RBS (Random Blood Sugar) Test

What is blood sugar?

The blood sugar level is the measure of the amount of glucose present in the human blood. This can be high, low or normal.

What is the RBS test full form?

Full form of the RBS test is a random blood sugar test.

What is a random blood sugar (RBS) test?

RBS test means a random test to find glucose levels; it measures blood glucose regardless of when you last ate, and this test is analysed to diagnose diabetes. When the glucose level is 200 mg/dL or higher in the blood, the classic symptoms of high blood sugar are present, and the doctor may diagnose the person with diabetes. This test helps to evaluate how well the disease is being managed.

What are the other names for the RBS (random blood sugar) test? 

The other names are glucose random, RBS and blood sugar-random.

What test parameters are included in the RBS (random blood sugar) test?

The only parameter measured in this test is random blood sugar.

Why Is the RBS test done?

The sugar or glucose that is generated from the food we eat sticks to the hemoglobin in our blood. The main aim of the random blood sugar test or the RBS test is to check blood sugar levels in a person. Having a blood sugar level above the range of normal can be an indication that the person has diabetes mellitus. Along with the diagnosis of different diseases, the random blood sugar test also helps in the timely treatment of the disease through proper monitoring during as well as after the treatment. A doctor might prescribe the RBS test if the patient has a family history of diabetes or is overweight. 

Additionally, your doctor might prescribe the test if you show the following symptoms: 

1. Dry mouth and dehydration 
2. Unexpected weight loss 
3. Blurry vision 
4. Slow healing process
5. Frequent urination

What does RBS (random blood sugar) test measure?

The Random blood glucose test is done to analyse the levels of glucose at any point in time. This glucose test provides a speedy diagnosis of diabetes. Also, it is very helpful for diabetic patients who require a supplementary dose of insulin in case of an emergency. 

Sugar is the main energy source for the body. The carbohydrates that are consumed in the diet are broken down in the body to form glucose, which has been absorbed by the intestines and is transported by the blood to the various organs. These cells of these organs utilise glucose to produce energy when it is required, and the excess will be stored either as glycogen in the liver for short-term storage or in the fat tissues as triglycerides for long-term storage. This uptake, utilisation, and storage of glucose after it has been absorbed in the intestine is facilitated by a hormone called insulin, which is secreted in the pancreas. This insulin influences the transport of glucose to the organs like the heart, brain, working muscles, etc. This also directs the storage of excess glucose. The main action of insulin is to reduce the sugar levels in the blood.

After a meal, the levels of sugar in the blood, and insulin is secreted in response until they become normal. If the glucose level falls too low in the blood, another pancreatic hormone called glucagon is released. This hormone directs the liver to convert the stored glycogen into glucose and releases it into the bloodstream. Insulin and the glucagon hormones will create the feedback mechanism to keep the blood glucose levels within the normal range. Imbalance in their activities causes an excess or a shortage of blood glucose.

The random blood glucose test helps to evaluate the amount of glucose at any point in time. To confirm the diagnosis, follow-up tests are required, which include glucose-fasting blood and an oral glucose tolerance test. High levels of glucose in blood indicate diabetes or resistance to insulin. This type 1 diabetes is caused when the insulin is not produced or produced in a very small quantity. Type 2 diabetes is caused when insulin is produced and not utilised effectively by the body. In both of these cases, blood glucose levels will rise while the cells remain deprived of nutrition.

What condition / disease does RBS test detect?

The random blood sugar test can help in detecting the glucose level of a person. It can accurately detect the risk of getting diabetes. Higher or lower levels of blood sugar can help in the diagnosis of different diseases such as kidney disease, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, liver disease, etc.

Who should get a random blood sugar test? 

Your doctor may include glucose testing in a panel of tests for a background check of your health information, such as during an annual examination. Your doctor might also want to screen you for elevated glucose if you are at a higher than the average risk of developing diabetes. 

Risk factors for diabetes include:

1. Being 45 years of age or older
2. Being overweight or obese
3. If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
4. Prediabetes
5. Having family members with diabetes
6. A lack of physical activity
7. Polycystic ovarian syndrome

In case you are pregnant, your doctor may recommend glucose testing to screen for gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that is linked to hormone changes during pregnancy. Having gestational diabetes can be very harmful to the mother and the foetus if it is left untreated and can increase the risk of developing diabetes later in life.

Your doctor may also order the glucose testing if you are experiencing symptoms of diabetes, including:

1. Frequent urination
2. Excessive hunger or thirst
3. Tingling or a loss of sensing the feel in the hands or a feet
4. Blurred vision
5. An abnormal number of infections
6. Unexplained weight loss
7. Feeling very tired
8. Skin that is dry
9. Sores that don’t heal quickly

Additionally, the doctor may order glucose testing if you have any symptoms of low blood sugar or any other health conditions.

Glucose testing is also a very important part of managing prediabetes and diabetes after they have been diagnosed.

What is the type of sample required for RBS test?

An RBS test requires a blood sample.

What other tests might I have along with RBS test?

Hba1c test, FBS test & PPBS test.

What should I expect during my random blood sugar test?

You can expect the experience the following during a blood test or blood draw:

1. You will have to sit comfortably on the chair, and a healthcare provider will check your arms for an easily accessible vein. This is the inner part of your arm on the other side of your elbow.
2. Once they have located a vein, they will clean and disinfect the area with an alcohol swab.
3. Then they will insert a small needle into your vein to draw a blood sample. This might feel like a small pinch.
4. After they have inserted the needle, the required amount of blood will be collected in a test tube.
5. Once they have collected enough blood to test, they’ll remove the needle and hold a cotton ball or gauze on the site to stop any bleeding.
6. They will put a band-aid over the pricked site, and the blood collection is finished.

This process takes less than five minutes.

What should I expect after my random blood sugar test?

After a healthcare provider has collected the blood sample, they will send it to a laboratory for testing. When the results are ready, your healthcare provider will share the results with you.

Are preparations needed for the random blood sugar (RBS) test?

Fasting is not required for the RBS test, and there is no preparation needed.

What are the risks of a random blood sugar test?

RBS blood tests are very common and don’t carry any significant risks. You may have a slight pain like an ant bite when the needle gets inserted, and a small bruise may develop there.

Limitations of the RBS test

The RBS test is mostly accurate as it provides information about the blood sugar levels for constant monitoring. If there are any inaccuracies, it is best to check with the healthcare provider. It is imperative for the random blood sugar test to reveal accurate results because any inaccuracy may lead to an incorrect diagnosis of a disease and other problems as well. In general, the blood glucose level of a person tends to change throughout the day depending on their food intake or the type of physical activities that they go through during the day. There are a few factors that can ultimately lead to inaccuracies in the measurement of blood sugar levels through the RBS test. Some of these factors are too much or too little consumption of food, dehydration, medication, stress, physical factors such as altitude and temperature, as well as altered hematocrit.

When can I expect my random blood sugar test results?

These reports are available via email or WhatsApp within 6 hours of the collection of the blood sample.

Values range for RBS test result

The value range of the RBS test results shows that the blood sugar level between 110 and 140 mg/dL is within the random blood sugar normal range. If the level is between 140 and 200 mg/dL, the person is at risk of prediabetes. If the value exceeds more than 200 mg/dL, then the person is diagnosed as being diabetic by the physician.

What do the results of a random blood sugar test mean?

If the result shows higher than normal glucose levels, this may mean that you have or are at risk of getting diabetes. 

The higher glucose levels may also be a sign of:

1. Kidney disease
2. Hyperthyroidism
3. Pancreatitis
4. Pancreatic cancer

If the results show lower than normal glucose levels, it may be a sign of:

1. Hypothyroidism
2. Too much insulin or other diabetes medicine
3. Liver disease

If your sugar levels are not normal, it doesn't mean you necessarily have a medical condition needing treatment. High-stress levels and certain medicines can also affect glucose levels. To check what your results mean, talk to your healthcare provider.

What is the cost of the RBS test?

Who performs a random blood sugar test?

A RBS medical test is performed by a healthcare provider, who is also called a phlebotomist and usually performs blood draws, including those for random blood sugar tests, but any healthcare provider trained in drawing blood can perform this task. Usually, the samples are sent to a lab, where a medical laboratory scientist prepares the samples and performs the tests on analyzers or manually.

Why choose Orange Health Labs for RBS test?

Orange Health is one of the most reputed providers of diagnostic and home testing services. You can easily book an appointment from the comfort of your home and schedule a blood test to check the levels of your blood sugar. Along with that, Orange Health also provides other testing options such as FBS testing, CBC testing, RT PCR testing, ESR Testing, etc. Go ahead and book your appointment at Orange Health and have your random testing done today.

How do I book a random blood sugar test at home?

Submit your details and book an RBS test with Orange Health. Our highly trained, professionals and vaccinated eMedics will be at your doorstep within 60 minutes or at the time booked by you.

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Book RBS test at home in Bangalore