postprandial glucose
Pronunciation: post-PRAN-dee-ul
Blood glucose levels measured after eating, typically assessed 2 hours after meal consumption to evaluate glucose tolerance and diabetes control.
Full Definition
Postprandial glucose refers to blood glucose concentrations measured at specific intervals after food consumption, most commonly 2 hours after the start of a meal. This measurement is crucial for diagnosing diabetes and prediabetes through oral glucose tolerance tests and for monitoring glycemic control in patients with diabetes. Elevated postprandial glucose levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk and diabetic complications. Normal postprandial glucose should be less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) in healthy individuals, while levels above 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) at 2 hours indicate diabetes. Postprandial hyperglycemia often precedes fasting hyperglycemia in the development of type 2 diabetes.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate when used as an adjective. Latin-derived term meaning 'after meal'.
In Context
- "The patient's postprandial glucose levels remained elevated despite optimal fasting values." — Diabetes clinic note
- "Monitoring postprandial glucose excursions is essential for comprehensive diabetes management." — Clinical practice guideline