not sufficient enough to confirm the diagnosis of diabetes. A patientmay be advised to use further testing methods like;

  • Oral Glucose
  • Tolerance Test
  • Fasting Blood Sugar
  • Hemoglobin A1C Test
  • Two Hour Postprandial Test

Type 2 diabetes sometimes develop slowly, this might make symptoms difficult to detect at first. People with diabetes may also experience a sensation of tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, or diabetic neuropathy. This is more likely to occur if a person does not control blood glucose for long periods.

RBS test procedure

This random glucose test is a quick test that a doctor or nurse can carry out at short notice in their office or clinic. The patient does not need to fast beforehand.

The test requires a small sample of blood that the doctor or nurse will take using a needle, often from the finger.

How the test works

Glucose is a form of sugar which comes from foods. It is the body’s primary energy source that fuels every cell, including those in the brain, heart, and muscles.

The body works continuously to keep the amount of blood glucose at optimum levels. To achieve this, it produces a hormone called insulin which helps glucose get into the cells that need it for energy.

People with type 1 diabetes do not produce insulin because their immune systems attack and destroy the cells in the pancreas that make insulin.

People with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin or their body does not respond to it appropriately.

When a person does not make insulin correctly, glucose remains in the blood and cannot get to the cells where it is most needed. Hyperglycemia occurs when levels remain consistently high and hypoglycemia when they are too low.

Random glucose testing is one way of checking the levels of glucose in the blood. Doctors may carry out a random glucose test at any time of the day.

If the result indicates that a person has higher than expected glucose levels, the doctor will usually order a follow-up test including the following, to confirm the diagnosis;

  • Fasting glucose test. This is a test that measures blood glucose levels after the person has had nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours. Our doctors usually perform this test in the morning before breakfast.
  • Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). People with diabetes can sometimes demonstrate normal results in the fasting or random glucose tests yet still have diabetes. Our doctors still suspects that a person has diabetes, they may recommend an OGTT. This test also requires a person not to eat or drink for 8 hours. After giving the first blood sample, the individual drinks a liquid containing glucose.

Interpreting results of RBS test

Making changes in diet and losing weight can help people with prediabetes reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

The amount of glucose in a person’s blood is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

A result of 200 mg/dL or above for a random glucose test indicates that a person may have diabetes. However, the doctor will usually repeat the test on another day for a more reliable diagnosis,

Our doctors may also order a different type of test, such as a fasting glucose test or an OGTT to help confirm the diagnosis.

For a fasting glucose test:

  • less than 100 mg/dL is normal
  • 100 to 125 mg/dL indicates prediabetes
  • 126 mg/dL or above indicates diabetes

For an OGTT:

  • less than 140 mg/dL is normal
  • 140 to 199 mg/dL indicates prediabetes
  • 200 mg/dL or above indicates diabetes

Some studies suggest that one random glucose test that shows a reading of over 100 mg/dL is a greater risk factor for diabetes than traditional factors, such as obesity.

Prediabetes means that a person’s blood glucose levels are higher than usual, but doctors do not yet consider that they have diabetes. Sometimes, this is referred to as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG).

People who are diagnosed with prediabetes are at increased risk of developing diabetes. Some modifications in lifestyle, such as weight loss and exercise, and certain medications can help reduce this risk.

What factors can affect the result

Levels ofblood glucose changes throughout the day, depending on a range of factors.

These might include;

  • A person’s food intake, as well as
  • The duration and intensity of any exercise or physical activity that day.

However, the blood glucose levels of people who do not have diabetes tends to stay within the normal range.

The following factors may increase a person’s blood glucose levels:

  • eating too much food
  • low levels of physical activity
  • side effects ofmedications
  • illnesses
  • stress
  • pains
  • menstruation
  • dehydration

The following factors may decrease a person’s blood glucose levels:

  • eating little or no food
  • drinking alcohol
  • medication side effects
  • intense physical activity or exercise

General outlook of RBS test

Diagnosing any chronic condition can be distressing, and, without treatment, diabetes can lead to serious health problems and complications, including:

  • Heart disease
  • Nerve damage
  • Dental disease
  • Foot problems
  • Stroke
  • Kidney disease
  • Eye problems

However, with effective treatment and management, people with diabetes can enjoy a long and active life.

Type 1 diabetes are usually diagnosed in children and young adults. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin daily and regularly monitor their blood sugar levels for the rest of their lives.

Type 2 diabetes often develops later in life. Sometimes a person can manage type 2 diabetes with only diet and exercise. Others may need medication or even insulin so that they can keep their blood sugar levels within healthy levels.

Anyone with symptoms of diabetes should see our doctors for evaluation.

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