Glucose, 2-Hour Postprandial (Plasma)
This test measures your blood sugar level two hours after eating. It helps assess how your body processes glucose and can be part of diabetes screening or management.
["A 2-hour glucose test helps check how your body handles sugar after eating, useful for diabetes diagnosis or monitoring."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 1517-2
- Short code
- Glucose 2h p 50 g Lac PO SerPl-mCnc
- Synonyms
- Glucose 2h p 50 g Lac PO SerPl-mCnc
- Category
- glucose
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 70
- Ref high
- 100
- Critical range
- 50 N/A – 400 N/A
- Fasting
- true
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- CPT
- 82947
- SNOMED
- 260395008
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why Is This Test Done?
Your healthcare provider may order this test to evaluate your blood sugar response after consuming food. It’s particularly useful for diagnosing or monitoring type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or gestational diabetes. In some cases, it may also be used to assess metabolic health or rule out conditions like reactive hypoglycemia.
What to Expect Before the Test
You’ll likely fast overnight before this test, but your doctor may specify a different preparation if needed. Bring any medications you’re currently taking. On the day of the test, avoid eating or drinking anything except water for at least two hours before your appointment. Your blood will be drawn from a vein in your arm.
How the Test Works
After fasting (or as directed), you’ll eat a meal containing carbohydrates. Your blood is then drawn at two hours post-meal to measure glucose levels. The test measures glucose concentration in your plasma, which is the liquid part of blood without blood cells.
What the Results Mean
Results help determine if your blood sugar levels are within a healthy range after eating. Abnormal results may indicate conditions like diabetes or metabolic disorders. Your healthcare provider will interpret the results in the context of your overall health and medical history.
Reference range
Fasting: 70-100 mg/dLN/A
Fasting for 8-12 hours required. Water is permitted. Avoid chewing gum and smoking before the test.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical Significance: This test is critical for diagnosing diabetes and related metabolic disorders by assessing how your body regulates blood sugar after meals. Elevated or fluctuating glucose levels can indicate impaired glucose tolerance, prediabetes, or diabetes, guiding treatment plans such as diet, medication, or lifestyle changes.
Short name
2-Hour Glucose (Plasma)
Frequently asked questions
What does a normal result mean?
How often should I get this test?
Can I eat or drink anything before the test?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy